Overview
This role is part of the organization’s in-house litigation team and involves handling a diverse portfolio of litigation and pre-litigation disputes. The attorney will take reasonable steps to help ensure compliance with company policies and procedures, as well as applicable consumer protection laws and regulations. The position also supports complaint management activities and provides guidance based on lessons learned.
Responsibilities
- Enforce and defend the organization’s interests in litigation and disputed matters, including:
- Managing a diverse portfolio of litigation and pre-litigation complaints (including complaints submitted to the organization for investigation through governmental agencies, the Better Business Bureau, or an email portal)
- Working with team members, customers, dealers, and third-party service providers to de-escalate and resolve disputes
- Retaining, overseeing, and directing the scope of work for outside legal counsel, including negotiating fee arrangements, cost-effective staffing, and setting and executing a litigation strategy
- Performing substantive work related to litigation and pre-litigation disputes (working with experts, editing legal briefs, preparing witnesses, and negotiating settlements)
- Keeping legal management team apprised of, and soliciting input on, significant legal issues
- Execute aspects of the organization’s Complaint Management Program, including:
- Monitoring various listening posts (complaints, industry litigation, and news publications) to enhance compliance with consumer financial protection laws
- Performing complaint trend analyses
- Reporting compliance, coaching, training, and policy opportunities
- Working with attorneys from the Corporate Legal Department to counsel the business on how to reduce risk based on lessons learned
- Summarizing observations for company executives
- Develop expertise in consumer financial protection laws
- Perform legal research as requested and document findings in a formal white paper where appropriate
- Provide legal support informed by periodic performance feedback gathered throughout the organization
Requirements
- Licensed as an attorney to practice law, with a minimum of 5 years as a practicing lawyer with law firm litigation experience
- Litigation experience including engaging in all aspects of written discovery, taking and defending depositions, motion practice, and trial or arbitration experience; also experience working directly with clients
- Excellent professional and academic credentials
- Excellent legal research and writing skills, including familiarity with Westlaw
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in one or more of the following areas: consumer finance law, debt collection, credit reporting, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, commercial contract litigation, and arbitration
- Experience representing clients in matters with state or federal regulators
Compensation & Benefits
- Targeted compensation: $150,000 - $175,000 base salary + annual bonus plan
- Benefits package includes:
- 401(K) match
- Adoption assistance
- Parental leave
- Tuition reimbursement
- Comprehensive medical/dental/vision and many nonstandard benefits
Location
- Work from home
- Occasional planned travel to the Southfield, Michigan office may be required
- Permitted to work from the Southfield, Michigan office if requested by the team member
Work Authorization
This position is not currently open to individuals who require sponsorship now or in the future to work legally for the organization (e.g., H-1b/H-4 or F-1 OPT visa holders).