Senior Legal Counsel

Overview

This role involves managing a portion of a litigation portfolio, with primary responsibility for single-plaintiff matters, along with some class action and regulatory-side work. The attorney will provide strategic legal counsel to business and operational stakeholders, including guidance on litigation trends, emerging legal and regulatory developments, and risk mitigation strategies impacting the student lending and consumer financial services industries.

Key responsibilities include overseeing outside counsel, supporting regulatory investigations, conducting legal research and analysis, and partnering cross-functionally to address legal, compliance, and operational issues.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portion of the litigation portfolio—primarily single-plaintiff matters—addressing claims involving alleged violations of:
  • Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
  • Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)
  • Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA)
  • Various state consumer protection and/or deceptive trade practices laws
• Coordinate with and supervise outside counsel across all phases of litigation, including:
  • Case strategy
  • Pleadings
  • Discovery
  • Motion practice
  • Settlement negotiations
  • Hearings and trial preparation
• Assist in review of litigation threats, including fact development and document review; where appropriate, pursue resolution strategies to mitigate risk and minimize litigation spend
• Analyze litigation and regulatory trends affecting the student loan servicing industry and advise internal clients on emerging legal risks, enforcement priorities, and compliance considerations
• Assist in developing and implementing litigation strategy, dispute resolution approaches, and risk mitigation initiatives aligned with organizational objectives
• Support senior in-house Legal teams and outside counsel in responding to examinations, investigations, and information requests from federal and state regulators and government agencies
• Provide practical, risk-based legal advice to business stakeholders and executives regarding litigation exposure, case developments, and operational impacts
• Conduct legal research and prepare written analyses of federal and state laws, regulations, and case law impacting the student loan servicing industry, including areas related to servicing, collections, credit reporting, consumer protection, and privacy
• Oversee subpoena responses, document preservation notices (legal holds), and other legal process matters
• Draft, review, and revise litigation-related policies, procedures, and internal guidance documents
• Monitor and report on key litigation metrics and significant case developments to senior in-house Legal colleagues and business stakeholders
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to improve business practices and reduce recurring litigation and complaint trends
• Provide training and guidance to business personnel on litigation process, minimizing litigation risk, relevant legal developments, and records retention
• Maintain current knowledge of developments in consumer financial services law and the student loan servicing industry to support strategic decision-making

Minimum Requirements

• Doctor of Jurisprudence from a nationally accredited school of law and current membership in good standing in at least one state bar
• Ability to obtain admission to the MO Bar in a timely manner if not currently licensed in MO
• At least 5 years of experience as a litigator (law firm or in-house)
• Must be a U.S. citizen with an active 6C Public Trust Security Clearance or the ability to obtain this level of clearance
• Ability to travel per business needs, including to support outside counsel on location for depositions, arbitrations and/or trial, as needed
• Experience handling all phases of commercial litigation, including pleadings, discovery, depositions, motion practice, trial preparation, and settlement negotiations
• Drafted and argued substantive motions, including motions to dismiss, motions for summary judgment, and discovery and evidentiary motions in both state and federal courts
• Conducted witness interviews; prepared fact and expert witnesses for depositions and trial testimony; taken and defended depositions
• Negotiated favorable dispute resolutions through mediation, arbitration, and direct settlement discussions, with an emphasis on cost-effective outcomes

Additional Qualifications

• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Excellent drafting, organization, and time-management skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products such as Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint, along with typical office computer skills
• Self-motivated team player with a high degree of professionalism and ability to work well under pressure in a volume practice

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience within the student loan industry or consumer loan servicing industry
• Experience managing outside counsel, litigation budgets, and case reporting while ensuring alignment with organizational goals and efficient use of resources
• Experience in a volume litigation practice with the ability to oversee a robust number of cases with minimal supervision
• Preference for candidates within one of the following: MO/PA/IN/TX/DE/NY

Location

Travel may be required, including to support outside counsel on location in the management of legal matters, such as attendance at depositions, arbitrations and/or trial, on an as-needed basis.