Assistant General Counsel & Assistant Secretary - Institutional Investments

About the role

The Northwestern Mutual Law Department is seeking an experienced, agile, and solution-oriented investment attorney to join a diverse, challenging, and fast-paced practice. This attorney will advise the Company on a wide range of issues as it transforms how clients experience financial security. As a member of the Law Department’s Institutional Investments Team, the role supports the Company’s $300+ billion investment portfolio, capital markets initiatives, and other transactions.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal support for the 720 East collateralized loan obligation (CLO) platform, including reviewing offering memorandums, indentures, engagement letters, warehouse agreements, collateral management agreements, control agreements, and other investment-related documents.
• Provide legal support for a wide range of asset management activities for the 720 East CLO platform and general account investment portfolio, including amendments and waivers, restructurings, bankruptcies, realizations, regulatory matters, and managing the CLO platform’s participation in liability management exercises.

Requirements

• At least five years of legal experience in one or more of the following areas: collateralized loan obligations, corporate finance, commercial lending, structured finance, or bankruptcy/restructurings.
• Ability to analyze legal issues, synthesize complex information, and provide solution-oriented legal advice to business professionals.
• Juris Doctorate degree with an exemplary academic record; a license to practice law in Wisconsin or a commitment to become licensed within the first year of employment is required.
• Flexibility and adaptability to evolving business needs.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, a highly analytical and curious mind, creativity, comfort with ambiguity, integrity, high ethical standards, and a positive demeanor.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively in a team environment and work autonomously on multiple tasks.
• A keen problem-solving approach using sound legal reasoning and practical business judgment to balance risks and benefits for all stakeholders.

Skills

• Accountability: Holds self and direct reports accountable for measurable, high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results. Sets objectives, prioritizes work, delegates tasks, and accepts responsibility for mistakes.
• Attention to Detail: Focuses on specific details to spot and correct errors, ensuring work surpasses quality expectations through thorough proofreading.
• Continuous Improvement: Identifies opportunities for improvement, executes solutions, and measures impact to refine existing practices and processes.
• Cross-Functional Partnering & Planning: Facilitates collaboration, communication, and coordination with teams across functions to achieve common goals.
• Risk Assessment & Identification: Leverages industry knowledge to identify hazards, assess severity, and evaluate risks to the business.

Benefits

• Be part of a diverse, inclusive, and nationally recognized Law Department with 130+ members and a culture that values every background and perspective.
• Work in-house on high-impact projects with minimal reliance on outside counsel and direct engagement in business strategy.
• Competitive compensation, annual bonus eligibility, and opportunities for career growth.
• Join a Fortune 500 leader with $378 billion in assets and $38 billion in revenues.
• Flexible work schedules, concierge service, and comprehensive benefits.
• Employee resource groups and a commitment to a culture of belonging.

Pay

Compensation ranges for this role are as follows:

• Standard Pay Structure: $176,000.00 – $264,000.00
• Structure 110 (Geographic Specific): $193,600.00 – $290,400.00
• Structure 115 (Geographic Specific): $202,400.00 – $303,600.00

Final salaries are based on skills, experience, market conditions, location, and other factors uncovered during the hiring process.