General Counsel

At American Financing, we're innovators with imagination. We do what it takes to help customers achieve their financial goals and stay ahead of the competition by challenging ourselves to become more efficient. We are one of the fastest-growing national mortgage lenders because we don't follow the status quo.

About the role

The General Counsel will assist the Company with all general legal matters that arise throughout the organization, its affiliated organizations, and ownership. This role will perform duties consistent with safety, legal, and regulatory requirements as well as Company values, standards, culture, and business practices. This attorney will act with the highest level of integrity and business and personal ethical standards in all aspects of job performance.

Responsibilities

• Advise executive, senior management, and board on all legal matters including federal, state, and local laws such as RESPA, TILA, ECOA, FCRA, HMDA, and other applicable regulations enforced by the CFPB, FHA, and state banking departments.
• Draft all contracts, including warehouse banking agreements, SAAS agreements, loan purchase agreements, and NDAs.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and policies.
• Participate in and influence the decision-making process with appropriate clients and stakeholders.
• Identify and assess legal risks and opportunities within the labor and employment area and advise accordingly.
• Educate clients and stakeholders on legal matters, policies, and procedures.
• Establish and maintain relationships, credibility, and trust with clients, stakeholders, legal team members, and other colleagues.
• Monitor and interpret changes in laws and regulations that affect mortgage lending, servicing, and consumer protection.
• Advise executive leadership and the board of directors on strategy and decision-making.
• Manage all litigation, arbitration, and regulatory enforcement actions.
• Oversee the engagement and supervision of outside counsel.
• Lead resolution of disputes, including customer complaints, vendor issues, and employment matters.
• Work with Compliance, HR, IT, Marketing, and Operations teams to create and ensure compliant internal processes and procedures.
• Help prepare investor disclosures and examination responses.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
• Licensed to practice law in any US State or Puerto Rico; ability to become licensed in CO.
• 7+ years of legal experience, with experience in the mortgage industry, fintech, or financial services.
• Experience with mortgage lending, servicing, and real estate law.
• Experience dealing with regulators like CFPB, FHA, HUD, state banking departments, and attorneys general.
• Experience drafting and negotiating contracts including structured finance, loan purchase and servicing agreements, and SAAS.
• Ability to understand and prioritize business objectives while explaining and understanding legal risk.
• Strong communication (oral and written) and interpersonal skills within and across departments and externally; proactive in providing counsel.
• Sound judgment; ability to clearly make reasoned recommendations.
• Self-starter with good business sense, a sense of urgency, honesty, and integrity.
• Good team player, calm under pressure, self-confident, and inspires confidence from others.
• Willingness to perform legal work for a wide variety of industries, entities, and people.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior in-house experience at a mortgage company.
• Experience with secondary market operations (e.g., Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Ginnie Mae).
• Experience with international tax and transfer pricing.
• Experience in fast-paced or start-up environments.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision
• 401k
• Paid time off and sick days
• Paid holidays
• Long-term paid disability
• Paid maternity and bonding leave
• Full desk equipment provided

Pay

$200-300K annually

Colorado-based candidates preferred, but open to out-of-state applicants.