Senior Staff Counsel

Applicants must have current authorization to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

About the role

The Senior Staff Counsel supports and acts in lieu of the State Managing Attorney (SMA) as needed and is skilled in all aspects of the SMA’s role. The Senior Staff Counsel is an attorney with significant experience in debt collection law practice who assists on special global projects within the business unit and/or enterprise level. This role promotes efficiency and uniformity in collection litigation at the state and national level. It also provides legal support for the Legal Collections’ business unit as requested by the SMA, offers legal advice in connection with the Company's business operations, and supports corporate compliance with laws and regulations governing debt collection and related activities. The Senior Staff Counsel may also manage, train, develop, and support personnel (Bands 2-6) within the state-level office, as directed by the SMA.

Responsibilities

• Create, review, direct, and resolve collection litigation matters cost-effectively by working with business clients and legal support staff; conduct research.
• Assist with special projects for Internal Legal, Legal Outsourcing, or to develop state or global efficiencies.
• Measure project results, reporting progress and outcomes to managers and subordinates.
• Maintain and enhance company reputation with courts, vendors, outside counsel, and consumers.
• Limit company exposure through effective advocacy on behalf of the Company in hearings, trials, and mediations.
• Negotiate with opposing counsel, conduct and respond to discovery, and prepare for and attend hearings and trials.
• Support the SMA and/or Managing Staff Counsel and the legal production team; monitor monthly production goals, report production metrics to senior management, and backfill for the SMA when absent.
• Manage, develop, and train personnel in the state-level office, as directed by the SMA.
• Review standard operating procedures and assist in the review or creation of job aids.
• Provide legal advice to the Company to support compliance with federal, state, and local laws.
• Ensure adherence to Consumer Bill of Rights by enforcing relevant company policies.
• Determine appropriate settlements with consumers experiencing temporary or permanent hardships and communicate with consumers and counsel to encourage financial recovery.
• Perform other duties, as assigned.

Requirements

• Juris Doctorate from an ABA accredited law school.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience practicing debt collection law.
• Licensed to practice in at least 1 state in the United States where Internal Legal Department has footprint.
• Michigan State Bar completed.

Skills

• Extensive knowledge of state and federal debt collection laws.
• Strong execution skills; highly accurate in both written and verbal communication.
• Strong strategic thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
• Demonstrated project management skills.
• Demonstrated people management skills.
• Ability to innovate.
• Ability to make sound judgment and exercise discretion on legal matters.
• Experience in legal operations.
• Strong business acumen.
• Self-motivated and capable of acting as SMA, when necessary.
• Skilled in basic inventory management.

Benefits

• Competitive salary with monthly incentives or annual bonus.
• Paid training and development programs, including MCM Academy, and a promote-from-within philosophy.
• Reward and recognition programs, including informal accolades and formal company-wide awards (e.g., all-inclusive vacations).
• Tuition assistance for degree or coursework related to current or aspirational roles.
• Comprehensive healthcare plans, fitness membership reimbursements, wellness rewards, and weight management programs.
• Up to eight hours of paid time off each year for volunteering, plus volunteer grants and matching financial donations up to $2,500 annually.
• Retirement savings plans to support long-term financial goals.
• New family support, including company-paid leave, new parent flex time, and child back-up care options.
• Team-building events, such as holiday celebrations and department outings.
• Paid and floating holidays, plus generous paid-time-off for work-life balance.

About Us

Headquartered in the United States, Encore Capital Group (Encore) is a publicly traded international specialty finance company operating in various countries around the globe. Through our businesses—such as Midland Credit Management and Cabot Credit Management—we help consumers restore their financial health as we further our mission of creating pathways to economic freedom. Our commitment to building a positive workplace culture and a best-in-class employee experience has earned us accolades, including Great Place to Work® certifications in many geographies where we operate.