General Counsel (Fort Worth)

Company Information

Company Information: Equify Financial is a privately-owned, independent specialty finance company based in Fort Worth, Texas. We tailor and personalize our services for each client to build a strong relationship and a strong future for their business. We are an independent, collateral-based lender that can service customers at every financial stage of their business. With over 180 years of combined experience in the equipment finance industry, we can provide an extensive amount of knowledge and an in-depth understanding of our customers’ financial circumstances. We help our clients identify areas of growth and find creative solutions that bring more capital to their businesses.

Position Summary

Position Summary: The General Counsel role will serve as Equify Financial’s lead legal representative and strategic advisor to the CEO and Board. This role is responsible for multi‑entity legal strategy, risk management, regulatory compliance, and transactional oversight across Equify’s core equipment finance platform and affiliated businesses (SaaS, insurance, ABL/factoring, and special situations). This role is heavily focused on litigation management, bankruptcy matters, workouts, restructures, and enforcement actions across Equify’s equipment finance, asset‑based lending, and special situations portfolios. Long term, the role will move the company from founder‑managed legal decisions to a disciplined, institutional‑grade legal function that supports scalable growth toward a $1B+ portfolio. This person will serve as lead counsel for all Equify companies, including but not limited to Risk, Business Funding, Real Estate, and Innova.

Responsibilities

• Serve as principal legal advisor to the CEO and Board of Directors
• Oversee all litigation, disputes, and enforcement actions, including as principal in‑house litigation counsel for Equify Financial and its affiliated entities
• Draft, negotiate, and manage forbearance agreements, settlement agreements, restructuring documents, and litigation resolutions
• Prepare and review board materials, resolutions, consents, and governance documentation
• Support Credit Committee and executive leadership with legal risk analysis on stressed or non‑performing assets
• Provide legal guidance on credit agreements, loan documents, guarantees, and remedies with an emphasis on enforceability and downside protection
• Anticipate legal risks within the portfolio and implement proactive strategies to prevent disputes or value erosion
• Maintain corporate entity structure, bylaws, operating agreements, and cap tables. Lead negotiation and drafting of credit agreements, leases, loan documents, vendor, SaaS, insurance, partnership contracts, and sales team employment agreements
• Support M&A, capital raises, warehouse lines, securitizations, and strategic partnerships
• Enable faster deal execution without compromising compliance
• Support new product launches, territory expansions, and adjacent business lines
• Anticipate legal issues before they become growth constraints
• Reduce legal cycle time on deals and contracts
• Clean regulatory posture with no material findings
• Lower outside counsel spend through internalization and standardization
• Maintain a fully documented, board‑level governance structure
• Support a scalable legal framework ready for securitization, capital markets, or PE involvement
• Own compliance across equipment finance, commercial lending regulations, UCC, lien perfection, collateral enforcement, state‑by‑state licensing requirements, privacy, data security, and SaaS‑related compliance
• Interface with regulators, auditors, and outside counsel as needed
• Design and maintain compliance frameworks, policies, and internal controls
• Standardize contract templates to reduce friction and risk
• Ensure commercial terms align with portfolio risk, ROA targets, and growth strategy
• Manage outside counsel relationships and legal spend
• Develop early‑warning risk frameworks to prevent disputes
• Support workouts, restructures, and recoveries alongside Credit and Special Assets teams
• Advise leadership on executive compensation, incentive plans, employment law, terminations, HR policies, non‑competes, non‑solicits, and IP protection
• Partner with HR to maintain compliant employee handbooks and policies

Required Education, Experience, and Qualifications

• At least five (5) years of lead corporate counsel experience in commercial finance, equipment leasing, banking, or private credit, with at least ten (10) years of legal experience overall
• Experience supporting $500MM+ balance sheet businesses, regulated financial services environments, and high‑growth or PE‑backed companies
• Business‑first mindset with strong risk judgment
• Comfortable operating at both strategic and tactical levels
• Excellent communicator with executives and boards
• Ability to say “yes” safely, not just “no.”
• High integrity, discretion, and ownership mentality

Working Conditions & Benefits

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times
• Positions self to install equipment, including under desks
• Moves throughout the building to access files
• Must be able to comprehend and follow written and oral instructions
• Must be able to complete tasks even with frequent interruptions
• Must be able to use discretion and independent judgment as needed
• Must be able to speak clearly on the phone and to fellow workers
• Competitive Compensation Package
• Medical + Dental + Vision Coverage
• 401K + Company Match
• Life Insurance + Long Term Disability Coverage – 100% Company Paid
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Wellness Check Program – Insurance Premium Discounts
• EAP Resources
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Time Off (PTO)

Legal Disclaimer

This job description should not be interpreted as an exhaustive list of responsibilities or as an employment agreement between the employer and the employee. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification and are subject to change as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change. Any essential functions of this position will be evaluated as necessary should an employee/applicant be unable to perform the functions or requirements due to a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Reasonable accommodation for the specific disability will be made for the employee/applicant when possible.

I acknowledge that I have read and understand the description of this position and have had the opportunity to ask my supervisor about any points I did not understand. I hereby state that I can perform the essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Equal Opportunity Employer. This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.