Corporate Counsel

Job Description:

Upbound Group

Upbound Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: UPBD) is a technology and data-driven leader in accessible and inclusive financial solutions that address the evolving needs and aspirations of underserved customers. The company’s operating units — Acima, Brigit, and Rent-A-Center — enable consumer transactions across both digital and store-based channels, including more than 2,300 retail locations in the U.S., Mexico, and Puerto Rico.

Upbound Group, Inc. is headquartered in Plano, Texas.

Corporate Counsel

Job Purpose

The Corporate Counsel provides legal support across the Company’s business operations, with responsibilities spanning contracts, compliance, litigation, regulatory matters, and general legal advisory support. This role partners with senior legal and compliance team members, business stakeholders, operations teams, and outside counsel to identify and manage legal risk, support strategic initiatives, and help ensure business activities align with applicable legal, regulatory, and internal standards. Counsel assists with drafting and reviewing contracts, managing disputes and litigation matters, supporting audits and investigations, advising internal stakeholders, and improving Legal team processes through practical tools, technology, and workflow enhancements.

Key Responsibilities

General Legal Support and Contract Management

• Draft, review, revise, and negotiate commercial agreements and other legal documents, including MSAs, SOWs, licensing agreements, Acima referral agreements, NDAs, and related materials.
• Help ensure legal documents, business practices, and stakeholder guidance reflect applicable legal requirements, internal policies, and business expectations.
• Use AI and related technologies to develop templates, clause libraries, workflow tools, and other resources that support efficient legal review and matter management.
• Use technology tools to support coworker self-service for routine Legal needs, including NDAs, FAQs, intake requests, and other recurring legal processes.

Compliance and Risk Mitigation

• Support compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, including consumer protection laws such as UDAAP, TCPA, and FCRA.
• Assist in due diligence, compliance evaluations, and legal risk assessments for new vendors, third-party relationships, business initiatives, and operational processes.
• Identify, assess, and proactively address legal, regulatory, operational, and contractual risk exposure.

Policy Development, Process Improvement, and Legal Operations

• Contribute to the development and maintenance of internal policies, playbooks, templates, legal libraries, and standard operating procedures.
• Recommend process improvements to enhance Legal team efficiency, consistency, accuracy, and responsiveness.
• Train internal stakeholders on legal processes, compliance expectations, contract practices, and related business requirements.
• Use technology and other resources to improve legal workflows and business-facing Legal team processes where appropriate.

Litigation Management

• Assist in managing the Company’s high-volume nationwide consumer litigation docket, including small claims, arbitration, and class actions.
• Manage cases via Legal Tracker™ or other case management software applications.
• Draft case briefs outlining account history, legal issues, policy violations, and settlement recommendations.
• Coordinate and assist with deposition and trial preparation, organize exhibits, and prepare witnesses.
• Coordinate or support representation at arbitration hearings before the AAA, as needed.
• Support claim settlements, including negotiation, preparation and execution of settlement agreements, and confirmation that settlement terms are satisfied.

Consumer Claims & Audit Support

• Assist in the investigation of claims, gather supporting documents, draft responses, and collaborate with compliance on emerging trends.
• Manage responses to state and federal agency audits and investigations, and facilitate remediation efforts as necessary.

Subpoena & Legal Records Management

• Respond to subpoenas for consumer regulatory matters, including intake, document compilation, redaction, notarization, and timely production.
• Ensure records are in compliance with court orders and internal procedures.

Legal Guidance & Internal Support

• Serve as the first point of legal contact for store locations and internal departments (tax, fleet, HR, social media, etc.).
• Provide legal guidance on TCPA, FDCPA, FCRA, UDAAP, and civil procedures nationwide.
• Advise on small claims filing and defense strategies.
• Advise stakeholders on legal risk, liability, compliance considerations, and contractual rights and obligations.
• Support coordination among internal business teams, Legal team members, and external legal counsel on contract, litigation, compliance, and advisory matters.
• Support Legal team special projects and engagements involving Franchising, HR, Real Estate, IT, and other internal stakeholders.

Job Requirements

• Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Currently admitted to practice law by the bar of at least one US state; no discipline history.
• 1-3 years of legal experience in a law firm or in-house setting, with experience in contracts, litigation, compliance, regulatory, or general corporate legal support.
• Strong business judgment and ability to provide sound litigation and commercial guidance.
• Demonstrated ability to draft, review, analyze, and manage legal documents and matters independently.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and Legal Tracker™ preferred.

• Ability to collaborate effectively with senior leaders, stakeholders, outside counsel, and team members across the company.

Skills & Abilities

• Strong legal research, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple cases and meet deadlines independently.
• Effective communicator with all levels of internal and external personnel.
• Demonstrated leadership and mentoring abilities.
• Bilingual in English/Spanish is a plus.

Sponsorship

Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

Upbound Group is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.