Legal Counsel

Brief Description

The Counsel provides legal, governance, compliance, and contract management support to FPI (Financial Partners Inc.) and its Association customers. The role is responsible for overseeing contract management, advising leadership on certain legal and regulatory matters, supporting corporate governance, and strengthening compliance infrastructure across the organization. This role manages and develops the Paralegal and Compliance Specialist.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Oversee contract management, including workflows, templates, risk-based review standards, and process improvements.
• Draft, review, and negotiate commercial agreements and transactional documents, and identify legal risks with recommended mitigation strategies.
• Implement efficiency initiatives, including master agreements and legal technology solutions.
• Develop and support enterprise risk mitigation efforts, including cyber incident response and compliance framework enhancements.
• Draft employee agreements and assist with immigration compliance.
• Manage and develop the Paralegal and Compliance Specialist.
• Oversee policy administration processes.
• Ensure backup coverage for regulatory critical functions.
• Provide legal guidance across governance, contracting, compliance, and operational initiatives.
• Perform other related job duties as assigned.

Managerial Functions

• Oversee the Legal Department’s operations to ensure alignment with organizational policies while facilitating effective communication, collaboration, continual improvement, and knowledge sharing within the Department and across organization.
• Provide clear direction, goals, and priorities to direct reports while mentoring them to enhance their skills and support their professional development.
• Foster a positive and inclusive work environment that supports employee engagement.
• Promote and model compliance with workplace standards, and ethical practices in all people management activities.
• Manage administrative responsibilities, including reviewing and approving weekly timecards, processing time‑off requests, tracking compliance tasks, and supporting team adherence to organizational policies and deadlines.
• Conduct semiannual performance reviews of direct reports by setting and communicating clear expectations and objectives, monitoring performance against goals, providing continuous feedback, and addressing performance issues promptly and effectively.

Requirements

• Juris doctorate required with 8+ years of experience in corporate counsel capacity.
• Must be licensed attorney and a member of the MA Bar Association.
• High attention to detail and excellent analytical skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills. A high degree of interpersonal skills, time management, project management and organization skills are necessary.
• Self‑starter, proven leadership ability, history of high level/quality performance and accomplishments.
• Ability to work independently with limited direction and interact with all levels of the organization.

Essential Functions

• Ability to report to work in person and to attend work‑related functions/activities.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to work at a desk and use a computer for extended periods.
• Ability to lift, carry, and move objects up to 10 pounds occasionally.
• Ability to occasionally travel as required.
• Ability to type and utilize various software programmes efficiently and operate general office equipment.
• Ability to work in an office setting with moderate noise levels.
• Ability to work scheduled hours and overtime as needed.
• Hybrid or remote work arrangements: This role has been designated as a Hybrid role, which gives employees the opportunity to work from home on Mondays and Fridays and working in the office on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
• Exceptions to the designated work arrangement may be made based on business needs.
• Ability to concentrate and focus on details when reviewing documents, analysing data, and performing computer‑based tasks.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines while maintaining accuracy and efficiency.
• Ability to problem‑solve efficiently and make sound decisions.
• Ability to manage job‑related stress and interactions with clients, colleagues, or external parties.
• Ability to communicate ideas clearly in both verbal and written form.
• Ability to work with others in a collegial and collaborative manner.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their position.

Summary

• All roles require periodic travel to Springfield, MA for company meetings, events, and team activities.

Farm Credit Financial Partners, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, national origin, sex or gender, religion, pregnancy, marital status, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.