Legal Counsel - Litigation

Job Description

Job Description

Position Overview

Join our dynamic North American Legal Department and help shape the future of commercial finance across the United States and Canada. As a legal advisor and business partner, your primary focus will be supporting litigation, dispute resolution, bankruptcy, workouts, restructuring, risk management, legal operations and process improvement activities throughout North America. This role partners closely with business stakeholders, operations teams, asset management teams, compliance professionals, IT personnel, HR, paralegals and outside counsel.

Additional Responsibilities

Provide legal support across equipment finance, commercial lending, leasing, supplier disputes, corporate governance, entity management, data privacy, employment matters, compliance, investigations, records management, legal technology initiatives and operational legal support affecting U.S. and Canadian operations.

Commitment to Internal Control

Maintain strict adherence to North American internal control standards and all essential duties of the position.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Litigation & Dispute Resolution: Assist with the management of commercial litigation and pre-litigation disputes from inception through resolution; conduct investigations, legal research, discovery management, settlement evaluations, mediation and resolution support.
• Workout, Restructuring & Creditor Rights Support: Support distressed assets, workouts, collections, restructurings, enforcement actions, forbearance arrangements and recovery initiatives.
• Bankruptcy & Insolvency Matters: Support creditor rights initiatives, bankruptcy proceedings, proofs of claim, insolvency disputes and recovery efforts.
• External Counsel Management: Assist in selecting, retaining and managing outside counsel; review budgets, staffing models, invoices and performance.
• Risk Management: Identify, assess and mitigate legal and business risks and develop proactive legal strategies.
• Regulatory & Compliance Support: Support internal investigations, regulatory responses and compliance initiatives across U.S. and Canadian operations.
• Supplier & Third-Party Disputes: Assist procurement and operations teams in resolving commercial disputes and contract enforcement matters.
• Litigation Operations & Legal Process Management: Assist with the development of litigation intake protocols, escalation procedures, reporting processes, outside counsel guidelines and matter-closing procedures.
• Legal Hold, Information Governance & E‑Discovery: Assist with the implementation and administration of legal hold software; develop preservation workflows, custodian notices, audit procedures, document collection and e-discovery processes.
• Paralegal Coordination & Matter Administration: Work closely with paralegal(s) on litigation matter creation, discovery, subpoenas, legal holds, records collection, reporting and matter administration.
• Knowledge Management, Playbooks & SOPs: Create litigation playbooks, legal department procedures, workflows, precedent libraries and knowledge repositories.
• Template Development & Standardized Documentation: Draft and maintain settlement agreements, mutual releases, demand letters, preservation letters, legal hold notices, reservation of rights letters, separation agreements, workout agreements, forbearance agreements, investigation forms, subpoena response templates, dispute intake questionnaires, NDA templates and business-facing legal request forms.
• Business Unit Legal Support & Training: Create legal intake forms, guidance documents and training regarding litigation avoidance, records retention, legal holds, privilege, investigations and dispute escalation.

• Department Operations: Support legal technology, AI tools, matter management systems, budget reporting and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Professional Development: Remain informed regarding litigation, bankruptcy, restructuring, creditor rights, privacy, compliance and legal technology developments.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Provide timely and accurate litigation and related support for U.S. and Canadian operations.
• Achieve efficient and cost-effective management of litigation matters and outside counsel.
• Successfully implement and maintain legal hold processes, templates, playbooks and procedures.
• Build strong partnerships with Operations, Asset Management, Compliance, HR and IT teams.
• Reduce litigation risk and support favorable dispute outcomes.
• Complete legal projects accurately and on time.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong understanding of commercial litigation, dispute resolution, creditor rights, bankruptcy, workouts and restructurings.
• Knowledge of commercial lending, equipment finance, leasing and secured transactions.
• Familiarity with UCC Article 2A, Article 9 and relevant Canadian secured transaction frameworks.
• Experience working with outside counsel and cross-functional business teams.
• Strong drafting, negotiation, legal research and analytical skills.
• Experience developing templates, procedures and guidance materials.
• Familiarity with e-discovery, legal holds, information governance and records management.
• Experience with legal technology platforms, matter-management solutions and AI-enabled legal tools.

Competencies

• Initiative-taking Problem Solver
• Exceptional Communication
• Critical Thinking & Cognitive Ability
• Analytical & Synthesis Skills
• Situational Awareness
• Relationship Building
• Technical & Professional Excellence
• Project Management
• Process Improvement Mindset
• Technology Proficiency

Education and Experience

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) or Canadian LL.B./J.D.
• 5–8 years of experience in commercial litigation, workouts, bankruptcy, creditor rights, restructuring, equipment finance, commercial finance or related areas.
• Prior law firm, in-house, or hybrid experience preferred.
• Experience supporting multi-jurisdictional U.S. and Canadian operations preferred.

Licensing and Certification

• Licensed and in good standing to practice law in a U.S. state and/or Canadian province, or eligible for necessary in-house authorization.

Tools and Equipment Used

• Computer, copier, scanner, phone and other standard office equipment.

Location and Working Hours

• Position based inItasca, Illinois.
• Full-time exempt position requiring flexibility to support North American operations.
• Standard work week is 40 hours; additional hours may be necessary during peak periods, court proceedings, or special projects.

Travel

• Occasional travel to within the U.S. and Canada related to litigation matters, mediations, hearings, business meetings, training programs and conferences.

Physical Demands

• Digital dexterity and hand/eye coordination in operation of office equipment.
• Light lifting and carrying supplies, files and materials.
• Ability to communicate effectively with customers and colleagues.
• Ability to travel as necessary to perform responsibilities.

The job description does not constitute an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an 'at will' relationship and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

The position is exempt and the salary will be between $149,500.00 and $180,000.00 with an opportunity to earn a discretionary annual bonus.

The salary range is determined and based on internal equity, market data/ranges, applicant's skills, prior relevant experience and education.

Additional benefits:

- Medical, Dental, and vision plans

- 401(k) and matching

- Paid Time Off

- Company Paid Life Insurance

- Employee Assistance Program

- Training and Development Opportunities

- Employee Discounts