Attorney Principal - Investment Advisory / Broker-Dealer Counsel (Retail)

Why USAA?

At USAA, our mission is to empower our members to achieve financial security through highly competitive products, exceptional service and trusted advice. We seek to be the #1 choice for the military community and their families.

Embrace a fulfilling career at USAA, where our core values – honesty, integrity, loyalty and service – define how we treat each other and our members. Be part of what truly makes us special and impactful.

We are proud to support active-duty military spouses. USAA roles may offer remote or hybrid flexibility for active-duty military spouses consistent with applicable policy and business needs.

The Opportunity

We are currently seeking a talented Attorney Principal at our Plano, Texas location.

As a dedicated Attorney Principal working on our Securities Counsel team, as an individual contributor, you will independently and regularly deliver effective, specialized legal advice to senior executive leaders, including the Chief Legal Officer, on highly complex and unique matters of significance in a specific type of law, leveraging deep subject matter expertise and thought leadership. Identifies and manages legal risks in association with USAA’s Risk Appetite and provides legal advice to ensure the company’s activities are conducted in compliance with all applicable laws. Demonstrates mastery of pertinent, nuanced and highly specialized legal expertise to deliver company objectives within the bounds of applied legal advice. Serves as an internal thought leader and domain expert to other attorneys and senior leaders.

We offer a flexible work environment that requires an individual to be in the office 4 days per week. This position can be based in one of the following locations: Plano, TX or San Antonio, TX,

***Relocation assistance is available for this position***

What you'll do:

• Independently leads highly complex, unique and high-risk work assignments that may involve leading virtual, cross- functional teams. Provides solution-oriented legal advice to manage regulatory, compliance and litigation risk to the organization; Serves as primary legal advisor delivering specialized legal advice on relevant matters or projects.

• Engages and collaborates with other internal and external legal experts. Proactively reaches out to colleagues inside and outside of his/her line of business or functional practice group. Autonomously manages and partners with outside counsel to complete assignments. Serves as a legal point of contact and proactively partners with Compliance and other stakeholders to mitigate legal risk.

• Provides legal advice and counsel requiring a high degree of independent legal thought and strategy for resolution including preparation of written legal opinions on high risk and complex matters.

• Demonstrates ownership of area of expertise, proactively educating colleagues regarding changes to laws, regulations and standards and provides guidance on the implications of those changes.

• Stays current on laws, regulations and industry standards and serves as a trusted strategic advisor and thought leader to senior leadership, EC and/or Board members. May independently provide advice directly to the Chief Legal Officer. Stays current on industry movement related to area of expertise.

• Collaborates with and influences key stakeholders, control partners, and other leaders across the enterprise through complex written and verbal communications. May represent USAA in interactions with regulators and other external bodies.

• Substantively reviews work of other attorneys and provides development and guidance to less experienced attorneys, serving as a resource on escalated issues of a complex, unique, or high-risk nature.

• Ensures risks associated with business activities are effectively identified, measured, monitored, and controlled in accordance with risk and compliance policies and procedures.

What you have:

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited school.

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school required.

• Licensed and in good standing to practice law in one state or a territory of the USA.

• 10 years of experience practicing law in a targeted legal discipline OR 8 years of experience practicing law in a targeted legal discipline combined with an additional two years of experience in a business role that is directly related to the targeted legal discipline.

• 5 years of experience leading broad, cross-functional work deliverables of a significant nature.

• Demonstrated understanding of relevant industry knowledge.

• Experience applying relevant industry legal subject-matter expertise to produce innovate solutions for work deliverables.

• Demonstrated strategy development and thought leadership ability to influence senior leaders on matters of legal significance, complexity, and/or risk.

• Demonstrated ability to effectively collaborate with key resources and stakeholders, influencing decisions and managing work to achieve strategic goals.

• Mastery of legal technical skills to include producing clear and concise written material and verbal communication delivery appropriate for senior leaders.

What sets you apart:

• Experience with securities sales and distribution, including the offering of securities and managed accounts to retail clients and the laws and regulations governing those products within a large financial services institution.

• Experience working with the offering and sales of retail retirement products, including ERISA and DOL regulations

• Experience working with broker-dealer and/or investment adviser customer complaint resolution. 

• Experience drafting and/or reviewing broker-dealer and/or investment adviser marketing materials, disclosures, Form ADV and Form BD documents, and policies and procedures applicable to broker-dealers and investment advisers.

• Experience with SEC Rules 15c3-1 and 15c3-3and related filings.

• Knowledge and understanding of the broker-dealer and investment adviser regulatory environment, including experience interacting with a retail bank and affiliate life insurance company. 

• Experience working with SEC Regulation Best Interest (Reg BI), a fiduciary standard of care, Anti-Money Laundering and fraud regulations.

• Experience with life and annuity distribution in relation to financial planning.

• US military experience through military service or a military spouse/domestic partner.

Compensation range: The salary range for this position is: $189,370 - $361,950 .

USAA does not provide visa sponsorship for this role. Please do not apply for this role if at any time (now or in the future) you will need immigration support (i.e., H-1B, TN, STEM OPT Training Plans, etc.).

Compensation: USAA has an effective process for assessing market data and establishing ranges to ensure we remain competitive. You are paid within the salary range based on your experience and market data of the position. The actual salary for this role may vary by location.

Employees may be eligible for pay incentives based on overall corporate and individual performance and at the discretion of the USAA Board of Directors.

The above description reflects the details considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job and should not be construed as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be performed in the job.

Benefits: At USAA our employees enjoy best-in-class benefits to support their physical, financial, and emotional wellness. These benefits include comprehensive medical, dental and vision plans, 401(k), pension, life insurance, parental benefits, adoption assistance, paid time off program with paid holidays plus 16 paid volunteer hours, and various wellness programs. Additionally, our career path planning and continuing education assists employees with their professional goals.

For more details on our outstanding benefits, visit our benefits page on USAAjobs.com.

Applications for this position are accepted on an ongoing basis, this posting will remain open until the position is filled. Thus, interested candidates are encouraged to apply the same day they view this posting.

USAA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.