Counsel - Equipment Finance

Trinity Capital Inc. (NYSE: TRIN) is an international alternative asset manager that seeks to deliver consistent returns for investors through access to private credit markets. Trinity Capital sources and structures investments in well-capitalized growth-oriented companies. With five distinct business verticals — Tech Lending, Equipment Finance, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Sponsor Finance, and Asset Based Lending — Trinity Capital stands as a long-term trusted partner for innovative companies seeking tailored debt solutions. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, Trinity Capital’s dedicated team is strategically located across the United States and in Europe. For more information on Trinity Capital, please visit trinitycapital.com and stay connected to the latest activity via LinkedIn .

Job Description

We are looking for a talented finance attorney to assist with documentation and negotiation on transactions that are core to our equipment finance business. This person will draft, help negotiate and close agreements for equipment finance transactions, working closely with the business team and Deputy General Counsel for Equipment Finance to see those deals through to a successful closing. They will also handle the ongoing legal needs of our existing equipment finance portfolio – follow-on fundings, payoffs and paydowns, amendments and modifications – along with broker agreements and NDAs.
This person will conduct due diligence such as legal research and contract/document review on potential borrowers and will support special projects related to the Equipment Finance vertical as needed. The successful candidate will be pragmatic and business-minded, will build strong relationships with Trinity’s internal stakeholders, borrowers, and brokers, and will stay current on legal developments in equipment finance, keeping the legal team in the loop on anything relevant.

This role will report to the Deputy General Counsel, Equipment Finance and is based 100% onsite in downtown Phoenix, AZ.

Responsibilities

• Support the documentation and closing process for loans in our Equipment Finance verticals, including drafting transaction documents in coordination with outside counsel.
• Assist and collaborate with internal teams in connection with loan structuring, underwriting and due diligence.
• In coordination with the Portfolio Management team, support loan compliance and noncompliance by portfolio companies, including drafting loan amendments and modifications as needed.
• Assist with workout scenarios and collection strategies on distressed loans, potentially including foreclosures, bankruptcies, receiverships and assignments for the benefit of creditors.
• Liaise with outside counsel, being mindful of outside counsel budgets and spend.

Internal Operations & Legal Research

• Assist in the development of streamlined and improved procedures, processes and metrics.
• Review, update and improve upon current legal templates and forms.
• Collaborate with all Trinity departments to ensure legal documentation is consistent with business needs and concerns.
• Research legal issues in a variety of areas related to secured debt financing and advise the Deputy General Counsel and senior management on recommendations.
• Maintain a strong working knowledge of all legal and regulatory compliance issues as they pertain to this position, including but not limited to UCC Article 9.
• Assist on special projects, as needed.

Characteristics

• Deal-oriented and decisive : moves transactions forward and knows when to elevate versus when to get it done.
• Skilled negotiator: proven ability to identify and allocate risk and make practical, business-driven decisions.
• Business-minded : instinct is to find a path forward, not create friction.
• Intellectually curious : energized by operating across verticals and learning new areas.
• Collaborative and positive: thrives in a team-first environment and brings a constructive, can-do attitude to the work.
• Self-directed : takes ownership, manages competing priorities independently, and follows through.

Experience

• J.D. degree from an accredited law school and active membership in one state bar with eligibility to register in Arizona as in-house counsel.
• 3 – 5 years of practice as a transactional attorney at a firm with a nationally recognized finance practice (or a combination of firm and in-house experience), with 1+ years of experience with secured finance transactions.
• Command of legal issues related to secured lending, including but not limited to UCC Article 9.
• Practical business judgment, critical thinking, and common sense.
• Strong written and oral communication skills to both legal and non-legal audiences.

Preferred Experience

• Mix of law firm and in-house experience.
• Experience with debt and/or equity transactions for growth-stage companies.
• Restructuring and loan workout experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in Finance or Accounting.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit, stand, talk, utilize a computer, and read computer screens for extended periods of time
• Ability to lift up to 20 lbs.

Other

• Minimal (<5%) or no expected travel.

Trinity is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We strive to create a positive and collaborative work environment where creativity and innovationcan thrive.