In-House Legal Counsel, Lending & Compliance

Job Description

Job Description

We are seeking an In-House Legal Counsel attorney to support the day-to-day legal, compliance, and contract needs of a growing specialty consumer finance company.

This is an execution-oriented, hands-on role focused on managing legal risk, supporting compliance operations, and reviewing and negotiating commercial and consumer-facing agreements. The attorney will have broad responsibility across contracts, regulatory compliance, litigation management, and other business matters, with direct exposure to executive leadership.

This is an excellent opportunity for an early- to mid-career attorney with approximately 3–8 years of experience who is interested in developing into a broader in-house legal and compliance leadership role. The attorney will directly supervise the Compliance Manager and work closely with executive leadership, internal operational teams, and external counsel as appropriate.

Contract Review & Negotiation (50%)

• Draft, review, and negotiate a variety of agreements, including:
  • Dealer and business partner agreements
  • Vendor agreements, including agreements with payment processors and technology providers
  • Consumer finance documents and customer agreements
• Develop and standardize contract templates and review processes that support sales and efficient dealer onboarding while appropriately managing legal risk.
• Independently manage routine and lower-risk contract negotiations involving customers, commercial accounts, vendors, and other business partners.
• Participate in higher-risk, higher-value, or more complex negotiations alongside business leaders and external counsel, as appropriate.
• Maintain organized contract-management processes, monitor outstanding items, and ensure matters are followed through to completion.

Specialty Finance Compliance Oversight (30%)

• Lead and support the company's compliance program, including direct supervision and development of the Compliance Manager.
• Provide legal guidance regarding applicable consumer finance laws and regulatory requirements, including:
  • State lending, leasing, and lease-purchase laws
  • Federal consumer finance requirements, including UDAAP and TILA
• Support audit preparation, regulatory examinations, and responses to regulatory inquiries.
• Review, maintain, and update compliance policies, procedures, disclosures, and related documentation.
• Partner with operational teams to translate legal and regulatory requirements into practical business processes.
• Identify emerging compliance risks and recommend appropriate corrective or preventative action.

Consumer Litigation & Legal Issue Management (15%)

• Manage consumer complaints, disputes, claims, and other legal matters.
• Coordinate and oversee external counsel in connection with litigation and specialized legal matters.
• Participate in negotiations with opposing counsel and provide internal guidance regarding legal exposure, resolution options, and recommended strategy.
• Support documentation and operational practices that strengthen the company's legal defensibility.
• Provide legal support involving:
  • Consumer bankruptcy filings
  • Collections and recovery strategies
  • Creditor claims and related filings
  • Small claims matters
• Recommend when external counsel should be engaged and manage those relationships effectively.

Other Internal Legal Support (5%)

• Provide practical, business-oriented legal guidance to internal teams and support special projects as needed.
• Identify areas of legal or operational risk and recommend or help implement appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Partner with the CFO and other members of management on acquisitions, banking relationships, credit facilities, and other corporate matters.
• Support executive leadership with legal analysis and decision-making on matters affecting company operations and growth.

• Ability to provide practical, business-minded legal guidance rather than overly academic or theoretical analysis.
• Strong judgment and the ability to balance legal risk with operational and organizational growth objectives.
• Ability to work independently and perform at a high level without the infrastructure of a large legal department.
• Strong contract drafting, review, and negotiation skills.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, execution, and follow-through.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple legal matters, deadlines, and priorities simultaneously.
• Ability to communicate complex legal concepts clearly to executives, operational leaders, and non-legal stakeholders.
• Confidence working with external counsel, regulators, auditors, vendors, customers, and opposing counsel.
• Interest in growing into a broader legal and compliance leadership role over time.

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
• License to practice law in South Carolina.
• Approximately 3–8 years of relevant legal experience.
• Experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts.
• Experience independently managing legal matters and providing practical guidance to business stakeholders.
• Experience working with or managing external counsel.

• Experience in consumer finance, financial services, creditor rights, or another regulated industry.
• Experience with consumer finance compliance or regulatory matters.
• Experience involving lease-to-own, installment lending, or non-prime consumer finance.
• Experience with consumer litigation, collections law, or creditor-side bankruptcy matters.
• Experience negotiating dealer agreements, banking agreements, credit facilities, acquisitions, or similar commercial arrangements.
• Previous in-house legal experience or a demonstrated interest in transitioning to an in-house environment.
• Previous experience supervising or working closely with compliance professionals.