Paralegal (Legal)
*Qualified applicants should submit a writing sample along with their resume.
General Summary (What is done and why)
The Paralegal works under the general supervision of and provides support to the Credit Union's General Counsel. Addressing a variety of matters with the Board, Senior Management team, and all Credit Union management. This position supports the General Counsel in all aspects of the organization's operations, including regulatory, contract, privacy, litigation, intellectual property, mergers, and acquisitions, transactional, and governance matters.
Essential Functions, in Priority Order (Majority of duties, but not meant to be all inclusive or prevent other duties from being assigned as necessary)
- Conduct factual and legal research and analysis on various legal issues and regulatory matters, as assigned by the General Counsel. Support the General Counsel to ensure that the Credit Union's policies, procedures, and forms comply with all applicable laws and regulations and partner with business unit leaders to address regulatory, compliance, and legal risks on an ongoing basis. This includes both leading and participating in various organization-wide projects; supporting merger and acquisition activities; maintaining up-to-date knowledge of laws and regulations in the areas of interest to the organization; and remaining informed of legislative, regulatory, and legal developments. Time: 55%
- Under direction of the General Counsel, draft, review, format, and revise contracts and legal documents. Time: 20%
- Develop and coordinate legal operations and knowledge management initiatives, including the Credit Union's database of legal procedures, documents, regulatory and legal research, and other matters. Time: 10%
- Provide guidance to business unit leaders record requests, such as levy, garnishment, subpoena, and other legal process and on matters that affect account management, such as trust, power of attorney, business formation and governance, guardianship, conservatorship, estate, and similar documents. Time: 5%
- Provide administrative support to the General Counsel in litigation matters, including case management and communication with outside counsel. Time: 5%
- Perform other duties as assigned. Time: 5%
Education and Experience (Minimum education and experience required to perform the duties of this position)
- A bachelor's degree or Paralegal Certificate from an accredited organization.
- At least 5-7 years paralegal (or comparable) experience at a financial services company or law firm in areas related to corporate law or financial services.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (Minimum technical and communication skill levels and licenses/certificates normally required to perform the duties of this position)
- The ability to interface with a wide variety of contacts including members, vendors, outside attorneys, senior management, and other organizational employees.
- Agility to address diverse legal issues on a day-to-day basis.
- Strong interpersonal, leadership, negotiating, consulting, analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills to provide actionable information clearly and effectively, including listening and presentation skills.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to handle multiple, high-priority projects with a keen attention to detail.
- Strong work ethic and ability to multi-task, prioritize and follow-through on numerous projects.
- Demonstrates ability to think strategically and creatively, understand business plans and goals, and relate those business plans and goals to legal strategies.
- Ability to provide a high degree of member-focused service to support operating units.
Required Competencies:
- Integrity and Trust
- Business Acumen
- Problem Solving
- Demonstrates Courage
- Organizational Agility
- Customer Focus
- Drive for Results
- Managing Through Systems
Mental Requirements
- High level of decision making in an ambiguous environment.
- Ability to listen and respond with empathy.
- Ability to analyze and evaluate information.
- Goal-oriented, innovative problem solver.
- Creative thinking in developing business process solutions.
- Ability to interpret laws and court decisions.
- Ability to use good judgment and make sound decisions quickly.
- Ability to work under pressure.
- Ability to negotiate settlements and solve problems.
- Ability to understand strategic objectives.
- Ability to concentrate in a multi-task environment.
- Ability to maintain a positive attitude and professional image.
- Ability to train and evaluate results.
Tools and Equipment Used
- All available general office equipment as needed.
- All available computer software and hardware as needed.
Working Relationships/Contacts (Positions with which incumbent has frequent contact)
- Daily, personal/written/phone contact with Senior Management team members.
- Daily, personal/written/phone contact with other department managers.
- Daily, personal/written/phone contact with Credit Union staff.
- Weekly, personal/written/phone contact with Credit Union members.
- Weekly/monthly, personal/written/phone contact with strategic partners.
- Periodic personal/written/phone contact with Credit Union Board of Directors.
Physical Demands (Physical effort generally associated with this position)
Work involves standing and walking for brief periods of time, but most work is done from a seated position. There is potential for eyestrain from reading detailed reports and computer screen. Deadlines, workloads and pressure to achieve goals may cause increased stress levels.
Working Conditions (Typical working conditions associated with this type of work and environmental hazards, if any, that may be encountered in performing the duties of this position)
Internal -- work is normally performed in climate-controlled office environment, where exposure to conditions of extreme heat/cold, poor ventilation, fumes and gases is very limited. Noise level is moderate and includes sounds of normal office equipment (computers, telephones, etc.). No known environmental hazards are encountered in normal performance of duties. Length of day is unpredictable; long hours may be required to accommodate deadlines or special meetings.
External -- Some travel may be required; however, information on environmental conditions is not available.
EEO/AA Employer/VET/Disabled
