What are the responsibilities and job description for the Associate Director, Legal (Corporate Counsel) position at Cambridge Investment Research, Inc.?
Job Summary
The Associate Director of Legal plays a critical role in supporting a fast-growing financial services organization by delivering practical, business-focused legal guidance across a wide range of initiatives. Reporting to Legal and Risk Leadership, this individual partners closely with internal stakeholders to manage complex legal matters, including contract drafting and negotiation, regulatory analysis, and advisory support tied to strategic business activities such as M&A, vendor oversight, and risk mitigation.
This role is ideal for a proactive attorney who thrives in a dynamic environment and is energized by balancing day-to-day legal needs with longer-term strategic priorities. With the firm experiencing significant growth in both revenue and regulatory complexity, the Associate Director of Legal will help scale the legal function, protect the organization, and enable continued expansion.
Key Deliverables And Responsibilities
The ideal candidate is a collaborative and business-minded attorney who brings strong analytical skills, sound judgment, and a solutions-oriented approach to legal challenges. They are comfortable navigating ambiguity, managing competing priorities, and translating complex regulatory requirements into actionable guidance for non-legal partners. With experience in financial services, securities law, or a similarly regulated environment, they are adept at contract work, regulatory research, and cross-functional collaboration.
This individual is curious, adaptable, and motivated to grow with an evolving organization—someone who sees legal as a strategic enabler rather than a gatekeeper. They communicate with clarity and confidence, build trusted relationships across the business, and take ownership of their work while contributing to a high-performing, team-oriented legal function.
Certifications
Why Cambridge? Our comprehensive benefits package is designed to support your health, well-being, and work-life balance. We offer paid time off, paid holidays and floating holidays, medical, dental, and vision coverage, short- and long-term disability, and company-paid life insurance. Associates also enjoy volunteer time off, wellness incentives, and additional benefits that support you both personally and professionally.
You can find more details about our comprehensive benefits package here.
Company Overview: At Cambridge, our purpose is simple: to make a difference in the lives of our financial advisors, their clients, and our associates. Founded in 1981, we have nearly 45 years of experience supporting independent financial advisors with industry-leading tools, compliance, and transition services. Guided by our core values—integrity, commitment, flexibility, and kindness—we put financial advisors first in every decision we make.
Cambridge is an internally controlled, growth-focused independent broker-dealer with $254 billion in assets under advisement and $1.97 billion in annual revenues. We rank among the largest and fastest-growing firms in the industry, providing financial advisors with the flexibility, resources, and support to thrive. With home offices in Fairfield, Iowa, and Phoenix, Arizona, and a nationwide reach, our 900 associates maintain a 4:1 advisor-to-associate ratio to ensure personalized service.
Our community of over 4,000 producing financial advisors includes diverse business models—RIA, corporate RIA, hybrid, fee-only, and brokerage—and offers a broad selection of investment solutions with no proprietary products. At Cambridge, we are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and empowering workplace, where 60% of our associates and 18% of our financial advisors are women, and 17% of our advisors are under 40.
Join us to help financial advisors succeed, make an impact, and discover your Something Wonderful. For further information about Cambridge, please visit https://www.joincambridge.com/
Work Environments: This role offers a hybrid schedule, requiring three days weekly in the office. Applicants should be located near one of our hubs (Fairfield, IA or Phoenix, AZ) and must be willing to work this schedule.
Recruiting Agencies: This position is being managed directly by Cambridge’s Talent Acquisition team. We will reach out to our preferred agency partners in the rare instance we require additional talent options. Fees will not be paid for unsolicited submissions. Your respect for this process is appreciated.
The Associate Director of Legal plays a critical role in supporting a fast-growing financial services organization by delivering practical, business-focused legal guidance across a wide range of initiatives. Reporting to Legal and Risk Leadership, this individual partners closely with internal stakeholders to manage complex legal matters, including contract drafting and negotiation, regulatory analysis, and advisory support tied to strategic business activities such as M&A, vendor oversight, and risk mitigation.
This role is ideal for a proactive attorney who thrives in a dynamic environment and is energized by balancing day-to-day legal needs with longer-term strategic priorities. With the firm experiencing significant growth in both revenue and regulatory complexity, the Associate Director of Legal will help scale the legal function, protect the organization, and enable continued expansion.
Key Deliverables And Responsibilities
- Provide research and analysis with respect to issues or problems assigned by department management
- Reviewing and drafting contracts applicable to the Company’s business
- Perform in-depth research, analysis and monitoring of federal and state laws, rules and regulations, within both the securities and the investment advisory area, and assist in ensuring operations are working within the scope of said laws, rules and regulations
- Accurately communicate questions and concerns from financial professionals to senior management and appropriate home office personnel, assisting with any matter presented for consideration
- Coordinate with senior management and the Compliance department on arbitration and mediation issues
- Interface within the company in a professional and courteous manner to achieve the Company’s common goals and ensure communication of those goals and statuses to all necessary parties
The ideal candidate is a collaborative and business-minded attorney who brings strong analytical skills, sound judgment, and a solutions-oriented approach to legal challenges. They are comfortable navigating ambiguity, managing competing priorities, and translating complex regulatory requirements into actionable guidance for non-legal partners. With experience in financial services, securities law, or a similarly regulated environment, they are adept at contract work, regulatory research, and cross-functional collaboration.
This individual is curious, adaptable, and motivated to grow with an evolving organization—someone who sees legal as a strategic enabler rather than a gatekeeper. They communicate with clarity and confidence, build trusted relationships across the business, and take ownership of their work while contributing to a high-performing, team-oriented legal function.
Certifications
- License in good standing with the Iowa Bar.
- Juris Doctorate from an ABA Accredited Law School
- Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Series 7 and Series 24 or 66 required within 18 months of hire.
Why Cambridge? Our comprehensive benefits package is designed to support your health, well-being, and work-life balance. We offer paid time off, paid holidays and floating holidays, medical, dental, and vision coverage, short- and long-term disability, and company-paid life insurance. Associates also enjoy volunteer time off, wellness incentives, and additional benefits that support you both personally and professionally.
You can find more details about our comprehensive benefits package here.
Company Overview: At Cambridge, our purpose is simple: to make a difference in the lives of our financial advisors, their clients, and our associates. Founded in 1981, we have nearly 45 years of experience supporting independent financial advisors with industry-leading tools, compliance, and transition services. Guided by our core values—integrity, commitment, flexibility, and kindness—we put financial advisors first in every decision we make.
Cambridge is an internally controlled, growth-focused independent broker-dealer with $254 billion in assets under advisement and $1.97 billion in annual revenues. We rank among the largest and fastest-growing firms in the industry, providing financial advisors with the flexibility, resources, and support to thrive. With home offices in Fairfield, Iowa, and Phoenix, Arizona, and a nationwide reach, our 900 associates maintain a 4:1 advisor-to-associate ratio to ensure personalized service.
Our community of over 4,000 producing financial advisors includes diverse business models—RIA, corporate RIA, hybrid, fee-only, and brokerage—and offers a broad selection of investment solutions with no proprietary products. At Cambridge, we are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and empowering workplace, where 60% of our associates and 18% of our financial advisors are women, and 17% of our advisors are under 40.
Join us to help financial advisors succeed, make an impact, and discover your Something Wonderful. For further information about Cambridge, please visit https://www.joincambridge.com/
Work Environments: This role offers a hybrid schedule, requiring three days weekly in the office. Applicants should be located near one of our hubs (Fairfield, IA or Phoenix, AZ) and must be willing to work this schedule.
Recruiting Agencies: This position is being managed directly by Cambridge’s Talent Acquisition team. We will reach out to our preferred agency partners in the rare instance we require additional talent options. Fees will not be paid for unsolicited submissions. Your respect for this process is appreciated.
Salary : $90,000 - $110,000