Financial Services Associate Attorney – Fintech & Payments

Direct Counsel is seeking a junior to mid-level Financial Services Associate Attorney to join an Am Law firm’s highly regarded Financial Services practice in its New York or Washington, D.C. office. This opportunity is ideal for an attorney with a demonstrated interest in financial services and fintech transactions, particularly involving payments, lending, banking partnerships, and digital assets.

Responsibilities:

• Advise banks, fintech companies, payment processors, and cryptocurrency and digital asset issuers and platforms on complex commercial and strategic transactions.

• Structure, draft, review, and negotiate strategic partnership agreements involving payments, deposits, and lending products.

• Work on transactions involving Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) agreements, co-brand credit card agreements, digital asset wallets, and stablecoin infrastructure.

• Advise clients on merchant acquiring agreements, data aggregation agreements, network incentive agreements, and BIN sponsorship agreements.

• Independently manage components of transactional matters and provide practical legal guidance to clients.

• Collaborate with attorneys across practice groups to support innovative financial services and fintech transactions.

Qualifications:

• Junior to mid-level attorney with experience or a demonstrated interest in financial services and fintech.

• Familiarity with strategic partnerships involving payments, deposits, and lending products.

• Experience with one or more of the following: BaaS agreements, co-brand credit card agreements, digital asset wallets, stablecoin infrastructure, merchant acquiring agreements, data aggregation agreements, network incentive agreements, or BIN sponsorship agreements.

• Strong analytical, drafting, and communication skills.

• Ability to independently manage components of transactions.

• Admission to the bar in the state where practicing or eligibility to waive in.

Location: New York, NY; Washington, D.C. (other U.S. offices may be considered on a case-by-case basis).

Compensation: $260,000-$390,000 annually, depending on experience and office location, plus potential discretionary bonus and comprehensive benefits.