Assistant Counsel

Description/Job Summary

Join a team focused on the success of our customers, the success of our communities, and the success of each other. Farm Credit East (FCE) is the leading provider of loans and farm advisory services to farm, forest product, fishing, and other agricultural business owners across the northeast with $13.5 billion in total loan volume and $29 million in annual financial services revenue from 18,000 customers across our 8-state territory. We are One Team Working Together with a focus on our five pillars: Outstanding Customer and Employee Experience, Quality Growth, Operational Excellence, Commitment to our Communities, and Protecting Customer Information.

This Assistant Counsel position will support Farm Credit East, ACA's Legal and Compliance departments. The role focuses on consumer compliance, commercial lending, real estate transactions, contract review, and regulatory matters. The Assistant Counsel interacts with staff, senior management, outside legal counsel, and third-party vendors, providing timely and comprehensive legal advice and working on various legal and business matters. Success in this role requires the ability to manage time effectively, balance multiple high-priority assignments, and adapt to shifting demands with professionalism and sound judgment. The Assistant Counsel must demonstrate responsiveness in communication, proactively engage stakeholders, and work cooperatively, efficiently, and thoughtfully to complete projects and deliver sound legal guidance to the Association.

The value drivers for this role are as follows:

• Legal Services delivery
• Effective and timely communication
• Strong organizational skills
• Problem solver
• Managing relationships
• Research and writing skills

Come join a collaborative, customer-focused team at Farm Credit East!

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Legal Service Delivery: Assist in managing legal services, respond to staff questions, and conduct training on legal or regulatory matters.
• Legal and Loan Documentation: Prepare, review, negotiate, and interpret legal documents such as contracts, leases, and agreements.
• Outside Counsel Coordination: Supervise and manage relationships with approved attorneys, provide guidelines and training, and represent the Association at meetings and conferences.
• Consumer Compliance: Work with the Director of Country Living Loans and Compliance Officer to manage compliance policies and procedures, develop training materials, and monitor legislative changes concerning consumer lending laws and regulations.
• Regulatory: Provide guidance on new or revised laws and regulations affecting the Association.
• Litigation Preparation: In conjunction with outside counsel, assist with subpoena responses, review motions and pleadings, and compile documents and materials responsive to discovery requests, as needed.
• Other Duties: Participate in other projects and tasks as assigned.

Job Qualifications and Requirements:

• This position requires a Juris Doctorate law degree and license to practice law (Bar admission in one of the following jurisdictions preferred: CT, NY, MA, RI, NJ, NH, VT or ME).
• 1-3 years of experience in relevant legal fields (e.g., lending, real estate, secured transactions).
• We offer hybrid work options after two weeks of employment with Farm Credit East. Hybrid work options are determined based on job role and balancing the needs of the customers, the team, and individual work performance. This will be reviewed based on manager discretion.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Salary Range: $85,000to $100,000commensurate with experience
• Short-Term Incentive to reward business results
• Retirement Contributions :
  • 401k match up to 6% of salary;or for those unable to take full advantage of the 401(k) match, verified student loan payments may qualify for an employer match in your 401(k) up to 6% of salary
  • Defined Contribution retirement plan funded at 2-9% of salary depending on years of service
• Time Off:
  • 15-25 days of vacation leave per year, depending on years of service
  • 12 days of holiday leave per year
  • 7.5 days of sick leave in your first year, followed by 12 days of sick leave per year thereafter; unlimited rollover of unused sick leave year to year
  • Paid Parental Leave: Up to 80 hours of paid leave for birthing, non-birthing, and adoptive parents
  • Family Care Leave: Additional leave options available under FMLA and company policy
• Health and Insurance:
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, including preventive care and wellness programs to support your overall health and well-being
  • Health Savings Account
  • Life insurance at 2x base pay
  • Accidental Death and Dismemberment insurance at 2x base pay
  • Long-term disability insurance at 2/3 base pay
• Additional Benefits:
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Continuing education and training
  • Employee Assistance Program offering a wide variety of tools and resources

Farm Credit East is an Equal Opportunity Employer. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, parental status, political affiliation, disability status, protected veteran status, genetic information or any other status protected by federal, state or local law. It is our goal to make employment decisions that further the principle of equal employment opportunity by utilizing objective standards based upon an individual's qualifications for a specific job opening. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA"), if you have a disability and would like a reasonable accommodation in order to apply for a position with Farm Credit East, please call 1-800-562-2235 or e-mailFarmCreditCareers@farmcrediteast.com.