Vice President, Contracts Attorney

Wedbush Securities is one of the largest securities firms and investment banks in the nation. We provide innovative financial solutions through our Wealth Management, Capital Markets, Futures and Advanced Clearing & Prime Services divisions. Headquartered in Los Angeles, California with over 100 offices and more than 80 correspondent offices, our commitment to providing relentless, customized service is the foundation of our consistent growth.

Our Legal Department is seeking a Vice President, Contracts Attorney who will provide effective, responsive, and strategic legal advice on securities, capital markets, and other company matters. It is preferred that this role is in Los Angeles or the Southern California area. This position is open to hybrid work.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Draft, negotiate, review and manage a wide variety of contracts including but not limited to corporate agreements, commercial contracts, and vendor agreements
• Provide advice and counsel on structuring, drafting, negotiating, and interpreting contracts and relevant legal and regulatory requirements
• Work across subject matters and issues supporting the third-party space as well as providing risk-based and business-minded advice to clients
• Identify and analyze complex legal issues, develop conclusions and make recommendations for issue resolution
• Maintain, structure, update, and manage contract templates
• Work directly with business clients and develop an in depth understanding of business unit activities and products
• Support transactional and corporate aspects of the Firm’s broker-dealer, investment advisory, and futures commission merchant activities, and play a role in ensuring the company’s compliance with U.S. laws
• Provide day-to-day legal advice on counsel to business teams on a variety of matters
• Collaborate with other attorneys and other cross-functional partners
• Coordinate and drive completion of contract-related projects, including internal process reviews, and new policy roll-outs
• Receive direction from leaders and exercise independent judgement while developing an understanding of policies and procedures, best practices, and initiatives
• Represent the Firm in disputes in arbitration or other tribunals
• Perform other tasks and duties as assigned

Experience and Skills

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited university
• Strong academic credentials, including a J.D. and license to practice law (in California preferred)
• 4 years of transaction experience
• Experience in financial services
• Demonstrated ability to provide strategic advice and legal counsel on all aspects of contracts law
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with strong attention to detail
• Willingness to think outside of the box and to take on responsibilities outside your wheelhouse
• Strong interpersonal skills, along with the ability to communicate effectively with others at all levels of the organization (experience interacting at a senior level with business management teams a plus)
• Self-motivated with the ability to work well independently
• Ability to effectively and efficiently manage outside counsel
• Ability to support different types of contracts including contracts for novel business arrangements, such as collaboration agreements
• Demonstrated project-based leadership experience
• Fintech experience a plus
• Strong curiosity and willingness to research and understand new topic areas

What We Offer

As part of our overall compensation package, Wedbush Securities offers an array of diverse benefits to all our colleagues. We believe that providing competitive benefit options yields the advantageous reward of establishing a healthy and inclusive foundational work culture.

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with multiple health plan options for you and your family
• Health Savings Account with company-sponsored contributions
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) traditional and dependent care
• Pre-Tax Commuter Benefits
• 401(k) plan with discretionary, competitive company matching and profit-sharing contributions
• Tuition reimbursement up to $5,250/year
• 3 weeks of Paid Time Off
• 2 weeks of Paid Sick Time (may vary by location)
• 10 Paid Holidays
• Charitable Donation Matching Contributions
• Paid Leave (Parental Bonding, Military, Jury Duty, Volunteer Time Off, Disability, etc.)
• FINRA License Sponsorship
• Travel & Employee Assistance and Employee Discount Programs

The reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic location. A reasonable estimate of the current range is $175,000 to $200,000. Colleagues may be eligible for additional, discretionary incentive compensation based on the colleague's and the firm's performance. Decisions regarding compensation are determined on a case-by-case basis and are dependent on a variety of factors including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.

Wedbush Securities (WS) is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. WS does not discriminate based on race, religion, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, registered domestic partner status, uniform service member status, marital status, pregnancy, age, medical condition, disability, genetic information, family care or medical leave status, or any other consideration made unlawful by applicable federal, state, or local laws, or on the basis that an applicant or Colleague is perceived to have these characteristics or is associated with someone who is perceived to have these characteristics. WS aims to foster a culture of inclusion where all Colleagues are valued for their unique contributions to the firm as well as provided equal opportunities to succeed.

Wedbush uses E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities here https://www.e-verify.gov/employees/e-verify-overview

This position is subject to various laws or regulations that impose restrictions or prohibitions for employment with Wedbush due to criminal history. Those laws or regulations include but are not limited to, the following: Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (SEA) Rule 17a-3, et. seq., Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Rules 3110(e), Rule 4530(a), etc., and FINRA Regulatory Notice 07-55.