Assistant General Counsel - Data, Technology & Litigation

Avant•Chicago, IL

24d•$170,000 - $205,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Avant is seeking an experienced attorney to lead legal support for privacy, artificial intelligence, intellectual property, and consumer litigation. The role is the primary legal partner to Avant’s Privacy Officer and to the Product, Risk, Technology, and Data teams, supporting the company’s data-driven products. It also supports and manages Avant’s enterprise intellectual property strategy, including protection of its proprietary CreditOS™ credit decisioning platform, and oversees consumer claims and disputes. Work is divided across these areas according to business needs, and the attorney is expected to build strong relationships with colleagues and business partners. The attorney will advise on privacy and AI programs and issues, including governance, data practices, applicable laws, AI and automated decision-making, incident implications, and relevant contract terms. The role also supports IP strategy, with emphasis on trade secrets and trademarks, and manages outside counsel and related budgets. Consumer litigation responsibilities span pre-litigation counseling, investigation, discovery, motions, arbitration, and dispute resolution in state and federal jurisdictions. The position involves cross-functional counseling, identifying legal and enforcement trends, providing supportive leadership within the legal and compliance department, working with the legal team and outside counsel, and handling other assigned tasks. The role is based at Avant’s downtown Chicago office in the Merchandise Mart. Avant’s hybrid schedule calls for in-office work on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. The stated base salary range is $170,000–$205,000 per year, and the role is eligible for an annual bonus.

Requirements

J.D. degree.
At least 6 years of legal experience, including meaningful experience in privacy/data protection, intellectual property, and litigation, gained at a law firm, in-house legal department, or government agency.
Strong working knowledge of U.S. privacy, biometric, data protection, and AI laws and frameworks, including GLBA, FCRA, CCPA/CPRA and its ADMT regulations, the Colorado AI Act, other state privacy and AI laws, TCPA, and the NIST AI Risk Management Framework.
Experience with trademark clearance, enforcement, and portfolio management, and trade secret protection under the Defend Trade Secrets Act and state trade secret laws, including managing outside counsel.
Ability to explain complex legal and technical issues to non-lawyer audiences, including product, engineering, and data science teams.
Excellent judgment, clear communication, business pragmatism, and intellectual curiosity; comfort working through ambiguity; and ability to gain the trust of colleagues, business leaders, and executives.
Active membership in good standing in one U.S. State Bar.

Nice To Haves

Litigation experience involving consumer financial services and privacy law, including the Dodd-Frank Act, UDAAP, FDCPA, TILA, ECOA, and TCPA.
In-house experience with a consumer financial services, fintech, or technology company.
Experience advising on AI governance or automated decision-making in a regulated environment.
One or more IAPP certifications, such as CIPP/US, CIPM, or AIGP, or willingness to obtain one.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary legal advisor for privacy and AI, supporting the design, implementation, and maturation of privacy and AI governance programs, including policies, playbooks, impact assessments, and training.
Advise the Privacy Officer, Product, Risk, Compliance, and other teams on the collection, use, sharing, consent, and retention of personal and consumer data.
Counsel on GLBA, FCRA, state privacy laws and financial data exemptions, state AI and automated decision-making laws, and emerging consumer financial data requirements.
Advise on AI, machine learning, and automated decision-making in credit underwriting, fraud prevention, marketing, servicing, and internal operations, including wiretap and call-recording laws as applied to AI-enabled tools.
Monitor changes in laws, regulations, guidance, and enforcement activity and translate them into actionable guidance and compliance plans.
Draft privacy notices, consents, and terms of use, and negotiate privacy, data protection, and AI provisions in third-party agreements.
Coordinate with the Deputy General Counsel on privacy implications of data incidents, as requested.
Support development, implementation, and management of Avant’s enterprise IP strategy, focusing primarily on trade secrets and trademarks.
Oversee and manage outside counsel handling trademark clearance, enforcement, maintenance, docketing, and monitoring, and manage related budgets.
Advise on branding, trademark licensing in co-brand and partner programs, and IP issues arising from AI and software development, including model and output ownership, training data rights, and open-source software.
Draft and negotiate IP ownership, licensing, and confidentiality provisions in vendor, partner, technology, and data agreements as needed.
Oversee and support consumer litigation matters, subpoenas, and other disputes, including pre-litigation counseling, fact investigation, discovery, motions practice, arbitration, and dispute resolution in federal and state jurisdictions.
Work cross-departmentally to provide practical and strategic advice to resolve disputes while balancing risk and business objectives.
Identify litigation and enforcement trends and potential risks in new and existing products, and apply lessons to product design and privacy counseling.
Work in a fast-paced environment, provide supportive leadership within the legal and compliance department, collaborate with the legal team and outside counsel on matters outside the attorney’s expertise, and handle other tasks as assigned.
Efficiently manage outside counsel and operational budgets.

Benefits

Choice of medical, dental, and vision insurance plan options.
401(k) match.
Flexible Time Off.
Flexible work environment, including a hybrid schedule with in-office work Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.
Paid parental leave.
Adoption assistance.
Post-parental leave ramp-up program.
Lunch allowance through Fooda and in-office snacks.
Summer Fridays.
In-office and virtual social events.
Company swag.
Annual bonus eligibility.