Associate Counsel, Early Dispute Resolution

Janney Montgomery Scott LLC•Philadelphia, PA

About The Position

Janney Montgomery Scott, a dually registered broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser, is seeking an Associate Counsel, Early Dispute Resolution. Reporting to the Deputy General Counsel, Litigation and Regulatory Affairs, this role identifies, triages, investigates, and responds to client complaints and related regulatory inquiries across the firm’s brokerage and advisory businesses. The Associate Counsel also works with Financial Advisors to identify potential financial exploitation of senior and vulnerable investors, implement FINRA Rules 2165 and 4512—including temporary holds—and make reports to state regulators and adult protective services where state law requires or permits. The position serves as a legal resource for Janney’s privacy and information security program and helps implement and maintain the firm’s Incident Response Plan. It involves close collaboration with business leaders and teams across Compliance, Marketing, Operations, Sales Support, Information Services, and Supervision, as well as regulators and internal and external auditors. The role also supports examinations, advises on securities-law issues and filings, assists with commercial agreements, and participates in industry groups. Janney describes itself as an award-winning full-service financial services firm committed to understanding clients’ needs and building a diverse, inclusive culture in which employees can thrive and grow professionally.

Requirements

J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school.
Active bar admission in good standing, or eligibility for in-house registration.
2 to 5 years of legal, regulatory, or compliance experience at a broker-dealer, investment adviser, law firm, or securities regulator.
Working knowledge of FINRA rules, the Investment Advisers Act, and Regulation Best Interest.
Strong service orientation and ability to build effective working relationships with peers, business units, leadership, and outside partners.
Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to explain complex information clearly to all levels of the organization.
Ability to manage multiple high-volume, time-sensitive matters with precision, take ownership from intake through resolution, and learn eagerly.
Clear and persuasive written and verbal communication, including prompt, accurate correspondence to clients and regulators consistent with firm policies and procedures.
Resourceful problem-solving and practical, solutions-based judgment on legal and regulatory issues.

Nice To Haves

Experience with customer complaints, arbitration, or regulatory inquiries.
Experience at a law firm and/or in a corporate legal department.
Experience at a mid-size to large financial services firm.
Familiarity with privacy, cybersecurity, or senior investor protection matters.

Responsibilities

Identify, investigate, code, and respond to brokerage and advisory client complaints, and ensure timely Form U4/U5 amendments and quarterly statistical reporting under FINRA Rule 4530.
Evaluate complaints for early resolution before they escalate to FINRA arbitration or litigation, and coordinate with outside counsel as needed.
Investigate and respond to inquiries from FINRA, the SEC, and state securities regulators concerning client complaints, Financial Advisor activity, and related matters.
Maintain firm policies and procedures for complaint handling, incident response, privacy and information security (including Regulation S-P), and senior investor protection (including FINRA Rules 2165 and 4512).
Work with Financial Advisors to identify potential financial exploitation of senior and vulnerable investors, implement FINRA Rules 2165 and 4512, including temporary holds, and make reports to state regulators and adult protective services where state law requires or permits.
Support SEC and FINRA examinations of the firm’s broker-dealer and investment adviser businesses, as well as examinations by state regulators and other self-regulatory organizations.
Assist with internal audits and third-party audits.
Advise on regulatory issues and filings under federal and state securities laws, including the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, Regulation Best Interest, and FINRA rules.
Support general corporate matters as needed, including review and negotiation of vendor, data-sharing, and other commercial agreements.
Participate in industry trade associations, committees, and roundtables.
Serve as a legal resource for the firm’s privacy and information security program and help implement and maintain Janney’s Incident Response Plan.