Attorney

Department of Professional and Financial Regulation • Gardiner, ME

20d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Maine Bureau of Financial Institutions is an agency within the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation and seeks to fill an Attorney position. The Bureau is the primary regulator of 38 state-chartered financial institutions that include banks, credit unions and nondepository trust companies. The Attorney provides professional legal services to the Bureau of Financial Institutions under the direction and supervision of a Deputy Superintendent. Responsibilities include advice and consultation to, and representation of the Bureau on legal matters, regulatory matters, legislative matters, and consumer-related matters. Position is primarily office based with remote opportunities.

Requirements

• A law degree from an accredited law school.
• Must be admitted to practice law in Maine and currently registered with the Maine Board of Overseers of the Bar or be able to obtain such admission and registration within six (6) months of hire.

Nice To Haves

• Experience and/or academic course work in the following is preferred but not required: Banking/credit union law and regulation, consumer lending, business law, and administrative law and rulemaking.

Responsibilities

• Counsels and advises the Superintendent and professional staff on legal matters pertaining to the execution of their administrative responsibilities.
• Responds to legal inquiries regarding interpretation of the Maine Banking Code, the Maine Consumer Credit Code, Fair Debt Collection Act, and the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and works with an Assistant Attorney General assigned to the Bureau to develop interpretations and provide recommendations.
• Supports the Bureau’s Consumer Outreach staff by providing legal interpretations and review regarding consumer complaints.
• Mediates the most complex complaints or refers complaints requiring legal action and/or criminal investigation to the Office of the Attorney General.
• Monitors and tracks developments in federal banking and credit union law and other law; confers with and advises senior agency staff with respect to the impact of such developments on the agency and the execution of its administrative duties; and provides recommendations for changes in laws, regulations, and policies to effectively address external legal developments.
• Drafts legislation, rules, and interpretive Bulletins.
• Assists Deputy Superintendent in monitoring legislation and preparing or delivering legislative testimony.
• Monitors the Bureau’s rule-making procedures to assure that the procedural requirements of the Administrative Procedures Act are met.
• Interacts with the legal staff of the federal banking agencies to coordinate action and seek advice, as necessary.
• Reviews and interprets agreements and other legal documents utilized by the Bureau of Financial Institutions, consulting with the Office of the Attorney General, as necessary.
• Assists in the development of the Bureau’s Annual Report to the Legislature.

Benefits

• 13 paid holidays
• 12 days of sick leave
• 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually
• Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums ($12,845.82 - $15,112.76 annual value), depending on salary.
• Health Insurance Premium Credit – Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%.
• Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($395.72 annual value).
• Retirement Plan – The State contributes the equivalent of 14.11% of the employee's pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS).
• Six weeks of fully paid parental leave for all employees who are welcoming a child—including non-birthing and adoptive parents.
• Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree