Corporate Counsel

Ascent Funding•San Diego, CA

24d•$185,000 - $200,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Ascent is a provider of financial products and student support services designed to help students plan for, pay for, and succeed in education and careers. The Corporate Counsel is a key member of the Legal team, assisting the General Counsel and Senior Corporate Counsel with commercial, capital markets, regulatory, privacy, and litigation matters. The role is the primary legal resource for commercial and technology contracting, manages litigation and outside counsel, and supports capital markets and bank partner programs. It involves substantial interaction with senior management and the executive team, advising on a range of legal issues and collaborating with internal teams and external partners. This position is hybrid, with a minimum of two days per week in the San Diego headquarters. Southern California may also be considered.

Requirements

Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
Bar membership in good standing.
At least 4 years of experience after law school.
Demonstrated ability to manage outside counsel and present legal risk to executive leadership and the board.
Strong work ethic and desire to learn and grow in a legal career.
Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to take initiative and build productive relationships with internal stakeholders and vendors.
Strong business acumen, self-direction, creative problem-solving, and ability to collaborate.

Nice To Haves

In-house experience at a regulated financial services or FinTech company.
Experience in consumer data and privacy, consumer lending or servicing, securitization or structured finance, corporate governance, or consumer litigation.
Experience with TCPA, CAN-SPAM, UDAAP, state disclosure requirements, and sweepstakes rules.

Responsibilities

Draft, review, and negotiate complex commercial, marketing lead-generation, SaaS, technology, platform, partnership, structured finance, vendor, and banking or counterparty onboarding agreements from letters of intent through definitive agreements.
Support capital markets transactions, including loan securitizations, forward flow and loan sale agreements, credit warehouse and corporate debt facilities, equity raises, and M&A, including due diligence and disclosure schedules.
Monitor post-closing covenants, triggers, waivers, consents, and notices.
Support management of state lending, servicing, and loan brokering licenses, including NMLS filings, renewals, examiner inquiries, and regulatory correspondence.
Review new loan products, disclosures, and marketing collateral across email, SMS, direct mail, and digital channels.
Manage litigation and outside counsel.
Advise senior management and the executive team on legal issues and present legal risk to executive leadership and the board.
Collaborate with internal teams and external partners using a partnership approach.
Develop a strong understanding of the business, work independently, and find creative solutions in a highly regulated industry.
Support continuous learning and the development of others.

Benefits

Competitive pay with bonus and options.
Company stock options.
401(k) with company match.
Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
Life insurance, disability insurance, and critical illness coverage.
14 paid holidays, including 11 holidays, two Community Days, and the employee's birthday.
Office snacks and drinks.
Tuition reimbursement program.
Generous paid leave policies.
$2,000 Vacation Incentive Plan after 3 years.
$1,000 Sabbatical Day.
Wellness and work-from-home funds.
Hybrid work flexibility.