Corporate Counsel

Ascent Funding•San Diego, CA

20d•Hybrid

About The Position

Ascent is a provider of financial products and student support services designed to help students plan for, finance, and succeed in their education and careers. The Corporate Counsel will join the Legal team and assist 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 regular interaction with senior management and the executive team, advising on legal issues and collaborating with internal teams and external partners. The position is hybrid, with a minimum of two days per week in the San Diego headquarters. Southern California candidates 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.
Ability to take initiative and build productive relationships with internal stakeholders and vendors.

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/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 mergers and acquisitions, 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 materials across email, SMS, direct mail, and digital channels.
Manage litigation and outside counsel.
Advise senior management and the executive team on a variety of legal issues and present legal risks to executive leadership and the board.
Collaborate with internal teams and external partners using a partnership-oriented approach.
Apply business acumen, self-direction, creative problem-solving, and a continuous-learning mindset to legal work in a highly regulated industry.

Benefits

Competitive base salary of $185,000–$200,000, commensurate with experience, plus 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 community days and the employee's birthday.
Snacks and drinks in the office.
Tuition reimbursement program.
Generous paid leave policies.
$2,000 Vacation Incentive Plan after 3 years and a $1,000 Sabbatical Day.
Wellness and work-from-home funds.