Counsel, Enforcement

FINRA•Jersey City, NJ

3d•$97,700 - $211,400•Hybrid

About The Position

The Enforcement Counsel resolves non-complex Enforcement matters and contributes high-quality work on large, complex matters. The role involves assessing records and evidence, applying legal frameworks, identifying risks and defenses, negotiating settlements, contributing to legal strategy and litigation, and producing clear legal analysis and advocacy documents. The Counsel also plans and conducts witness on-the-record interviews (OTRs) and may conduct non-complex witness examinations in litigation. The position seeks foreseeable, transparent, and timely outcomes in non-complex matters. It includes recommending charges and sanctions consistent with FINRA priorities, drafting settlement documents, researching legal requirements, identifying ambiguous or unresolved rules, and explaining legal reasoning to respondents and other stakeholders. The Counsel monitors investigations, helps prepare cases for litigation, manages deadlines and priorities, and collaborates with investigative and legal staff to develop and assess the factual record. The role is performed in a hybrid work environment with defined in-person presence requirements. Work outside business hours and overnight travel may be required. The position requires a law degree, appropriate licensure, and at least six years of relevant legal experience in a regulatory or legal environment. FINRA SIE certification or an acceptable industry equivalent is required upon hire or within 16 months of the start date of the assigned SIE training cohort.

Requirements

Law degree.
Appropriately licensed to practice law in all applicable jurisdictions based on relevant licensing requirements.
At least six years of relevant legal experience in a regulatory or legal environment.
Excellent oral and written communication and litigation skills.
Excellent interpersonal skills.
FINRA Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) certification or acceptable industry equivalent certification required upon hire or within 16 months of the start date of the assigned SIE training cohort.

Responsibilities

Resolve non-complex Enforcement matters through rigorous assessment and effective advocacy, and contribute high-quality work on large, complex matters.
Assess records fairly and execute risk-based legal strategies; identify risks, defenses, individual liability, and Principal Considerations.
Recommend fair outcomes, charges, and sanctions consistent with FINRA priorities and principles, applying evidence and a well-reasoned legal framework.
Negotiate settlements and contribute to discussions with respondents, demonstrating knowledge of the record, applicable law, and potential defenses.
Contribute to internal legal-strategy discussions and discussions with other departments concerning interpretive or policy issues.
Assist with litigation preparation and litigation, including preparing exhibits, drafting witness outlines, participating in strategy discussions, and conducting non-complex witness examinations.
Draft clear, organized legal analysis and advocacy documents, including settlement documents that explain the facts, basis for charges, and relevant Principal Considerations.
Plan and conduct witness OTRs, using active listening, follow-up, and knowledge of the record to develop effective transcripts.
Research legal requirements for charges and identify and escalate issues where rules or guidance are ambiguous or silent.
Explain legal reasoning concerning non-complex matters or issues in meetings with respondents and other stakeholders.
Monitor and advise on investigations to keep them focused and targeted, and identify necessary inquiries in real time.
Prepare cases for litigation to facilitate prompt filing, efficient document production, and timely hearings.
Manage time, deadlines, timelines, teamwork, and tasks; prioritize matters based on risk and escalate matters requiring reprioritization.
Produce timely and complete written work, avoid unnecessary research or investigative steps, and complete assignments efficiently using relevant precedents where possible.
Collaborate with investigative staff to plan investigations, develop sound factual records, provide accurate legal advice, ensure written descriptions are supported by the record, identify record gaps, and objectively assess evidence sufficiency.
Resolve non-complex matters with supervision, keep managers informed, incorporate feedback, and communicate effectively with team members about factual and legal issues.
Demonstrate FINRA’s values and collaborate in person and virtually in furtherance of investor protection and market integrity.

Benefits

Discretionary bonus may be available in addition to base pay.
Overtime pay for non-exempt employees in accordance with applicable law.
Health, dental, and vision insurance.
Basic life, accidental death and dismemberment, supplemental life, spouse/domestic partner and dependent life, and related accidental death and dismemberment insurance.
Short- and long-term disability insurance, long-term care insurance, business travel accident insurance, and legal insurance.
401(k) plan with immediate participation and vesting and company match.
Eligibility to participate in an additional FINRA-funded retirement contribution.
Tuition reimbursement.
Commuter benefits.
Adoption assistance, backup family care, surrogacy benefits, employee assistance, and wellness programs.
Paid time off starting at 15 days and increasing with years of service up to 25 days.
Five personal days and nine sick days, prorated in the first year as applicable.
Two volunteer service days based on a full-time schedule.
Military leave, jury duty leave, bereavement leave, voting and election official leave, and family-member-care leave after 90 days of employment.
Childbirth and parental leave after 90 days of employment.
Nine paid holidays for full-time employees.