Counsel, Enforcement

FINRA•Rockville, MD

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Enforcement Counsel resolves non-complex Enforcement matters and contributes meaningful, high-quality work on large, complex matters. The role uses rigorous assessment and effective advocacy to develop fair, risk-based legal strategies, evaluate evidence, identify potential risks and defenses, and recommend appropriate outcomes. Counsel works with investigative staff and other departments, advises on legal and interpretive issues, negotiates settlements, and prepares matters for litigation. The position also requires timely, clear written work, effective oral advocacy, collaboration, and the ability to manage non-complex matters with supervision while contributing to team-based cases. The position operates in a hybrid work environment with defined in-person presence requirements. Work outside business hours and overnight travel may be required. Salary varies by listed work location. Employees may be eligible for a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. FINRA provides comprehensive insurance coverage, retirement benefits, paid time off and leave, and other benefits described in the posting.

Requirements

Law degree and appropriate license to practice law in all applicable jurisdictions.
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, fair recommendations, and effective advocacy.
Develop and execute risk-based legal strategies, assess the record, apply a well-reasoned legal framework, and identify risks, defenses, individual liability, and Principal Considerations.
Negotiate settlements and participate in discussions with respondents, demonstrating knowledge of the record, applicable law, and potential defenses.
Contribute to internal legal-strategy discussions and discussions with other departments on interpretive or policy issues.
Prepare for and contribute to litigation, including preparing exhibits, drafting witness outlines, participating in strategy discussions, and conducting non-complex witness examinations.
Draft clear, organized legal analysis and effective advocacy documents, including settlement documents explaining the facts, basis for charges, and supporting Principal Considerations.
Plan and conduct on-the-record witness interviews, using active listening, follow-up, and knowledge of the record to develop effective transcripts.
Identify and assess relevant Principal Considerations; recommend charges and sanctions consistent with FINRA priorities and principles.
Research legal requirements for charges and identify and escalate ambiguous or unaddressed rules and guidance.
Explain legal reasoning on non-complex matters to respondents and other stakeholders.
Monitor and advise investigations to keep them focused and targeted, identify necessary inquiries, and help develop a sound factual record with investigative staff.
Provide accurate legal advice to investigative and legal staff; assess evidentiary sufficiency; ensure factual descriptions are accurate, clear, and supported by the record; and identify gaps in the investigation.
Prepare cases for litigation to facilitate prompt filing, efficient document production, and timely hearings.
Manage time, deadlines, priorities, timelines, teamwork, and tasks to produce complete and timely work; identify matters requiring reprioritization and avoid unnecessary research or investigative steps.
Work effectively with supervision, keep managers informed, incorporate feedback, complete assignments efficiently, and use relevant precedents where appropriate.
Demonstrate FINRA values through in-person and virtual collaboration in support of investor protection and market integrity.

Benefits

Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
Basic life, accidental death and dismemberment, supplemental life, spouse/domestic partner and dependent life, and spouse/domestic partner and dependent accidental death and dismemberment insurance.
Short- and long-term disability, long-term care, business travel accident, and legal insurance.
Immediate participation and vesting in a 401(k) plan with company match.
Eligibility for an additional FINRA-funded retirement contribution.
Tuition reimbursement.
Commuter benefits.
Adoption assistance, backup family care, and surrogacy benefits.
Employee assistance and wellness programs.
Paid time off starting at 15 days, increasing with service up to 25 days.
Five personal days and nine sick days, prorated in the first year as applicable.
Two volunteer service days for full-time employees.
Military leave, jury duty leave, bereavement leave, voting and election official leave, care of a family member leave, and childbirth and parental leave, subject to stated eligibility terms where applicable.
Nine paid holidays for full-time employees.
Employees may be eligible for a discretionary bonus.
Non-exempt employees are eligible for overtime pay in accordance with applicable law.