Counsel III

Commonwealth of Massachusetts • Boston, MA

10d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Division of Banks is seeking an experienced attorney for the position of Counsel III. The Counsel III is a senior-level attorney responsible for providing legal support services to the agency’s supervision units and leading regulatory enforcement matters that protect consumers and uphold the integrity of the Commonwealth’s financial services marketplace. Reporting to the General Counsel, this role serves as a key Legal partner to supervision, enforcement, and consumer assistance functions, helping translate examination findings and consumer complaints into effective legal and enforcement outcomes. The Counsel III serves as a technical expert, providing advanced and specialized expertise in a specific area of law, and leads the development and negotiation of enforcement actions, may act as prosecuting counsel in administrative proceedings, and provides strategic legal guidance across the Division. Working closely with the investigative and examination teams, this role ensures that regulatory actions are legally sound, consistent, and aligned with the Division’s broader supervisory priorities The Counsel III also provides consultative advice, insight, and recommendations on legal issues to assist agency management decision making and to ensure compliance with agency, state and federal laws and regulations.
As an employee of the Division of Banks, you will contribute to the mission of the Division of Banks by ensuring a sound, competitive, and accessible financial services environment throughout the Commonwealth. The Division maintains public confidence in Massachusetts financial institutions through the oversight of state-chartered banks and credit unions as well as non-depository licensees doing business in Massachusetts. We are a consumer protection agency, and we support financial literacy education and programs benefiting residents across the Commonwealth. The majority of the Division's employees are Examiners who conduct a variety of on-site and off-site examinations of financial institutions and licensed entities under the Division's jurisdiction.
At the Division of Banks every employee’s ideas and experiences are welcomed. We value and respect that each individual brings different skills and perspectives that uniquely contribute to our agency and the work that we do. It is important that each employee feel empowered to contribute as this allows for more effective collaboration and better results. Within our workplace community, we offer a variety of training and mentoring to create and maintain learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree
• Admission to the Massachusetts Bar Association
• At least six years of full-time, or equivalent part time, professional experience in the practice of law in a specialized area that is relevant to the assigned agency.
• Three years in a supervisory capacity may be required.
• Motivated by public service and interested in applying your legal expertise to protect consumers and strengthen regulatory accountability in the Commonwealth.
• Meaningful experience in administrative law and litigation, including the ability to independently manage complex regulatory matters.
• Strong legal research, analytical, and written advocacy skills.
• Familiarity with state and federal banking laws; non-depository consumer lending laws; emerging issues in financial services such as appropriate levels of regulating novel financial products and cryptocurrency; corporate and administrative law; consumer protection laws, as well as commercial, real estate, and securities laws
• Communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders, including agency leadership, regulated entities, and opposing counsel.

Nice To Haves

• Extensive knowledge of Massachusetts and federal banking law and regulatory frameworks.
• Extensive state and or federal litigation experience and knowledge of the state law governing administrative hearings.
• Familiarity with administrative and commercial law principles as applied to financial institutions.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex legal issues and exercise sound professional judgment.
• Ability to interact effectively with senior leadership and external stakeholders, including in high-conflict situations.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to clearly articulate the Division’s legal positions.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal support services to the Division of Banks’ supervision and field examination staff.
• Lead regulatory enforcement matters from investigation through resolution, including drafting charges, negotiating consent agreements, and presenting cases at administrative hearings.
• Provide strategic legal advice to examination and consumer assistance staff on complex regulatory and enforcement matters.
• May act as prosecuting counsel in administrative/adjudicatory hearings.
• Provide legal guidance to senior management, investigative and examination staff, and consumer assistance on regulatory findings, complaints, and statutory interpretation.
• Draft and review enforcement orders, consent agreements, and other legal actions in coordination with supervisory divisions.
• Coordinate closely with examination teams to develop legally sound cases.
• Interface with external counsel and regulated entities throughout the enforcement process.
• Responsible for drafting of regulatory approvals, reviewing applications submitted for regulatory action, researching and drafting formal and informal legal opinions, and responding to the legal inquiries received by the Division.
• Respond to legal and regulatory inquiries from the public, industry stakeholders and ensure consistent interpretation of statutes and regulations.
• Collaborate with state and federal regulators and law enforcement on enforcement actions and related legal matters.
• Represent the Division in administrative proceedings related to licensing and regulatory actions.
• Provide guidance to junior attorneys and multidisciplinary teams, including examiners interpretation of Division policies or application of statutes, regulations, rules, and regulatory bulletins.

Benefits

• Generous paid leave
• Competitive state holiday schedule
• Participation in the Commonwealth’s State Employee Retirement System.
• Training opportunities through the agency, regulatory partners, and the Commonwealth.
• Tuition remission at Massachusetts public colleges and universities.

What This Job Offers

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