Legal Recovery Specialist

Vibrant Credit Union•Moline, IL

4d•$27 - $39•Onsite

About The Position

The Legal Recovery Specialist supports Vibrant Credit Union’s Collections department with asset recovery and collections matters, including bankruptcy tracking, litigation support, probate claims, and coordination with outside legal counsel and recovery vendors. The role maintains accurate account files and system statuses, manages shared and departmental email inboxes, prioritizes time-sensitive communications, produces required outbound mail, processes payments and Collections-specific transactions, and generates and securely uploads daily operational files to vendor platforms while maintaining data integrity and meeting deadlines. The Specialist supports bankruptcy and litigation processes, probate claims, outside counsel and vendor coordination, legal research and documentation, and Collections operations. The position also reviews vendor invoices, assists with departmental documentation and administrative work, and undertakes related duties and special projects as assigned. The job operates in a professional office environment and routinely uses standard office equipment. Work is conducted indoors at controlled temperatures and generally involves light physical exertion.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
One to three years of paralegal or legal support experience; experience in a financial institution, law firm, or collections/asset recovery environment is preferred.
Working knowledge of bankruptcy law and proceedings, including Chapters 7, 11, and 13, proof-of-claim filing, and court docket monitoring.
Experience coordinating with outside legal counsel and managing legal files across multiple active matters.
Strong analytical, organizational, and written communication skills, with the ability to independently manage competing deadlines.
Ability to operate related computer applications and office equipment.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
Adherence to the Credit Union’s core values and Service Standards in conducting its mission and vision.
Positive member service focus for internal and external interactions and strong teamwork.
Ability to maintain confidentiality of member and account information.
Ability to perform the described physical activities, including reaching and lifting up to 25 pounds, and to read print and computer-based materials accurately.

Nice To Haves

Associate or bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies, Legal Studies, or a related field; equivalent experience will be considered.
Paralegal certificate from an ABA-approved program.
Familiarity with legal research tools and court filing systems such as PACER.
Experience drafting demand letters, affidavits, or settlement documents.
Experience with financial adjustments, payment application, reconciliation, or general ledger management.

Responsibilities

Track accounts in active Chapter 7, 11, 12, and 13 bankruptcy proceedings; monitor court dockets, deadlines, and plan confirmations; maintain accurate bankruptcy statuses and correspondence.
Assist with preparing, reviewing, and filing proofs of claim, and consult with inside and outside legal counsel to ensure submissions are accurate, timely, and complete.
Coordinate responses to bankruptcy notices and filings and promptly update relevant internal systems.
Communicate with outside bankruptcy counsel, escalate time-sensitive matters, and provide documentation and account histories as needed.
Assist with preparing and filing collection lawsuits, including money judgments, replevin actions, and collateral repossession proceedings; support attorneys with litigation coordination and document management.
Support probate matters involving claims against decedent estates, including filing, amending, and releasing claims as directed, and coordinating with legal counsel for review and approval before claim release or resolution.
Serve as the operational contact for outside counsel handling asset recovery, collection, and bankruptcy matters; manage file placement, case updates, escalations, and document exchange.
Prepare, review, and securely upload account documentation and supporting files to legal counsel and third-party recovery vendors; monitor the status of placed files.
Review and process invoices from outside legal counsel and recovery vendors, track legal spending against the department budget, and flag variances.
Conduct factual and legal research in support of asset recovery matters and draft demand letters, settlement agreements, affidavits of debt, and other legal documents as directed by counsel.
Monitor shared repossession, departmental, and bankruptcy inboxes; prioritize and respond to inquiries, route time-sensitive items, and document matters in internal systems.
Assist with creating and updating process documentation, procedure guides, and compliance-related records.
Assist with OREO, FMV Write Down, Charge Off Processing, and Vehicles in Process of Liquidation write-downs; maintain accurate account documentation and files.
Process payments, reversals, and reapplications for repossession and post-charge recoveries received from the in-house recovery team, placement agencies, and firms.
Perform Collections transactions, including posting exception payments, claim funds, and sale proceeds; disburse checks; make deposits, transfers, and withdrawals on serviced accounts; research and adjust loans, accounts, and related general ledgers as necessary.
Assist with department mail processing, vendor payments, and other administrative functions.
Generate and securely upload daily operational files to vendor platforms for first- and third-party collections; maintain data integrity, meet deadlines, and resolve issues.
Assume related duties and special projects as required or assigned.
Maintain confidentiality of member and account information.
Use standard office equipment and perform the position’s physical activities, including talking, hearing, walking, finger dexterity, reaching, stooping, grasping, lifting up to 25 pounds, sitting, standing, and repetitive motion.