Senior Counsel

About the Position

We are looking for a highly motivated attorney with 5+ years of substantive transactional experience in financial services and lending transactions with strong contract drafting, reviewing, and negotiating skills, a solid understanding of commercial legal concepts, keen attention to detail, outstanding professional judgment and superb communication skills.  The successful candidate will consistently provide excellent advice and guidance to clients and colleagues on a variety of legal matters. They will build trusting relationships that allow the business partners to make well-informed decisions.

The successful candidate will possess the ability to prioritize, multi-task, work and solve problems independently with minimal supervision.  The candidate must also be proactive in identifying and resolving issues, anticipate and deliver on the needs of a fast-paced and innovative environment, be comfortable working with cross-functional teams, adapt to an agile environment and field escalation requests and issues, and have the flexibility to simultaneously manage a wide range of projects and business demands, while working collaboratively with the rest of the Legal Team.

Senior Counsel will assist with other Legal Department team members on matters as needed. This position is in the Legal Department and reports to the Chief Legal Counsel.

The role will require some travel to headquarters in Minneapolis, MN. Occasional evening and weekend hours may also be expected.

Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities

  • Document and advise on all legal aspects of commercial loan transactions and specialty finance transactions involving a variety of transaction structures and industries in accordance with industry standards, internal policies and procedures, relevant programmatic requirements and best legal practices including:
    • Developing, drafting, and maintaining commercial lending templates and forms; and
    • Negotiating, drafting and reviewing a broad range of commercial agreements including but not limited to: loan purchase agreements, loan sale, loan participation, loan servicing, commitment letters, collateral documentation, all manner of structured finance transactional agreements, master services, non-disclosure, professional services, non-disclosure, request for proposal responses and various other commercial agreements.
  • Advise business lines with respect to new products, programs, and services, regarding operational and legal risk and the applicability of federal and state law and regulations, including but not limited to non-profit entity status and Federal procurement standards
  • Serve as a trusted advisor to business lines, helping them implement strategic initiatives
  • Escalate issues, as appropriate, to identify issues and share potential concerns and ideas with other members of the Legal Department
  • Build and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholder groups
  • Work in partnership with other members of the Legal Team to establish best practices across all businesses
  • Provide legal advice on regulatory matters
  • Provide legal support and guidance on enterprise-wide regulatory reporting and compliance projects.
  • Proficient in Microsoft programs (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and technology.

About You

  • A minimum of 5 years’ experience of demonstrated transactional experience in commercial finance/lending transactions at an in-house or law firm setting.
  • Experience negotiating, drafting, reviewing and closing complex commercial finance transactions and various types of commercial agreements and structured finance transactions
  • Solid understanding of commercial legal concepts and strong drafting and contract negotiation skills
  • Exhibits excellent communication, decision quality, interpersonal skills and a high level of attention to detail
  • Proactive in identifying and resolving issues
  • Able to assess risks and provide thoughtful advice in a fast-paced environment
  • Able and willing to work collaboratively on cross-functional teams in an efficient and productive manner to effect change and achieve common goals
  • Strong commitment to client service
  • Able to quickly understand the business’ needs, apply solid professional judgment and work independently and effectively with business teams, other members of the Legal Department and other internal groups to create practical and business minded solutions and efficiently deliver results
  • Able to independently solicit information and input from different stakeholders as necessary and appropriate
  • Possess and demonstrates excellent business and legal judgment
  • Adapts style to differing audiences and often advises others on difficult matters
  • Able to collaborate confidently and effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders
  • Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
  • Possess an interest in and willingness to learn new skills
  • Understand and follow complex workflow processes and organizational policies
  • Experience working with or knowledge of Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFIs) or industry
  • Experience with small business lending
  • General knowledge of laws applicable to non-profit entities
  • General knowledge of Federal procurement standards
  • Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and successfully manage tight deadlines with minimal to no supervision and across multiple time zones

Key Competencies & Preferences

Bachelor’s Degree and JD from an accredited law school and licensed, in good standing, to practice law in the state of Minnesota or otherwise in compliance with the in-house counsel registration rules of Minnesota

Organizational Policies

Community Reinvestment Fund USA, Inc is an affirmative action equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Candidates must reside in and be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

CRF’s Theory of Change
CRF’s Theory of Change is the strategic framework used to guide its work. While CRF’s mission remains constant, the Theory of Change outlines how it contributes to the changes it seeks.

The challenge CRF works to address
The current economic system, perpetuated by institutional racism, individual biases and disparities, is unjust. It fosters the inequities that are causing widening disparities in incomes, wealth, and opportunity gaps.

A just economy that works for all
CRF’s Theory of Change is underpinned by the conviction that small businesses are the backbone of our economy, employing nearly half of the U.S. workforce and generating two-thirds of new jobs. CRF believes that providing small businesses equitable access to capital and support services is essential to creating a just economy that works for all.

CRF activates its mission by:

  • Co-creating and deploying innovative financial products and services that address the barriers and inequities small businesses operated by historically excluded people face.
  • Designing and managing financial programs that attract incremental impact capital to communities with a history of underinvestment.
  • Orchestrating a network of trusted small business support organizations enabled by technology.
  • Growing the capacity of community development finance organizations.
  • Helping small businesses navigate the complexities of the small business support ecosystem.

CRF STANDS IN SOLIDARITY
Community Reinvestment Fund, USA (CRF) stands in solidarity with all fighting for social justice, equity, and transformational change. They know that the social changes taking place today will yield a lasting positive impact on the lives of millions.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION:
CRF is dedicated to building and sustaining a truly diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture. These are not just words on a page – Diversity, Equity & Inclusion are top priorities for the organization, and tie deeply to each of their core values and overall vision for the future. CRF is an equal opportunity employer that evaluate applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other characteristics protected by law.

CORE VALUES
Create Equitable Economic Opportunities, Lead Through Collaboration, Transform Through Innovation, Excel In All They Do, Act with Integrity.

How We Help
Together with its partners – including community leaders, nonprofit lenders, financial institutions, foundations and more – CRF is creating new strategies and technologies that build stronger local economies, create jobs and support economic mobility.

CRF is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. For a more detailed description of the incredible work we do, how we do it, and who we are, please visit www.crfusa.com.

Department:
Legal
Location:
Remote
Salary:
$130,000 to $155,000 Annually (exempt)

What We Offer

A collaborative working environment comprised of driven and highly engaged individuals committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and the mission, vision and values of CRF. CRF is proud to extend its employees a wide array of benefits including, but not limited to:
  • Most positions offer flexibility for remote work
  • Health, dental, and vision insurance
  • 401K with a 5% match – eligible to participate after 6 months
  • Paid Time Off (PTO)
  • Hybrid Reimbursement Program
  • Educational Assistance
  • Long-Term and Short-Term Disability
  • Life Insurance
  • 10 Federal Holidays plus 2 Floating Holidays

How to Apply

To apply for this or other positions, please send your resume to: recruiting@crfusa.com
Community Reinvestment Fund USA, Inc is an affirmative action equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.
CRF USA, Inc. requires all employees to be vaccinated for COVID-19. As a condition of hire with CRF USA, Inc. candidates must be able to show proof of vaccination for COVID-19 prior to an extension of an offer of employment. Accommodations will be considered for disabilities or sincerely held religious beliefs.
Candidates must reside in and be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

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