Senior Associate General Counsel

Why should you join our team?

American AgCredit offers a unique opportunity to be a part of a national financial system supporting those who feed, clothe and fuel the world. We are a growing organization embracing collaboration and innovation while delivering transformative solutions. American AgCredit provides a cultivating environment where you truly make a difference for our customers and teams.

Benefits offered by American AgCredit:

• Commitment to agriculture and the communities we serve
• Family friendly work environment
• Investment in employee development
• Medical, Dental and Vision coverage
• Outstanding 401k – automatic 3% employer contribution, plus match up to 6%
• Generous Paid Time Off (Vacation accrued at 26 days annually, Sick Days accrued at 15 days annually, 12 paid holidays, plus 16 hours of volunteer time)
• Competitive Incentive Compensation Plan
• Disability & Life Insurance
• Employee mental, physical, and financial wellness programs
• The position is bonus eligible based on association and personal performance

Position will be posted until filled.

BASIC FUNCTION:

Provide legal counsel and support on all legal matters relating to structuring, documenting, and closing of loans, loan servicing, restructuring, collection, and other related matters. Contribute to the overall Association success working on a wide variety of issues and projects related to the Association’s legal and business matters. 

The Senior Associate General Counsel is expected to have sufficient experience with the Farm Credit System and regulations to enable effective participation and leadership in System workgroups where appropriate to represent the Association’s interests. Additionally, the Senior Associate General Counsel is expected to have sufficient experience with the Association’s business products and services to enable effective support and leadership for business workgroups needing advanced legal guidance and thought partnership.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES: 

• Provide support for entire Go to Market teams in connection with the making and servicing of retail, commercial, corporate, capital markets, and/or agribusiness loans, including, without limitation, participating in deal team meetings and discussions, providing counsel and advice on proper loan structure based upon loan purpose and borrower make-up, loan document content, Borrower Rights issues, regulatory issues and various other legal issues as they arise. 
• Serve as an integral part of the deal teams to review and assist with the preparation of complex loan documents when necessary, assist with the modification of loan documents when necessary, review non-routine loan servicing and documentation items, oversee and manage outside counsel through borrower bankruptcies, restructures and collections, provide guidance on loan restructures and workouts, and prepare or assist with loan workout and restructure documentation. 
• Research and provide Farm Credit System borrower and collateral eligibility opinions, conduct title analysis and evaluations of title insurance documentation, review and evaluate other customer documentation as necessary, and review and analyze borrower entity structure as needed. Must understand complex corporate structures, private equity sponsored deals, and the sophisticated financing packages and needs of Association customers. 
• Must carry out duties independently yet work effectively, cohesively and cooperatively as a team member. Duties must be carried out while balancing conflicting priorities to meet demanding time frames.
• Provide guidance, training and leadership to legal department peers and projects.
• With the support of the Human Resources Department, prepare and provide legal training to Association staff regarding various topics ranging from FCA Regulations and other applicable legal authorities to loan and file documentation best practices as needed.
• Participate and serve on various committees and work groups as assigned.
• Perform additional duties, projects and research as assigned by the General Counsel or Deputy General Counsel. 

LEVELS OF SUPERVISION EXERCISED AND RECEIVED:

Makes independent decisions when appropriate; works under general direction from the General Counsel or Deputy General Counsel.

TYPICAL EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Cover letter AND resume required upon application
• Bachelor's Degree. 
• Juris Doctorate Degree. 
• Admission to practice law in California, Colorado, Kansas, Hawaii, New Mexico or Nevada preferred; other state admissions will also be considered. 
• At least twelve years increasingly complex legal experience including lender/creditor rights, real and personal property laws, mortgage/secured and unsecured transactions, real estate loan restructuring, private equity lending and dynamics, complex commercial lending, including multi-lender transactions, asset-based lending, acquisition financing, and related areas of expertise. 
• Considerable experience with Merger and Acquisition transactions.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to understand and align with the Association’s customer service philosophy, including the commitment to quality, timeliness, and production standards.
• Ability to understand, accept, and operationalize the Association’s credit culture, culture of innovation and business risk appetite.
• Ability to effectively work and communicate with customers, all levels of employees, outside counsel and other outside parties and entities.
• Ability to quickly analyze complex factual situations, whether presented orally or in writing, to identify the legal issues and business risks, apply the relevant law to the facts, and advise accordingly, both in writing and verbally.
• Ability to draft loan documentation for complex lending transactions, including large commercial and agribusiness loans and high-risk loan workouts, to reflect the transaction negotiated by the business.
• Ability to prioritize heavy workload to accomplish multiple tasks on a timely basis.
• Knowledge of a variety of complex areas of law, including the Farm Credit Act and Regulations; Truth-in-Lending Act, Equal Credit Opportunity Act, Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act, Fair Housing Act, and regulations promulgated thereunder; Office of Foreign Assets Control regulations, National Flood Insurance Program requirements and general real property, commercial banking, title insurance, bankruptcy, environmental, water rights, and litigation principles.
• Strong research, critical and strategic thinking, negotiation and problem-solving skills

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Must have the ability to perform basic office tasks and work in a typical office setting. Employee will be sitting for extended periods of time and accomplishing work at a desk and work at a computer for an extended period. Must have strong written and verbal communication skills to adequately convey ideas and work well with a team. Ability to talk and hear, sit, and use their hands and fingers, and reach in all directions is essential in the performance of the job. Some lifting and moving of items up to 25 pounds is required. Work during established business hours and may require occasional weekend and/or evening work.
 

PAY RANGE:

This range is reflective of the national salary average for this position and will be adjusted using geographic variance for physical location of the hired candidate. American AgCredit may compensate outside of the salary range for bona fide reasons not related to membership in a protected class.

• Reflected is the national base pay range and title offered for this job at the current level.

• Compensation, title, and job level may be adjusted based on candidate qualifications including but not limited to achievements, skills, experience, or work location.

• Salary offered, within the applicable range, is one component of the total rewards package offered to candidates.

All hiring is contingent on eligibility to work in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or transfer visas for applicants.

American AgCredit provides equal opportunity in employment to all employees and applicants. We celebrate diversity and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, alienage or citizenship status, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, genetic information, medical condition, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, military service or veteran status, victims of domestic violence, or any other characteristics protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. American AgCredit prohibits harassment of any individuals on any of the bases listed above.
If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at [email protected].