Financial Legal Examiner 2-4

Attorney Opportunity Regulating Financial Service Providers and Protecting Consumers
 
 * Are you an attorney or recent law school graduate who is interested in learning skills to pursue a career in investigating alleged violations of laws and regulations pertaining to financial service industries, prepare cases for administrative, civil, or criminal actions, and negotiate settlements of your cases?

* Are you interested in learning about emerging FinTech industries like those dealing in cryptocurrency or more established forms of money transmission, escrow, consumer lending, mortgage loans, student loans, payday loans, and loan servicing?

* Are you interested in protecting consumers, public service, or obtaining public service loan forgiveness?

*  Would you like to work independently and in collaboration with other attorneys and examiners, Division staff, the Washington State Office of the Attorney General, and other state and federal regulators?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you seriously should consider applying for this position! We’re looking to hire experienced attorneys or recent law school graduates to join our team!

The Consumer Services’ Enforcement Unit is recruiting a Financial Legal Examiner (FLE), which may be filled at the 2, 3, or 4 level, depending on applicant qualifications.

Salary Ranges:
 FLE 2 - $5,929 -$7,971 per month
 FLE 3 - $6,876 - $9,245 per month
 FLE 4 - $7,589 - $10,208 per month

This position is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).

Some of What You Will Do:

• Draft administrative enforcement actions, including statements of charges and cease and desist orders critical to the agency’s statutory consumer protection duties.
• Negotiate and draft settlements of enforcement actions. 
• Oversee multiple complaints and investigations and ensure cases progress in a timely fashion.   
• Conduct research and gather evidence through drafting and executing investigation plans; drafting subpoenas; conducting interviews, taking testimony, and examining financial and legal records.  
• Prepare legal memoranda and investigative reports. 
• Make recommendations for enforcement action based upon your investigation findings, applicable laws and regulations. 
• Assist the Attorney General’s Office in the preparation and presentation of administrative cases for hearing.
• Provide testimony in administrative hearings. 
• Assist the King County Prosecuting Attorney in the preparation and presentation of criminal referrals related to mortgage lending fraud. 
• Learn and maintain expertise in the constantly evolving state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to financial institutions of all sizes, including the Consumer Loan Act, Mortgage Broker Practices Act, Escrow Agent Registration Act, Uniform Money Services Act, Truth in Lending Act, Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act, Equal Credit Opportunity Act, Dodd Frank Act, and the Administrative Procedures Act.

Required Qualifications:
Graduation from an accredited law school.  Active membership with the Washington State Bar Association (WSBA).  Candidates that sat for the February 2025 Washington State Bar Examination are encouraged to apply.

Benefits of working for DFI include:

• Medical, dental, retirement, and generous paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Telecommuting up to three days per week and flexible work hours.
• Healthy work-life balance.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion where every person is recognized and valued.
• Professional development and continuing education opportunities, including DFI’s in-house CLE program and other training that ensures employees are successful. 
• You may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

About Our Agency:
The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions' (DFI) mission is to protect consumers and advance the financial health of Washington State by providing fair regulation of financial services and educating consumers to make informed financial decisions. Collectively and independently, the Department's 200-plus employees within its 5 divisions - Administration, Banks, Consumer Services, Credit Unions, and Securities - work together to create a stronger economic future and secure financial environment for Washington's consumers and businesses alike. DFI is self-supporting, in that none of its operating revenues come from the state's general tax funds. Its operating revenues are paid by the organizations and individuals it regulates. To learn more about the Department of Financial Institutions, please visit our website at www.dfi.wa.gov.

The DFI values diverse perspectives and life experiences.  We employ and serve diverse people of all backgrounds including people of color, women, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, and veterans. This culture of respect promotes a professional and inclusive environment where maximizing potential through opportunity is achievable by everyone.  

About The Division:

In the Division of Consumer Services, consumer protection is at the heart of what we do, whether we are regulating emerging FinTech industries like those dealing in cryptocurrency or more established forms of money transmission, escrow, consumer lending, and loan servicing. We license and conduct examinations of the people and companies in those industries and take action against those who violate the law. We pride ourselves on helping people - by ordering refunds or restitution for consumers, by enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of state government, and by working to maintain robust, healthy financial industries.

Official Work Station:
The Consumer Services Division Enforcement Unit employs a hybrid work schedule with up to three days of telework. Your official work station will be the Tumwater headquarters office.

Application Process:

Applications for this recruitment will be accepted electronically on Careers.wa.gov. Submitting your application materials electronically will act as confirmation that the information submitted is complete and accurate to the best of your knowledge. Failure to provide all required application materials may result in disqualification.
 
 Interested applicants should select the "Apply" button and attach the following materials to their application:

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Three professional references* (provide contact name, phone number, email address, company name, and job title)
• Unofficial Law School College Transcripts