Assistant General Counsel & Assistant Secretary - Securities Investments

The Northwestern Mutual Law Department is seeking an experienced, agile and solution-oriented investment attorney interested in joining a diverse, challenging, and fast-paced practice advising the Company on a wide range of issues as the Company works to transform how clients experience financial security.

What's the role:

This attorney will be a member of the Department’s Private Securities Investments Team and will support the Company’s $250+ billion investment portfolio.  Specifically, this attorney will provide legal advice on matters relating to the Company's private debt, private equity and public investment portfolios, as well as related third-party investment management initiatives, particularly its collateralized loan obligation (“CLO”) platform.  As a member of the Securities Investments team, and working collaboratively with other Department members, this attorney will:

• Provide legal support for the Company’s CLO platform including reviewing offering memorandums, indentures, engagement letters, warehouse agreements, collateral management agreements, control agreements, and other investment-related documents;

• Provide legal support for a wide range of asset management activities for the Company’s CLO platform and general account investment portfolio including amendments and waivers, restructurings, bankruptcies, realizations, and regulatory matters, as well as manage the CLO platform’s participation in ad hoc groups; and

• Be a trusted advisor helping investment professionals review and negotiate complex, multi-million dollar domestic and foreign investments including First Lien, Second Lien, Senior Unsecured, Unitranche, Mezzanine, HoldCo PIK, Preferred Equity, Common Equity, Structured and Project Finance, Limited Partnerships, formation of Private Funds and Syndicated Bank Loans.

Bring Your Best! What this role needs:

• Candidates must have at least five years of legal experience in one or more of the following areas: collateralized loan obligations, corporate finance, commercial lending, structured finance, private placements, or securities offerings.  Bankruptcy and restructuring experience or international investment experience would be a plus.

• Ability to analyze a variety of legal issues, synthesize complex information, and provide solution-oriented legal advice to business professionals throughout the enterprise.  

• An exemplary academic record and a Juris Doctorate degree; note that a license to practice law in the State of Wisconsin or a commitment to become licensed within the first year of employment is required.

Desired personal attributes:

• The scope of this role may change over time to respond to business needs.  The successful candidate will be flexible and adaptable in terms of general skills & aspirations.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, a highly analytical and curious mind, creativity, comfort dealing with ambiguity, integrity, high ethical standards, and a positive demeanor.

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate and contribute effectively in a team environment.

• Ability to work autonomously as well and to deal with multiple tasks at the same time.

• A keen problem-solving approach using sound legal reasoning and practical business judgment to identify and address risks and achieve results that balance benefits for all stakeholders of the enterprise.

Of the Northwestern Mutual Law Department’s approximately 130 people, about 80 are lawyers, having come to Northwestern Mutual from all around the country after having graduated from a multitude of law schools and undergraduate institutions and having practiced in a wide variety of settings.  The balance of the Department consists of highly skilled paralegals and research and administrative professionals who support significant aspects of the Department’s operations.  Our Law Department (in every aspect of its operation, including the Law Department Leadership Team, the Department’s other practicing lawyers, and the Department’s professional administrative staff) is inclusive and diverse, comprising a rich mixture of men and women who come from a wide variety of ethnic and religious backgrounds and includes people of color and those who are openly gay or lesbian.

The Northwestern Mutual Law Department provides the vast majority of legal services in nearly all disciplines directly to the Company, with only select utilization of outside counsel.  There are nine main practice teams within the Law Department:  Corporate and Tax; Digital and Enterprise Operations; Distribution; Enterprise Governance; Insurance Products and Operations; Investment Products and Advisory Services; Litigation; Securities Investments; and Real Estate Investments.  Lawyers have the opportunity to develop a thorough understanding of the Company’s business needs and are fully engaged in the execution of the Company’s business strategy.  This allows members of the Law Department to provide timely and effective counsel in an efficient manner and leads to greater career satisfaction for our attorneys, paralegals, and professional administrative staff.

Northwestern Mutual has been helping people and businesses achieve financial security for more than 165 years. Through a holistic planning approach, Northwestern Mutual combines the expertise of its financial professionals with a personalized digital experience and industry-leading products to help its clients plan for what is most important. With $366 billion in total assets, $36 billion in revenues, and $2.3 trillion worth of life insurance protection in force, Northwestern Mutual delivers financial security to more than 5.1 million people with life, disability income and long-term care insurance, annuities, and brokerage and advisory services. The company manages more than $309 billion of investments owned by its clients and held or handled through its wealth management and investment services businesses. Northwestern Mutual ranks 110 on the 2024 FORTUNE 500 and is recognized by FORTUNE® as one of the "World's Most Admired" life insurance companies in 2024.

#LI-Hybrid

Northwestern Mutual pays on a geographic-specific salary structure and placement in the salary range for this position will be determined by a number of factors including the skills, education, training, credentials and experience of the candidate; the scope, complexity as well as the cost of labor in the market; and other conditions of employment. At Northwestern Mutual, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. Please note that the salary range listed in the posting is the standard pay structure. Positions in certain locations (such as California) may provide an increase on the standard pay structure based on the location. Please click here for additional information relating to location-based pay structures.

We are an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you work or would be working in California, Colorado, New York City, Washington or outside of a Corporate location, please click here for information pertaining to compensation and benefits.