Senior Counsel

At Cetera, we strive for continuous improvement and evolution towards excellence. To achieve this, we require the right individuals who can support and ensure our success. Our corporate team is the backbone of our operations, providing support in various areas such as legal, finance, and HR. We offer diverse business opportunities that are constantly evolving, providing meaningful prospects for growth to everyone. If you are proactive, adaptable to change, and thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, the possibilities for advancement and success are limitless.

Based in El Segundo, California, Cetera Financial Group, Inc. is one of the nation’s largest financial advisor networks.  Cetera is redefining the delivery of professional financial advice through the establishment of our Advice-Centric Experience™.  Cetera offers a number of award-winning financial advisor support resources, including wealth management and advisory platforms, comprehensive broker-dealer and registered investment adviser services, practice management support and innovative technology for independent financial professionals and financial institutions. 

The successful candidate will join a legal team of highly experienced lawyers who have corporate, litigation, broker-dealer, and investment advisory practice backgrounds.  This position offers an excellent opportunity for long-term professional growth and development of a sophisticated and rewarding legal practice supporting the retail investment advice profession that is vital to the well-being of our clients.

This position reports to the Deputy General Counsel (Business Support) and is located in El Segundo, California.

What you will do:

You will provide strategic advice and legal counsel to Cetera’s business. You will provide actionable, proactive, practical, and sound legal advice to your business and compliance colleagues.      

• Draft and negotiate complex transaction documents (collaborating with outside counsel when necessary) including bank networking agreements, loan and bonus agreements, financial advisor agreements and associated ancillary documents.
• Research and respond to legal questions relating to trusts, wills, estates, pledge agreements, complex operational and regulatory inquiries from operations, business and compliance/risk departments.
• Legal support to various departments including drafting and negotiation of documentation, research and legal advice (business, finance, accounting, tax, compliance, operations and supervision).
• Assist with mergers and acquisitions due diligence, transition and integration work, including contract review, drafting consent letters, disclosures, promissory notes, bespoke arrangements with advisor and other deal specific documentation.
• Support internal projects including transition, integration and conversion work relating to M&A transactions, recruiting and strategic initiatives.
• Supporting corporate governance and finance activities
• Conducting legal research and analysis of a variety of complex legal and business issues
• Preparing and delivering high-quality and timely legal advice to internal business partners and senior management
• Participating as the Legal Department representative on Cetera project teams and governance committees as assigned
• Developing and maintaining current knowledge of regulatory developments
• Other duties as assigned 

 What you need to have:

• JD with a strong academic background
• 5-10 years of experience at a law firm and/or in-house legal department
• Demonstrated excellent oral and written communication, analytical, research, and strategic thinking skills to effectively communicate issues and recommendations at all levels of the Company
• Familiarity with, or the desire to learn, the laws, regulations, and business operations of a retail broker-dealer and investment adviser
• Ability to work independently and accept a high degree of accountability
• Ability to analyze complex matters while providing simple, actionable advice
• Team and service orientation
• Strong legal research skills
• Strong work ethic
• Sound judgment and problem-solving skills
• Strong organizational and time-management skills
• Admission to the California bar, or registration as or ability to register as in-house counsel in California 

 What we give you in return:

We offer competitive compensation packages and associated benefits.  Our health program offers a comprehensive benefits package that supports healthy lifestyles and preventative care, and helps to protect against hardship.  Our retirement plan offers our employees the opportunity to plan ahead for a strong financial future well beyond their working years.

Compensation:

The salary range for this role is $180,000- $230,000, plus competitive performance-based bonus. Compensation packages are based on a wide array of factors unique to each candidate, including but not limited to skill set, years and depth of experience, certifications, and specific office location. Compensation ranges may differ in differing locations due to cost of labor considerations.

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