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Job Description
Overview
Zoot Enterprises, Inc. (“Zoot”) is now seeking applicants for an Associate Counsel position. Representing Zoot and its affiliates (+40 entities and individuals), Zoot’s legal team strives to operate as the best “pound-for-pound” general practice law “firm” in the United States. We deeply understand our clients’ needs and goals better than any outside law firm, which allows us to act as trusted advisors beyond mere legal issues. We never present a problem to our clients without suggesting possible solutions or a well thought out course of action. Our team provides great value by efficiently delivering legal services directly to the affiliated group and not outsourcing them. As Associate Counsel, you will be a major contributor to the legal team through your work on complex legal issues, in a large variety of practice areas, and in service of Zoot’s entrepreneurial spirit.
An exceptional candidate will exemplify a few key qualities:
- Solution Seeking. You are proactive and creative in developing solutions to business questions – ideally before they are even asked. You are curious and keep yourself informed of changes in law, business, and relevant industry practices. Using that knowledge, you seek ways to better serve your client by thinking abstractly and going beyond the most obvious questions and answers. You enjoy working within collaborative legal and compliance teams that tackle hard questions and explore the law together.
- Astute Analytics. You are good at issue spotting and identifying both logical and technical solutions to resolve those issues. You enjoy the opportunity to tackle new areas of the law and take ownership of those areas within a legal team. You endeavor to develop and maintain the highest competency in specialized practice areas and above average competency in general practice areas.
- Composed Demeanor. You are confident in your advice, abilities, and work product. You are patient with individual stakeholders and understand “doing it differently” takes time. You are steady and maintain a positive prospective in the way you process and react to any situation. You take pride in maintaining the highest level of integrity and honesty.
- Tactical Awareness. You have great situational awareness and are quick to make adjustments in order to effectively advance a project. You understand that business negotiations and organizational dynamics are best supported when you intentionally select an approach that facilitates the end goal. You never forget that business reward can outweigh legal risk, help your clients weigh the respective rewards, and support them to the best of your ability once a decision is made.
- Practical Communication. You are clear, concise, and knowledgeable in your communications on legal topics. You are open, honest, and fair in your communications on business and organizational topics. You genuinely care about your clients and co-workers, and you attempt to exhibit that care through your words and actions. You work to provide timely legal assistance by responding to requests the same day and suggesting a timeline for completion.
Essential Job Functions
- Identify legal issues and laws relevant to Zoot's business.
- Research, interpret, and provide clear and concise written and/or verbal explanations of applicable laws/issues.
- Translate complex legal areas into useable rules for business leaders.
- Understand Zoot's business, and how the law applies to Zoot's business, and be able to provide effective counsel to Zoot's business leaders regarding both business and legal issues.
- Draft and effectively negotiate a large variety of contracts, licenses, etc.
- Analyze the probable outcomes of complex functional issues and problems, using knowledge of legal precedents, and make sound decisions.
- Understand and provide guidance regarding the consumer financial protection laws/regulations applicable to Zoot's role as a service provider to financial institutions.
- Participate in establishing policies and procedures that are consistent with the organization’s broad policies and objectives.
- Assist management on all corporate, legal, and regulatory matters, including but not limited to: general contracts, third party agreements, vendor supplier relationships, management of external counsel, management of the litigation process, industry related compliance issues, employment law, patents, intellectual property and trade secrets.
- Identify and research employment law issues, and provide guidance regarding employment matters.
- Assist in managing Zoot's intellectual property portfolio.
- Achieve a service-focused culture with emphasis on delivering on-time, high-quality products and services to internal and external customers.
- Other duties as assigned – it is understood that this list of major duties and responsibilities is not an inclusive list and that other duties and responsibilities, which may include helping others in the same or different departments, may be assigned by supervisor.
Education, Training, and Experience Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in economics, business, finance or related field preferred. Master’s degree is a plus.
- Juris doctor/law degree from an ABA accredited law school required.
- 3-5 years of work related experience at a law firm or in an in-house corporate law group required. Current or prior experience working in the technology or financial industry is a plus.
- Must be in active, good standing to practice law in at least one State (Montana or South Dakota preferred). If you are not licensed in Montana, you must be willing and able to become licensed in Montana.
- Other legal experience areas preferred:
- Banking
- Compliance
- Contracts
- Corporate
- Employment
- Healthcare
- Insurance
- Intellectual Property
- Privacy & Security
- Real Estate
- Tax
Physical Requirements
- All positions at Zoot require the ability to move about inside an office environment which includes the operation of computers and other office productivity machinery and frequent communications with other employees, clients, vendors, and visitors.
- This position requires long periods of sitting in office at a computer workstation.
Working Conditions
- This is an onsite position located at Zoot’s headquarters in Bozeman, MT.
- This position will take place primarily in an office setting.
- This position will require travel less than 5% of the time.
