Senior Attorney

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Michigan State Bar completed

FIELD OF STUDY:  Juris Doctorate from an ABA accredited law school

EXPERIENCE:  Minimum 5 years’ experience practicing debt collection law

CERTIFICATION(S):  Licensed to practice in at least 1 state in the United States where Internal Legal Department has footprint

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND OTHER ATTRIBUTES:

• Extensive knowledge of state and federal debt collection laws
• Strong execution skills; highly accurate in both written and verbal communication
• Strong strategic thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills
• Demonstrated project management skills
• Demonstrated people management skills
• Ability to innovate
• Ability to make sound judgment and exercise discretion on legal matters
• Experience in legal operations
• Strong business acumen
• Self-motivated and capable of acting as SMA, when necessary
• Skilled in basic inventory management

The Senior Staff Counsel supports and acts in lieu of the State Managing Attorney (SMA) as needed and is skilled in all aspects of the SMA’s role.  The Senior Staff Counsel is an attorney with significant experience in debt collection law practice who assists on special global projects within the business unit and/or enterprise level.  This role promotes efficiency and uniformity in collection litigation at the state and national level.  This role also provides legal support for the Legal Collections’ business unit as requested by the SMA.  This role also provides legal advice in connection with the Company's business operations and supports corporate compliance with laws and regulations governing debt collection and related activities.  The Senior Staff Counsel may also manage, train, develop and support personnel (Bands 2-6) within the state-level office, as directed by the SMA. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Create, review, direct and resolve collection litigation matters cost-effectively by working with business clients and legal support staff; conduct research.  

Assist with special projects for Internal Legal, Legal Outsourcing or to develop state or global efficiencies.  Ability to measure project results, reporting progress and outcomes to managers and subordinates.  

Maintain and enhance company reputation with courts, vendors, outside counsel, and consumers. Limit company exposure through effective advocacy on behalf of the Company in hearings, trials, and mediations. Negotiate with opposing counsel, conduct and respond to discovery, and prepare and attend hearings and trials.  

Support the SMA and/or Managing Staff Counsel and the legal production team; monitor monthly production goals, report production metrics to senior management, and backfill for the SMA when said SMA is absent from the office.  

Manage, develop and train personnel in the state-level office, as directed by the SMA.  

Review standard operating procedures and assist in the review or creating of job aids.

Provide legal advice to the Company to support compliance with federal, state and local laws.  

Ensure adherence to Consumer Bill of Rights by enforcing relevant company policies. Determine appropriate settlements with consumers experiencing temporary or permanent hardships and communicate with consumers and counsel to encourage financial recovery.

Perform other duties, as assigned.

Headquartered in the United States, Encore Capital Group (Encore) is a publicly traded international specialty finance company operating in various countries around the globe. Through our businesses - such as Midland Credit Management and Cabot Credit Management - we help consumers to restore their financial health as we further our Mission of creating pathways to economic freedom. Our commitment to building a positive workplace culture and a best-in-class employee experience have earned us accolades including Great Place to Work® certifications in many geographies where we operate. If you have a passion for helping others and thrive at a company that values innovation, inclusion and excellence, then Encore Capital Group is the right place for you.

Encore Capital Group and all of its subsidiaries are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and are committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment where everyone feels they belong. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other status protected under applicable law.