In-House Counsel, Transaction / Compliance

Complete Guide: In-House Counsel (Transaction / Compliance) at FairSquare

FairSquare, a premier national commercial small business lending institution with a 25-year track record and over $6 billion in funded transactions, is seeking an experienced and motivated In-House Counsel for Transaction and Compliance. This full-time, hybrid role is open to qualified attorneys who can work out of either the San Diego, CA (La Jolla area) or Atlanta, GA (Cumberland/Galleria area) offices.

Role Overview & Compensation

The In-House Counsel will report directly to the Chief Legal Officer. This position offers a highly competitive salary range of $165,000 to $210,000 per annum, alongside additional incentives including performance bonuses, a 401(k) match, comprehensive health and welfare benefits, and significant growth opportunities within a fast-paced, collaborative corporate culture.

Key Responsibilities

The selected candidate will divide their expertise between commercial transactions and regulatory compliance affairs:

• Commercial Transactions: Draft, review, and negotiate a wide array of commercial agreements, including small business financing contracts, referral partner and broker agreements, marketing contracts, and IT software licenses. The counsel will advise business leaders on risk mitigation, transaction structuring, and deal closures.
• Vendor Management: Oversee the onboarding, annual auditing, risk assessment, and regulatory exposure of the company's vendor management system.
• Regulatory & Compliance Affairs: Support the administration of the company's Compliance Management System (CMS). Ensure compliance with federal, state, and agency requirements, assist with regulatory change management, and help prepare periodic updates for state regulators.
• Internal Audits & Training: Facilitate the testing of compliance policies, support employee training programs, and assist with regulatory examinations and third-party diligence requests.

Eligibility Criteria & Qualifications

Candidates must meet the following professional standards to be considered for this mid-to-senior level role:

• Education: Must hold a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
• Experience: A minimum of six (6) years of relevant legal experience gained within a law firm, government regulatory agency, or an in-house corporate legal department.
• Core Competencies: Exceptional legal drafting, negotiation, and risk-analysis skills are mandatory.
• Preferred Knowledge: Prior experience with commercial business loans, merchant cash advances, lines of credit, or credit card products is highly desirable. Familiarity with financial regulations such as BSA/AML, CCPA, ECOA, FCRA, TCPA, or UDAAP is a strong plus.

Work Structure & Application Details

This is a hybrid position requiring a minimum of three (3) days per week in-office at either the San Diego or Atlanta location, with the remaining two days working remotely. Interested candidates should apply directly through the official hiring channels or via LinkedIn.