Assistant General Counsel

AgWest Farm Creditis a member-owned financial cooperative that provides financing and related services to farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses, commercial fishermen, timber producers, rural homeowners and crop insurance customers in a seven-state territory in the Western United States. AgWest is part of the 100+ year-old Farm Credit System - the leading provider of credit to American agriculture.

AgWest champions the growth and advancement of agriculture, the value of rural communities, and the vital contribution our customers make to the economy and society. We serve customers in 59 locations throughout the West.

We are in search of an Assistant General Counsel to join our Legal department in Spokane, Washington (Headquarters). This full-time position reports to the General Counsel and provides advice, counsel and support to management, lending, credit, and other staff on legal and regulatory matters relating primarily to lending activity (including commercial and consumer loans, large and complex loans, as well as syndications and participations) and other operational matters. Provides support and assistance to General Counsel on strategic, regulatory and operational matters for which the General Counsel is responsible.

After an initial in-office training period, this position is eligible for workplace flexibility and a one-time home office stipend. Employees are expected to continue working from their office location a minimum of 60% of the time.

Compensation Information

The base salary range for this position in Spokane, Washington is:

Typical starting range: $106,700 - $148,500
Full base salary range: $106,700 - $188,800
Annual performance-based incentive target is 18% or 20% of base, depending on experience.

Job Requirements

• Continuously seek to support AgWest's purpose to champion agriculture by serving as the most trusted resource, helping its customers, employees and their communities thrive.
• Represent the organization's legal interests by providing legal support, research, analysis and advice to AgWest representative (staff and management).
• Advise on all legal aspects of lending, including analysis, title, loan, collateral and security requirements, document review and preparation, and loan closing.
• Provide formal and informal legal training for staff and management.
• Prepare large and complex loan documentation; reviews loan documentation and crafts customized language; and develop, prepare and review policies, procedures, processes and templates for preparation and processing of all organization legal documents.
• Provide legal support for the development and adequacy of master loan agreements and documentation associated with multiple lender loan facilities.
• Provide legal support for general legal matters, including bankruptcy, workouts, restructures, organization insurance, customer crop insurance, leasing, vendor contracts, facilities management, employment, general litigation, consumer law, borrower rights, compliance and other internal and administrative documentation.
• Work with outside counsel for lending related matters, enforcement matters and non-loan related matters involving AgWest. This includes establishing appropriate parameters and procedures for each engagement.
• Collaborate on projects pertaining to strategic and operational initiatives as assigned by General Counsel.
• Perform all duties and maintain all standards in accordance with company policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Other duties as assigned.
  

Minimum Requirements

• A demonstrated desire to support AgWest's purpose to champion agriculture by serving as the most trusted resource, helping its customers, employees and their communities thrive.
• Bachelor's degree and Juris Doctor degree.
• Admission to practice law in one of the following states: Washington, California, Oregon, Idaho, Montana or Arizona.
• Generally, requires at least five years of successful and progressively responsible legal experience with emphasis in commercial lending, including origination, loan documentation and closing, real property, participations / syndications, construction, leasing, and related areas of law.
• Knowledge of laws and regulations related to commercial and consumer lending, including but not limited to the Truth in Lending Act, Equal Credit Opportunity Act, Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Farm Credit Act and FCA regulations.
• Ability to identify legal issues and advise on them clearly and succinctly, in writing and verbally.
• Proficiency at client counseling, document preparation, negotiation and legal research.
  

Preferred Requirements

• Experience working for a Farm Credit system lending, a bank or other lending institution OR experience in a regional or national law firm that regularly represents regulated lenders in commercial lending transactions and related matters.
• Experience with agricultural and consumer related lending.
• Experience in corporate governance matters.
• Experience in advising senior executives, boards and board committees.
• Experience in dispute resolution and litigation management.
  

Benefits Offered by AgWest

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Basic term life and AD&D insurance (fully paid for by the company)
• Paid days off annually: 15 vacation*, 15 sick, 11 holidays and 3 volunteer
• 401(k) plan (6% match plus 3% employer contribution)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness Program
• Jeans are welcome at work every day at AgWest!

*Vacation accrual rates increase with tenure.

Details about insurance and retirement benefits are available at: https://www.farmcreditfoundations.com/fcfbenefits

#LI-Hybrid

Job level and starting annual salary will be based on a variety of factors including but not limited to experience, education, certifications/licensure, internal equity, location, business needs and market demands. The listed compensation and benefits information is accurate as of the posting date. AgWest reserves the right to adjust compensation for all positions and modify or discontinue benefits programs at its sole discretion, subject to applicable law.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender orientation, national origin, marital status, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other classification protected by law.