Associate Counsel, Early Dispute Resolution

Janney is an award-winning full-service financial services firm committed to understanding our clients' needs and providing advice beyond investments.  We are equally committed to building a diverse workforce and inclusive culture where employees can use their talents to thrive and grow professionally with the firm.

Janney Montgomery Scott, a dually registered broker-dealer (FINRA member) and SEC-registered investment adviser, seeks an Associate Counsel, Early Dispute Resolution. The Associate Counsel will report to the Deputy General Counsel, Litigation and Regulatory Affairs, and will be primarily responsible for identifying, triaging, investigating, and responding to client complaints and related regulatory inquiries across the firm’s brokerage and advisory businesses. The Associate Counsel will also partner with Janney’s Financial Advisors to identify potential financial exploitation of senior and vulnerable investors, to implement FINRA Rules 2165 and 4512, including placing temporary holds, and to make reports to state regulators and adult protective services where state law requires or permits. In addition, the Associate Counsel will serve as the legal resource for the firm’s privacy and information security program and will help implement and maintain Janney’s Incident Response Plan. The role involves close collaboration with senior business leaders, Compliance, Marketing, Operations, Sales Support, Information Services, Supervision, regulators, and internal and external auditors.

What you are good at:

• Communication – Writes and speaks clearly and persuasively, and prepares prompt, accurate correspondence to clients and regulators consistent with firm policies and procedures.
• Detail Oriented & Driven – Manages multiple high-volume, time-sensitive matters with precision. Takes ownership of matters from intake through resolution and is eager to learn.
• Problem Solving & Critical Thinking – Resourceful problem solver who brings practical, solutions-based judgment to legal and regulatory issues and proactively takes on challenges.

Responsibilities:

• Identify, investigate, code, and respond to brokerage and advisory client complaints, and ensure timely Form U4/U5 amendments and quarterly statistical reporting under FINRA Rule 4530

• Evaluate complaints for early resolution before they escalate to FINRA arbitration or litigation, and coordinate with outside counsel as needed
• Investigate and respond to inquiries from FINRA, the SEC, and state securities regulators concerning client complaints, Financial Advisor activity, and related matters
• Maintain firm policies and procedures for complaint handling, incident response, privacy and information security (including Regulation S-P), and senior investor protection (including FINRA Rules 2165 and 4512)
• Support SEC and FINRA examinations of the firm’s broker-dealer and investment adviser businesses, as well as examinations by state regulators and other self-regulatory organizations
• Assist with internal audits and third-party audits
• Advise on regulatory issues and filings under federal and state securities laws, including the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, Regulation Best Interest, and FINRA rules
• Support general corporate matters as needed, including review and negotiation of vendor, data-sharing, and other commercial agreements
• Participate in industry trade associations (e.g., SIFMA), committees, and roundtables

What you have:

• J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school and active bar admission in good standing (or eligibility for in-house registration) required
• 2 to 5 years of legal, regulatory, or compliance experience at a broker-dealer, investment adviser, law firm, or securities regulator required
• Working knowledge of FINRA rules, the Investment Advisers Act, and Regulation Best Interest; experience with customer complaints, arbitration, or regulatory inquiries preferred
• Experience at a law firm and/or in a corporate legal department preferred
• Experience at a mid-size to large financial services firm preferred; familiarity with privacy, cybersecurity, or senior investor protection matters a plus
• Strong service orientation and the ability to build effective working relationships with peers, business units, leadership, and outside partners
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to explain complex information clearly to all levels of the organization

Why work for us?

Benefits: Janney believes that its employees are the key to what makes a great company. Although work makes up a large portion of an employee’s life, we believe that a balance between work and non-work activities is essential to maintain quality performance and a positive work atmosphere. We offer a competitive package including Paid Parental Leave, generous Paid Time Off, eligibility for a $2,000 referral bonus and Professional Development Assistance Plan designed to help you make the most of your life at work and at home—today and in the future. Explore further.

Janney is an award-winning full-service financial services firm committed to understanding our clients' needs and providing advice beyond investments. We are equally committed to building a diverse workforce and inclusive culture where employees can use their talents to thrive and grow professionally with the firm.

People are our strongest asset. We recognize that when our team members thrive, our firm is more successful.

Janney is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit and business needs.