Corporate Counsel

Guild Mortgage Company, closing loans and opening doors since 1960. As a mortgage banking firm we are dedicated to serving the homeowner/buyer. Our goal is to provide affordable home financing for our customers, utilizing the best terms available while providing a level of professionalism and service unsurpassed in the lending industry.

Position Summary

The Corporate Counsel, Mortgage Lending role serves as a trusted legal advisor to the Company’s Retail Sales, Production, Operations, Products, Compliance, Consumer Direct, and Correspondent Lending business lines. This role provides practical, business-focused legal counsel on mortgage origination, lending operations, product development, regulatory compliance, risk management, and strategic initiatives. The attorney partners closely with business leaders, Compliance, and operational teams to identify and mitigate legal and regulatory risks, support growth initiatives, and ensure compliance with applicable federal and state mortgage lending requirements. The ideal candidate possesses significant experience advising mortgage lenders on loan origination, mortgage products, operational matters, and regulatory requirements. This position requires strong business judgment, excellent communication skills, and the ability to develop collaborative relationships across the organization while delivering practical and solution-oriented legal guidance. The attorney will also provide occasional support on broader Legal Department initiatives, contracts, and special projects as needed.

Compensation

This role is an exempt position with a targeted salary range of $101,772 to $152,692 annually.

Compensation at Guild is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to local and federal minimum wage requirements, education, level of experience, and applicant’s geographical location.

Essential Functions

• Serve as primary legal counsel supporting Retail Sales, Production, Operations, Products, Compliance, Consumer Direct, and Correspondent Lending business functions.
• Provide practical legal guidance regarding mortgage origination, lending operations, underwriting, loan fulfillment, documentation, and related business activities.
• Advise business partners and leadership on legal, regulatory, compliance, and operational risks affecting mortgage lending activities and strategic initiatives.
• Manage legal escalations and provide timely, practical solutions to support business objectives while appropriately managing legal risk.
• Partner with Compliance and business leaders to assess regulatory developments, implement legal requirements, and support enterprise risk management objectives.
• Support the development, enhancement, launch, and administration of mortgage products, including conventional, government, jumbo, non-QM, HELOC, and specialty lending programs.
• Counsel stakeholders regarding federal (including RESPA, TILA, ECOA, FCRA, HMDA, FACTA, GLBA, UDAAP/UDFAP) and state mortgage lending laws, regulations, agency requirements, investor guidelines, and industry best practices.
• Advise on correspondent lending relationships, investor requirements, repurchase matters, and related contractual agreements.
• Review, draft, negotiate, and interpret contracts, agreements, and related documents supporting mortgage lending operations.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with internal stakeholders, regulators, investors, and outside counsel, as applicable.
• Ensure compliance with legal requirements, company policies, and industry regulations.
• Support additional Legal Department initiatives, contract matters and special projects as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Master's Degree directly related to the position or equivalent, required.
• J.D. and Bachelor's Degree or college courses/technical training related to Business, Finance, Legal or related field;
• A combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of the Bachelor’s degree.
• Minimum five years experience in mortgage banking.
• Admission to the California state bar and in good standing.
• Knowledge of overall mortgage lending process.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Very strong research skills.
• Ability to analyze facts and data to determine issue and resolution.
• Work independently in a fast-paced environment to complete work following procedures.
• Strong detail orientation and highly organized.
• Manage multiple priorities and deadlines; strong sense of urgency and responsiveness.
• Prior experience using PDF/Adobe programs and Microsoft Suite. Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Basic math skills.
• Comfortable in a paperless environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills required.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented; ability to work in a fast-paced, metrics-driven environment required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Word, Excel, Wiki, collaborative cloud-based programs, and third-party software applications required.
• Commitment to company values.
• Customer Service - Proactive attention to each person.
• Integrity - Do and say what's right.
• Respect - Treat others with dignity.
• Collaboration - Listen and work together.
• Learning - Seek knowledge and strive for improvement.
• Excellence – Deliver the unexpected.

Supervision

Job Scope:  Plays a key role in area by generating insights and ideas on policies, processes, procedures, and efficiency; contributes ideas to strategic and operational plans to ensure alignment.

Complexity:  Problems encountered are often complex and may involve significant resource coordination and availability, evaluating and resolving discrepancies with data, analyses, processes, etc. using own expertise and judgment.

Impact:  Decisions and actions have a major impact on the strategic and operational outcomes of the area/unit; Has a direct and significant impact on the business and/or operations of the organization as a whole.

Interaction/Supervision:  Works under broad direction with considerable latitude for independent actions; guided by professional standards, desired outcomes and unit/project/program specifications.

Requirements

• Work is primarily sedentary; mobility in an office setting.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment and keyboards.
• Ability to accurately interpret sounds and associated meanings at a volume consistent with interpersonal conversation.
• Regularly required to accurately perceive, distinguish and interpret information received visually and through audio; e.g., words, numbers and other data broadcasted aloud/viewed on a screen, as well as print and other media.
• Office environment – moderate noise, no substantial exposure to adverse environmental conditions.
• Learn new tasks, remember processes, maintain focus, complete tasks independently, and make timely decisions in the context of a workflow.
• This role requires effective adaptation to workplace stressors, including customer service complaints, security responsibilities, and competing priorities.
• Must be able to adhere to process protocol. Must be able to apply established protocols in a timely manner.
• Work is primarily performed during the business week, Monday - Friday.

Guild offers a pleasant work environment, competitive compensation and excellent benefits package; including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, AD&D, LTD and 401(k) with employer match.

Guild Mortgage Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

REQ#: CORPO018304