WACO Counsel
Work Type: Full Time, Exempt
Incumbent can be located within the 4 state Arvest footprint of Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Kansas.
Position is Monday through Friday 8 am to 5 pm with the ability to work additional hours as needed.
SUMMARY: Under the supervision and guidance of the WACO Title Company (“WACO”) Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Operating Officer (COO), or assigned WACO Director (“Supervisor”) the incumbent is accountable for managing the legal functions within WACO and acting as in-house legal advisor for assigned activities. Under the direction of the Supervisor, the incumbent will work with the various departments and associates of WACO, including but not limited to senior leadership. Other important activities include oversight of title and closing claims, review and negotiation of contracts, compliance training, assessment of legal exposure, oversight of external legal counsel, and acquisition due diligence. This will assure attainment of objectives for the company, as targeted in the approved strategic plan.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
1.Manage operations and functions within WACO that relate to legal responsibilities, which may include but are not limited to claims, document preparation, and 1031 tax exchanges, ensuring completion of objectives and goals.
2.Oversee the title and closing claims process. Communicate with title underwriters, claims counsel, and outside law firms to ensure claims are handled efficiently and in a manner that will minimize the exposure of WACO.
3.Assist the Supervisor with review, negotiation, and drafting of contracts involving WACO operations.
4.Provide advice on legal, regulatory and underwriting matters pertaining to WACO, and, when necessary, provide training to promote compliance.
5.Ensure compliance with laws and regulations impact the title and closing claims processes. Evaluate processes and implement adjustments as needed to improve efficiency.
6.Prepare, review, and update in-house documents used for transactions in which WACO provides services.
7.Assess threatened and filed lawsuits where WACO is named as a party and recommend to the Supervisor a course of action, including the engagement of outside legal counsel.
8.Assist with selection and evaluation of outside legal counsel.
9.Oversee the preparation of a monthly litigation report where WACO is exposed to significant legal risk. The report should be suitable for presentation to the WACO Board.
10.Assist the Supervisor in due diligence reviews of acquisition candidates and perform other due diligence tasks, as assigned.
11.Inspire communication of WACO’s vision, mission and values to associates to ensure the delivery of WACO’s culture. Develop people and a positive attitude by encouraging teamwork, training, and communications.
12.Participate as a member of Senior Management Team and be accountable for attainment of goals in areas such as ROA, ROE, Net Profit, Gross Revenue, Expense Containment, and Growth.
13.Provide customer service and complaint resolution, either in person or on the telephone, ensuring customer needs are met satisfactorily. Serve as a resource to realtors, buyers/sellers, lenders, builders, and other customers regarding WACO procedures.
14.In conjunction with the People Team and senior officers, provide managed associates with a leadership style and management system that contributes to a highly motivational work climate. Create a smooth operation of managed functions, including various personnel and training programs, policies, and practices which are supportive to WACO operations, i.e. performance appraisals, compensation plans, structure, etc.
15.Understand and comply with bank policy, laws, regulations, and the bank's BSA/AML Program, as applicable to your job duties. This includes but is not limited to; complete compliance training and adhere to internal procedures and controls; report any known violations of compliance policy, laws, or regulations and report any suspicious customer and/or account activity.
TEAM ACCOUNTABILITIES:
·Support and uphold the Arvest Mission Statement.
·Uphold the Arvest Code of Ethics and ensure that confidential information is safeguarded.
·Maintain a high level of cooperation and rapport with all associates in order to ensure accurate and efficient operations and service.
·Formulate and communicate new ideas and suggestions that will improve profitability and efficiency for the company’s overall operation.
·Foster and promote the proper company image at all times.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Directly supervises the Document Review Specialists and other WACO associates as assigned by the Manager. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Ensure direct reports have completed required compliance training and are adhering to all internal procedures and controls as it relates to bank policy, laws, regulations and Arvest’s BSA/AML Program. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, appraising performance, rewarding, and disciplining associates. The incumbent has the authority and the appropriate influence to make recommendations regarding hiring, firing, advancement, promotion, or any other change of status of other associates within the guidelines of the bank’s procedures and guidelines for such change of status events. The incumbent provides training, planning, assigning, and directing work assignments and schedules; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:
·Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school required.
·Minimum of five (5) years of experience in law in the U.S. required.
·Active license to practice law in Arkansas required.
·Ability to obtain Arkansas Title Agent’s License within one year required.
·Management experience preferred.
·Experience with contracts, real estate, title insurance and litigation preferred.
OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
·Must be able to arrive at work on time, work on site and have regular work attendance
·Must be able to work cooperatively with other co-workers regardless of personality, presence or communication style
·Must be able to provide cordial customer service regardless of customer personality, presence or communication style
·Must be able to perform several tasks at once
·Must be able to work in a stressful atmosphere
·Must be able to rotate job tasks
·Must be able to greet others cordially
·Must be able to coordinate multiple and changing priorities
·Must be able to verbally communicate with all other associates
·Must be able to operate telephone, scanner, copier and FAX machines
·Must be able to occasionally work outside of normal business hours.
·Must be able to move from department, division, or bank to department, division, or bank to attend meetings
·Must be able to operate personal computer keyboard in order to create reports, schedules and other appropriate documentation
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the associate is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, and to talk and hear. The associate must occasionally reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, or crouch.
The associate may occasionally be required to lift or move up to 25 pounds.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance and color vision and the ability to adjust focus.
The incumbent must be able to travel occasionally by themselves within the US, including overnight, and via automobile and air.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an associate may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
