Senior Counsel, Lending

Posted May 22

About the Company

Valon’s mission is to empower every homeowner. We believe the journey of home ownership starts when you get your keys, but lasts far beyond. We’re creating a world where home ownership comes with ease, security, and financial know-how. Our growing team of engineers, operators, product enthusiasts, and experienced servicing professionals are leveraging technology to fundamentally improve the homeownership experience. Through mortgage servicing—the process of paying off one’s mortgage—Valon is taking the first step in transforming the industry one homeowner, and lender, at a time.

Legal, Risk, and Compliance at Valon 

The Legal, Risk, and Compliance (LRC) department at Valon is responsible for interpreting and advising our company on the various legal, regulatory, and contractual provisions that impact the business. Given how heavily regulated the mortgage industry is, compliance and risk management sit at the very core of our business. The team partners closely with our operations, finance, and technology teams to provide the applicable legal and compliance expertise and frameworks that help inform the decisions that the business makes. As a member of the LRC team, you will work closely with internal clients across the company to ensure that Valon’s interests are protected.

About the Role

We are looking to add an experienced Senior Counsel to our Legal, Risk, and Compliance team. In this role, you will be responsible for handling legal and compliance matters and advising the business as we rapidly scale our mortgage originations and recapture programs as we continue to transform the mortgage industry. 

As a member of the Legal team, you will work closely with our Compliance and Risk teams on a full range of mortgage issues. We're looking for someone who has deep experience advising business partners on the full range of mortgage originations legal and regulatory issues, including new product offerings, joint marketing and cross-selling issues, who has excellent organizational and leadership skills, and who thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

You will also support Valon Mortgage’s operations by providing legal guidance and compliance support for escalated homeowner disputes, enhancing Valon’s fair lending program, and overseeing annual reports and licensing for the company and MLOs. Part of your role will involve issue spotting and working with the business to mitigate risk. 

We are looking for someone who is excited to roll up their sleeves and dive into the weeds. The right candidate is extremely detail-oriented, has excellent organizational and leadership skills, and thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. This role requires someone who can work independently as well as build out and run a team. 

Responsibilities

  • Direct legal oversight of Loan Origination business group. 
  • Provide legal counsel for new product initiatives and new strategic partnerships.
  • Manage issue-specific remediation initiatives, including the tracking of all rationale and actions taken to fully remediate. 
  • Review responses to external exam and audits and lead interactions with regulators to ensure Valon’s success throughout each exam and audit.
  • Proactively identify and advise partners on risk issues.
  • Develop and maintain a deep understanding of the mortgage industry and keep up-to-date with industry developments and regulatory changes.
  • Work closely with other departments, including operations, product, and engineering, to ensure compliance.
  • Oversee annual reporting and licensing activity for the company and MLOs. 
  • Partner with the business to build out and complete HMDA LAR reporting.
  • Create and review of loan document templates and vendor contracts.
  • Coordinate and work with Compliance and Risk teams.
  • Interface with clients and GSEs, including Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Ginnie Mae, USDA, FHA, and VA.

Ideal Background

  • Deep understanding of the mortgage originations industry, including regulatory compliance and risk management for new loan products, third party relationships and recapture. 
  • Previous experience with a mortgage servicer, regulator, or financial services company. 
  • Previous experience working with insurance companies or insurance related products.
  • Previous experience advising on fair lending issues. 
  • Previous experience advising on state and federal regulatory issues, including HMDA, TILA/RESPA and ECOA.
  • Previous experience interfacing with state and federal regulators on examinations.
  • Experience creating and drafting policies, procedures and control documents. 
  • Previous experience with company and MLO licensing activity, including proficiency in NMLS. 
  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills with the ability to work. cross-functionally and at all levels of the organization.
  • Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to drive complex projects to completion.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Licensed to practice law in at least one state
  • Minimum of 5 years of experience as an attorney in a law firm or in-house role
  • Proficient knowledge of mortgage originations law and compliance requirements 

What we can offer:

  • Base salary band: $131,000 to $178,000
  • Compensation: competitive salary with a meaningful stake in the company via equity, and 401k plan 
  • Health & well-being: we’ll invest in your physical and mental well-being with comprehensive medical, dental, & vision benefits
  • Food & meals: in-office snacks and drinks, and a $400 monthly stipend towards your lunches or groceries 
  • Commuter benefits: We offer pre-tax deductions for public transportation, rideshare services, and parking expenses to make your commute more affordable and convenient.
  • Grow together: Company wide orientation for you to successfully onboard and other learning & development opportunities including regular review cycles that feature 360 degree feedback
  • Play together: quarterly budgets for team and company outings. Use it for team swag, cooking classes, or team dinners!
  • Generous time off: 17 days paid time off, sick days, and 11 company holidays
  • Baby bonding time!: 12 weeks off for both birthing and non-birthing parents - fully paid so you can focus your energy on your newest addition

This Base Compensation pay range applies to our New York City located staff and may differ according to location. 

New York Base Compensation Pay Range

$131,000—$178,000 USD

Throughout the interview process, please remember that emails will only be from valon.com emails. We won't ever be asking for any personally identifiable information during the interview process itself. Please reach out to talent@valon.com if you have any requests to verify the authenticity of an outreach.

Valon is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. Valon makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.