General Counsel

DescriptionThis is a hands-on, high-impact in-house legal leadership role for a commercially minded attorney who gets things done. You'll serve as the company's senior legal officer, advising executive leadership across a wide range of business, regulatory, and operational matters. You'll manage two direct reports and oversee outside counsel relationships, with the expectation that you bring the judgment and urgency needed to keep pace with a fast-moving business.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Business Transactions & Commercial Contracting

Negotiate a broad range of commercial agreements including vendor contracts, technology agreements, partnership arrangements, licensing deals, and service agreements
Provide practical transactional counsel on acquisitions and strategic business initiatives
Structure and close deals with speed and precision, acting as a true business partner from term sheet through execution

Regulatory & Compliance

Navigate the regulatory environment applicable to an independent mortgage company, including federal and state lending laws, consumer financial protection requirements, and licensing matters
Monitor regulatory developments and advise leadership on compliance posture and risk exposure
Collaborate with operational teams to build compliant, scalable processes

Employment Matters

Advise on the full spectrum of employment law issues, including hiring, performance management, separations, wage and hour, leave, and workplace investigations
Partner with HR leadership on policy development and employee relations matters
Manage employment litigation and agency proceedings with the support of outside counsel

Intellectual Property

Oversee the company's IP portfolio, including trademarks, software licensing, and proprietary content
Advise on IP considerations in commercial contracts and technology relationships

Litigation & Dispute Resolution

Manage active litigation and pre-litigation disputes, coordinating closely with outside counsel
Make sound, timely decisions on litigation strategy, settlement, and risk tolerance
Maintain appropriate reserves and keep executive leadership informed on material matters

Outside Counsel Management

Select and manage outside counsel relationships with a focus on value, responsiveness, and results
Provide clear direction to outside firms and hold them accountable to budget and timeline expectations

Team & Department Leadership

Lead and develop two direct reports, fostering a high-performance legal team
Build scalable processes and infrastructure to support business growth

QualificationsEDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

JD from an accredited law school; active bar admission in good standing
10+ years of legal experience, with a strong preference for candidates who have in-house experience or a combination of law firm and in-house backgrounds
Proven track record in business transactions and commercial contracting
Meaningful exposure to employment, IP, and litigation management
Mortgage industry experience is a plus, but not a prerequisite; we value commercial and legal instincts over industry-specific credentials

SKILLS

Decisive and action-oriented; someone who doesn’t let perfect be the enemy of good, and knows when a decision needs to be made today
Comfortable operating without extensive support infrastructure; you're willing to roll up your sleeves and do the work
Strong communicator who can translate legal complexity into plain business language for executives and business partners
High ownership mentality; someone who takes accountability for outcomes, not just process
Thrives in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment where priorities shift and speed matters
Collaborative and approachable, with a reputation for being someone the business actually wants to call

This position is based at our Strongsville, Ohio headquarters.

This employer participates in E-Verify. If hired, the employer will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

Union Home Mortgage Corp. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.