Corporate Counsel – Financial Services

Role Overview

• Serve as the senior legal authority for all DTFS Canada legal matters, ensuring compliance with Canadian federal and provincial laws, regulatory expectations, and company policies
• Provide strategic legal advice on Canadian commercial finance transactions, including dealer financing, retail loans, lease and fleet financing, and small‑business credit facilities
• Advise on high‑impact matters such as major dealer defaults or restructurings, regulatory investigations, class action litigation, privacy incidents, and other complex Canadian legal issues
• Engage, manage, and oversee external Canadian counsel, ensuring high‑quality, cost‑effective support and consistent legal positions across jurisdictions
• Monitor Canadian legislative, regulatory, and jurisprudential developments and translate requirements into practical business guidance
• Provide legal guidance on key DTFS Canada projects, transactions, and strategic initiatives, including new products, programs, and joint ventures
• Support product development by identifying legal requirements early and advising on compliant, commercially viable solutions
• Deliver transactional counseling and training to business teams on contractual obligations and regulatory constraints
• Advise on dealer and fleet workouts and restructurings, including drafting and negotiating waivers, loan modifications, forbearance agreements, and related documentation
• Support DTFS Canada’s regulatory compliance efforts, including credit laws, privacy and data protection, anti‑corruption, and anti‑money laundering (AML) obligations
• Serve as the AML Officer and Privacy Officer for DTFS Canada
• Advise on policy compliance, licensing, regulatory filings, audits, and regulatory inquiries, escalating issues to senior management as appropriate
• Coordinate with U.S. compliance colleagues to maintain alignment with North American and group standards
• Oversee and manage litigation and dispute matters involving DTFS Canada, including collections, contract disputes, class actions, and regulatory enforcement actions
• Develop litigation strategy and supervise outside counsel in alignment with DTFS’s risk appetite
• Proactively identify and mitigate legal and regulatory risks, including advising on credit, compliance, data protection, and information security matters
• Partner with cross‑functional teams across the U.S. and Canada, including Sales, Credit, Operations, Client Services, Collections, Remarketing, and Procurement
• Provide practical, business‑focused legal guidance to support day‑to‑day operations and urgent business needs
• Review, draft, and negotiate a broad range of contracts and legal documents, including vendor agreements and dealer/fleet financing documentation
• Develop and deliver training on legal requirements, policies, and best practices to business teams
• Translate complex legal requirements into clear, actionable guidance for stakeholders across North America

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school
• Licensed to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction
• Strong commercial finance experience
• Ability to provide practical legal guidance in a regulated, cross‑border environment
• Strong knowledge of commercial lending and secured transactions, including U.S. secured transactions (including UCC Article 9)
• Experience in commercial lending, transactional work, and financial services law, gained in a law firm and/or in‑house setting
• Excellent legal research and analytical skills, with the ability to translate complex legal issues into practical, business‑focused advice
• Sound legal judgment and decision‑making skills, particularly in areas involving risk management, dispute resolution, and commercial or vendor contracting
• Ability to stay current on legal developments affecting commercial finance and financial services through ongoing professional development
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with experience working across functions and supporting stakeholders in both Canada and the United States
• Proven ability to manage multiple complex matters in a fast‑paced environment with competing priorities

Benefits

• annual bonus program
• 401k company contribution with company match up to 6%
• non-elective company contribution of 3
• 7% depending on age
• starting at 4 weeks paid vacation
• 13+ calendar holidays
• 8 weeks paid parental leave
• employee assistance program
• comprehensive healthcare plans and wellness programs
• onsite fitness (at some locations)
• tuition assistance and volunteer paid time off
• short-term and long-term disability plans