Associate Counsel

Location

Bozeman, MT, 59718

The Associate Counsel position provides legal expertise and guidance regarding a large variety of legal and business issues applicable to Zoot Enterprises, Inc. and its affiliated companies (collectively, “Zoot”), including legal/regulatory compliance, contract drafting and negotiation, licensing, protection and management of intellectual property, employment law issues, tax compliance, entity structure and creation, and management of outside counsel.

Zoot's Legal Group is responsible for managing all legal functions applicable to Zoot's business.

For over 30 years, Zoot Enterprises has been a global provider of advanced origination, acquisition, and decision management solutions. Our customer‑centric tools and services enable Zoot’s clients to add value and differentiation, while providing nimble, scalable solutions for specific business objectives. Zoot provides a cloud‑based, secure processing environment. We offer tailored data‑driven decisioning technology solutions that empower our clients to streamline processes, increase flexibility and efficiency, accelerate growth, while accessing hundreds of cutting‑edge data sources to help reduce risk.

Key Responsibilities

• Understand Zoot's businesses and how the law applies; provide effective counsel to senior management and other employees regarding business and legal issues.
• Proactively identify legal issues and laws relevant to Zoot's businesses – spot issues before they become problems.
• Research, learn, interpret, and provide clear and concise written and/or verbal explanations, guidance, and assistance regarding all applicable laws/issues relevant to Zoot’s businesses, including, without limitation, consumer financial services and banking; consumer financial and health data protection and privacy; medical, health, and wellness services; international privacy; information security; intellectual property protection, portfolio management, and licensing; employment laws and practices, employee benefits, daycare services, real property development and management, construction and construction management; oil and gas investing, drilling, and related leasing; investment management; and hotel and hospitality services and operations.
• Draft and effectively negotiate a large variety of contracts, licenses, etc.
• Analyze the probable outcomes of complex issues and problems, using knowledge of legal precedents, and make sound decisions.
• Learn new areas of the law as requested by Zoot’s General Counsel and provide effective guidance and counsel to Zoot’s General Counsel and other senior management and employees.
• Communicate effectively with Zoot’s senior management and other employees, as well as third parties such as partners, clients, and vendors. Present Zoot’s legal and business positions internally and externally in a clear, honest, and respectful way.
• Comply with all applicable rules of professional conduct/codes of ethics and other rules governing attorney behavior and the practice of law.
• Participate in establishing policies and procedures that are consistent with the organization’s broad policies and objectives.
• Apply and maintain knowledge of Zoot’s Policies and Procedures, Code of Business Conduct, and Employee Agreement.
• Achieve a service‑focused culture with emphasis on delivering on‑time, high‑quality products and services to internal and external customers.
• Take ownership of, manage, and assume primary responsibility for the Legal Group’s role regarding specific areas of the law, specific lines of business, compliance areas, and special projects (as assigned by Zoot’s General Counsel).
• Report to Zoot’s General Counsel regarding Managed Areas and seek guidance and/or feedback when necessary.
• Communicate and provide legal and business advice directly to Zoot’s senior management without reliance on Zoot’s General Counsel.
• Lead, manage, instruct, and mentor more junior lawyers within Zoot’s Legal Group.
• Proactively identify, vet, and explain legal and business ideas and potential improvements to Zoot’s General Counsel and other senior management; lead by proactively thinking through processes and problems and making unsolicited suggestions.
• Coordinate the members of the Legal Group to ensure work continues to be completed as needed and deadlines are met, and communicate directly with senior management regarding urgent projects and requests when the General Counsel is unavailable.
• Perform other duties as assigned; additional duties may include assisting other departments as directed.

Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor's Degree in Economics, Business, Finance, Engineering, Philosophy, or related field preferred.
• Graduate Degree in Juris Doctor/Law from an ABA‑accredited law school required.
• Attorney status; must be in active, good standing to practice law in at least one state (Montana or South Dakota preferred). If not licensed in Montana, must be willing and able to become licensed in Montana.
• 5+ years of work experience at a law firm or in an in‑house corporate law group required.
• Certifications considered.

Other Legal Experience Areas Preferred

• Medical technology licensing, contracting, and regulatory issues
• Healthcare
• Franchising
• Patent drafting
• Financial technology licensing, contracting, and regulatory issues
• Finance industry law and regulations, specifically consumer financial protection laws
• Financial, accounting, or tax experienceCorporate governance
• Real estate transactions
• Data privacy and security law
• Executive compensation and benefits

Background Check Requirement

Ability to successfully pass background screening.

Physical Requirements

All positions at Zoot require the ability to move about inside an office environment, which includes the operation of computers and other office productivity machinery. This position specifically requires long periods of sitting at a computer workstation.

Working Conditions | Work Hours | Location

This position will take place primarily in an office setting. The workspace is typically a cubicle setting in an open space environment. Exempt employees, and specifically this position, regularly and consistently report to work on‑site at Zoot headquarters during normal business hours. Occasional nighttime and weekend work is required within the position. Travel may be occasionally required.