ABOUT OUR COMPANY

Bridgeford Trust Company is a fast-growing and well-known trust company located in South Dakota. We are a prestigious company that is well-recognized nationally and internationally in our field. Bridgeford services high net-worth clients across the country and around the globe as a trustee, primarily of directed trusts. Bridgeford has a variety of separate companies under the Bridgeford umbrella including a trust company, marketing and business development company, commercial registered agent, corporate services entity, and others.

OVERVIEW OF THE ROLE

This role is for the position of Associate General Counsel. The role reports to General Counsel, the President, and the Board.

The main function of this role is to help lead the organization’s legal department. You will help draft agreements, negotiate contracts, navigate litigation, work through compliance with new and existing laws, draft demand letters, negotiate and help navigate acquisitions, help with employment issues, draft releases and indemnities and other documents for individual trust accounts, etc. Every day is different, and we see/experience many different types of legal issues and needs.

DUTIES

• Assisting with leading the legal function for the Company and working with many people internally related to this duty
• Helping manage internal risk and help formulate legal and other initiatives to reduce risk
• Drafting a wide multitude of legal documents of many different types (from internal policies and procedures to cease and desist letters)
• Negotiating and reviewing contracts
• Negotiating and reviewing documents or requests on individual trust accounts for risk or legal purposes as escalated by Trust Officers
• Navigating and making strategy decisions on litigation, working closely with external counsel on the same
• Helping to navigate legal disputes and decisions (whether to handle internally, involve external counsel, potentially drafting docs, etc.)
• Assisting or leading compliance initiatives including drafting policies and procedures
• Helping ensure ongoing compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and guidance
• Working on the legal side of internal strategic initiatives, like acquisitions, operational changes and enhancements, new business lines, etc.
• Working closely with internal and external stakeholders and decisionmakers, regulators, other attorneys, referral sources, etc.

SKILLS

• Ability to spot risk and liability issues for the Company.
• Significant competence in South Dakota law and general business law.
• Prior experience with trusts and/or banking a very significant plus.
• Significant prior experience drafting and negotiating legal documents.
• Demonstrated competence and confidence to operate with credibility at senior levels.
• Intellectual and conceptual flexibility; willingness to change strategy as issues unfold and develop.
• Ability to analyze, interpret, present and write about complex ideas and concepts clearly and concisely.
• Ability to rapidly prioritize as well as execute while exhibiting good judgment.
• Must possess a collegial and collaborative mindset.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

• 5 years of legal experience preferred, minimum of 2 years of legal experience required.
• JD and South Dakota Bar membership required.
• Legal drafting experience required.
• Preference will be given to candidates with experience with trusts (directed, discretionary, etc.).

GENERAL

• Standard business hours are anticipated, but occasionally unscheduled evening and weekend work may be needed to meet some high-volume or emergency needs.
• Very occasional out-of-town and overnight business travel will be required (max 3x times a year).

OFFERED COMPENSATION PACKAGE

Because we believe in transparency, the full compensation package for the role is listed below:

• Base salary (specific amount negotiable and to be determined depending on experience)
• Discretionary Annual Bonus (based on personal and Company performance)
• Employer profit share 401(k) contribution to employee of 10% of base salary (no employee match required)
• Cellphone Reimbursement of $150/month
• Fully employer-paid Individual or Family medical insurance (Blue Cross Blue Shield)
• Fully employer-paid dental insurance for Individual or Family (Delta Dental)
• Annual Max HSA Contribution for Family or Individual - 2024 amounts are $8,300 for Family or $4,150 for Individual (can be used to pay for health expenses and any unused amount employee keeps and can invest, use following year, etc.)
• Employer-Paid South Dakota Bar Membership Fee
• 20 Days Paid Time Off (you can roll over up to 5 days annually)
• 14-16 Paid Holidays
• Company events, outings, and perks

Job Type: Full-time

*Exact title for position depends on candidate's prior experience.