Legal Specialist - Collections

Role: Support Credit Union of America's strategic collection objectives by supporting tasks associated with the monitoring, processing, and reporting of activities for bankruptcies, garnishments, tax warrants, and re'marketing clerical duties. Assist with preserving the Credit Union's assets by controlling delinquent loan accounts, collecting delinquent loan payments and/or recovering collateral as needed. Requires a proactive and strong understanding of relevant regulations and the ability to navigate complex legal issues in a financial context.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities:

• Provide legal guidance and support to the collections team on matters related to bankruptcy and collections. Monitor, review, and process required functions in accordance with Potential Bankruptcy and Bankruptcy requirements. Perform duties in accordance with Bankruptcy regulations, policy, and procedure including, but not limited to, review accounts identified as potential bankruptcy, code accounts into Bankruptcy status for protection, review and process accounts appropriately based on data files and information received from the Bankruptcy Servicer. Communicate with the Bankruptcy Servicer when required or appropriate as well as servicing bankruptcy calls and correspondence when received in accordance with bankruptcy restrictions, requirements, policy and procedures.
• Review and prepare legal documents related to collections, including pleadings, affidavits, and court filings. Process garnishments, tax warrants, any other legal notices received by CUA. Assist with maintaining the REPO process, including member communication, refund and insurance claim requests, order titles and process payments associated with sale of collateral.
• Assist in managing litigation cases, including coordinating with external legal counsel and representing the institution in court as necessary. Manage the legal placement with timely assignments, monitoring process of agencies, and payment processing. Assist with debt consolidation settlement reviews. Review settlement requests in collaboration with VP of Account Resolution. Communicate with debt settlement companies as needed. Assist with charge-off checking process following company policy and guidelines.
• Conduct legal research to stay updated on relevant laws and best practices in collections and bankruptcy. Provide training and resources to Account Resolution staff on legal matters and compliance requirements.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state laws, including the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and bankruptcy regulations.
• Assist in resolving disputes with consumers regarding collections and bankruptcy filings.

Knowledge & Skills:

Experience: Three years to five years of similar or related experience in legal support, preferably with a collections department within a financial institution or Bankruptcy legal office.

Education: (1) A two-year college degree, or associate's degree in paralegal studies/legal assisting, or (2) completion of a specialized certification or licensing, or (3) completion of specialized Bankruptcy certification, or (4) job-specific skills acquired through a related field within the financial industry and/or law office.

Other Skills:

• Strong knowledge of bankruptcy law, debt collection practices, and consumer protection regulations.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills; strong written and verbal communication abilities; proficiency in legal research tools and software.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities. Professional phone skills are required at all times providing excellent member service.
• Must be efficient in Microsoft Office, specifically Excel and Word.
• Minimum three (3) years of experience in servicing center environment.
• Experience with Bankruptcy regulations and processes preferred.
• Knowledge of Bankruptcy process, regulations, requirements, and structure preferred.
• General knowledge of collections policies and procedures.
• General knowledge of Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA).
• Knowledge of interpreting, entering, and paying withholding orders including, but not limited to, garnishments, child support, student loans, as well as Federal and State tax levies.