Lead Counsel - Investment Advisor Practice Group

The Opportunity

As a member of MassMutual’s Legal Department, you will be an integral member of MassMutual’s distribution attorney team, responsible for providing legal advice and counsel supporting MassMutual’s retail investment adviser and broker-dealer, with over 6,500 financial professionals nationwide and over $250 billon in client assets. 

The Team

MassMutual Financial Advisors (“MMFA”) serves as the career agency distribution channel at MassMutual, providing a wide range of products and services, including life insurance, disability income insurance, long term care insurance and annuities, distributed through over 6500+ career agents and registered representatives. MassMutual Wealth Management (“MMWM”) includes brokerage and advisory products and solutions sold through MML Investors Services (“MMLIS”), MassMutual’s retail broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser. 

As Lead Counsel, you will be one of the attorneys primarily responsible for supporting MMLIS, with a focus on its growing investment advisory business, by developing substantive relationships with multiple business areas (including product and operations) and providing legal/regulatory advice on new product initiatives, new and existing rules, policies and procedures, and other matters. You will also partner closely with Compliance to provide legal support for SEC, FINRA, and state regulatory examinations, inquiries, and enforcement matters. You will promote an environment that fosters and supports diversity and inclusion, values pro bono opportunities and reflects MassMutual’s mission and goals.

The Impact

The Lead Counsel will be responsible for:

• Supporting the expansion of MMWM, including advising on key business, product development and operational projects, including enhancements to offerings on our investment advisory and broker-dealer platform.
• Proactively monitoring and advising on proposed and current regulations and legislation, as well as other legal developments impacting broker-dealers and investment advisers. 
• Proactively identifying/recommending action steps to mitigate identified areas of legal risk.
• Providing legal support for SEC, FINRA and state regulatory examinations, inquiries, and enforcement matters, both routine and complex, partnering with the business and Compliance. 
• Working with outside counsel in managing larger enforcement matters brought by the firm’s regulators.
• Developing and maintaining relationships with multiple regulatory contacts and industry groups.
• Providing technical support to the Company’s government relations team on legislative and regulatory issues impacting the Company.
• Overseeing and participating in internal investigations, as needed.
• Developing and maintaining relationships with business and compliance leaders, as well as with industry contacts and industry groups.
• Effectively managing outside counsel.

THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• A minimum of 4 years in a top law firm, in-house law department, or regulatory agency dealing with investment adviser and broker-dealer issues.
• JD from an accredited law school, a member of the Bar in good standing (any state), and the ability to become licensed for in-house practice in Massachusetts if not now licensed in Massachusetts.
• Must be able to pass a background check required under FINRA rules.
• Must be authorized to work in the US without sponsorship now or in the future.

THE IDEAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Expertise with the federal and state investment advisory/securities laws applicable to investment advisers, broker-dealers and wealth management services.
• Expertise in federal and state best interest and fiduciary rules including Regulation Best Interest, Advisers Act and ERISA.
• Experience handling securities enforcement and examination matters.
• Effective management presence and excellent interpersonal, communication and writing skills.
• Ability to identify issues, exercise sound judgment, and provide practical legal advice in a fast-paced environment, while navigating a complex regulatory landscape.
• Strong client relationship skills and the ability to consult with all levels of management.
• Intellectual curiosity, collegiality, initiative and independence.

#LI-IZ1

MassMutual is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer Minority/Female/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/Individual with Disability/Protected Veteran. We welcome all persons to apply. Note: Veterans are welcome to apply, regardless of their discharge status.

If you need an accommodation to complete the application process, please contact us and share the specifics of the assistance you need.