Inside the Role
Daimler Truck Financial Services USA LLC (DTFS) is seeking an experienced Corporate Counsel with a strong background in financial services and commercial lending to support our captive finance business for the Daimler Truck North America family of brands (which include Freightliner, Western Star, and Thomas Built Bus).
This role is ideal for an attorney who has spent meaningful time in a financial services–focused environment, whether in-house at a financial services organization or captive finance company, at a bank supporting captive finance, or at a law firm advising captive finance or commercial lending clients.
As Corporate Counsel, you will serve as a key legal partner to DTFS business leaders, providing strategic and practical advice across the full lifecycle of commercial finance, secured lending, and customer-facing financial products. You will work closely with cross functional teams—including credit, risk, operations, IT, compliance, and commercial leadership—to enable business objectives while managing regulatory, contractual, and operational risk.
DTFS is the captive finance provider for Daimler Truck North America, supporting dealers and customers through innovative financing solutions for commercial trucks, fleets, and related services. This role offers a unique opportunity to work deeply embedded in a sophisticated captive financial services organization, while partnering with a global brand and a growing North American business.
Posting Information
We provide a scheduled posting end date to assist our candidates with their application planning. While this date reflects our latest plans, it is subject to change, and postings may be extended or removed earlier than expected.
We Take Care of Our Team
Benefits include annual variable pay bonus program; eligible for the use of a company vehicle; 401k company contribution with company match up to 6% as well as non-elective company contribution of 3 - 7% depending on age.; starting at 4 weeks paid vacation; 15 calendar holidays; 8 weeks paid parental leave; employee assistance program; comprehensive health care plans and wellness programs; onsite fitness (at some locations); tuition assistance and volunteer paid time off; short-term and long-term disability plans.
What You Drive at DTFS
Transactional & Project Support
- Provide legal guidance for key DTFS projects and initiatives.
- Serve as a consultant on joint ventures designed to maintain DTFS’ position as a leader in the trucking industry.
- Deliver general transactional legal advice and training to business teams.
- Conduct legal research for transactions and projects, coordinating with outside counsel as needed.
- Assist with dealer and fleet workouts, including drafting modification, forbearance, and related agreements, and conducting loan reviews for troubled accounts.
Regulatory & Legal Compliance
- Support regulatory compliance efforts, including tracking developments, coordinating with outside counsel, and assessing applicability to DTFS business models.
- Advise on general regulatory matters such as credit disputes, FCRA, and ECOA.
- Collaborate with the Local Compliance Officer to ensure alignment on group compliance topics.
- Supervise license renewal processes, respond to state examinations and audits, and address licensing issues.
Litigation & Risk Management
- Manage defensive litigation matters and oversee outside counsel engagement.
- Provide legal support on data protection and information security, advising on risk mitigation and regulatory compliance.
- Partner with the business in implementing credit policies that minimize financial loss.
Operational Legal Support
- Advise the business in the development of innovative dealer programs and new systems to meet the needs of dealers and to facilitate their servicing customers.
- Review and revise legal documents, policies, and procedures for compliance and accuracy.
- Support Procurement with vendor contract review and related matters.
- Provide general support for dealer and fleet documentation, including occasional customization and negotiation with customer or dealer legal counsel.
- Support Client Services, Collections, and Remarketing teams by preparing legally required documents and advising on escalated customer issues.
- Provide support for payment-related issues and products (AutoPay, DT Pay), including refunds, dispute resolution, and escalations. Knowledge of NACHA rules desired.
- Evaluate legal and business considerations to identify practical solutions that meet minimum legal requirements while supporting strategic objectives across a variety of projects. (weekly) (who impacted: various departments).
- Exercise sound legal judgment in assessing potential liability, determining appropriate responses to complaints and litigation, and advising on vendor contracts and procurement matters to ensure balanced risk management and business alignment. (weekly) (who impacted: various departments).
- Serve as a global legal advisor, exercising judgment in cross-border projects involving headquarters in Germany, service centers in Mexico and operations in Canada, ensuring legal alignment and adding strategic value in an international operating landscape. (at least monthly) (who impacted: HQ, NASC, global project coordinators).
Knowledge You Should Bring
- Juris Doctor degree.
- Licensed attorney.
- Minimum of 8 years of work experience.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience with a law firm or company doing commercial transactional work.
Exceptional Candidates Might Have
- Strong knowledge of the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC), particularly as it applies to commercial lending and secured transactions (Article 9).
- Proficiency in legal research and analysis, with the ability to synthesize complex information and provide practical guidance.
- Experience in commercial lending, transactional work, and financial services law.
- Ability to stay current on legal developments affecting commercial lending and financial services through ongoing training and professional development.
- Excellent judgment and decision-making skills, especially in areas involving litigation, risk management, and vendor contracting.
- Effective communicator with the ability to collaborate across departments and in a global business environment.
- Excellent research skills with proficiency in online legal research (WestLaw, etc.).
#LI-DTFSUSA #LI-Hybrid
#LI-CC1
Where We Work
This position is open to applicants who can work in (or relocate to) the following location(s)-
Charlotte, NC US, Fort Mill, SC US. Relocation assistance for this position is available when the selected candidate meets eligibility criteria.
Schedule Type:
Hybrid (4 days per week in-office / 1 day remote). This schedule builds our #OneTeamBestTeam culture, provides an unparalleled customer experience, and creates innovative solutions through in-person collaboration.
