Northern Trust

Senior Legal Counsel—Litigation, Investigations & Regulatory Enforcement

Northern Trust$160K — $272K *
Legal & Accounting
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • J.D. degree from an accredited law school; active Illinois attorney license required.
  • At least 5 years of business litigation experience, preferably in highly regulated industries.
  • Experience leading witness preparations and managing complex discovery processes.
  • Proficient in subpoena and discovery responses, with strong understanding of electronic and written discovery.
  • Familiarity with document management systems (Everlaw, Relativity, etc.) and secure document sharing methods.
  • Tech-savvy with strong analytical, leadership, and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

  • Manages all aspects of litigation and regulatory enforcement matters within Northern Trust.
  • Develops and implements legal strategies in consultation with senior internal counsel.
  • Reviews and provides recommendations on legal documents proposed by outside counsel.
  • Advises partners on litigation strategy and risk management.
  • Oversees internal discovery efforts in coordination with internal e-discovery teams.
  • Drafts and implements legal hold notices.
  • Leads factual investigations supporting litigation and regulatory compliance.
  • Prepares partners for depositions and court hearings, ensuring effective testimony.
  • Conducts complex legal research and prepares detailed summaries of findings.
  • Collaborates with internal teams and external parties during investigations and information-gathering processes.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health benefits including medical, dental, and vision.
  • 401k and pension retirement benefits.
  • Paid time off and parental/caregiver leave.
  • Disability and life insurance coverage.
  • Discretionary bonus program that may include equity components.
Full Job Description

This position reports to the Global Head of Litigation, Investigation & Regulatory Enforcement. The Litigation, Investigation & Regulatory Enforcement group has a global mandate, advising all Northern Trust entities on an array of legal matters, including pre-litigation business problems, corporate and representative litigation, government inquiries, cyber, privacy and internal investigations. This role will focus on general corporate litigation, litigation arising out of nonfiduciary client services, internal investigations and regulatory enforcement matters.

Major Duties:

  • Manages and supports all aspects of pending and threatened litigation, new or ongoing investigations and a variety of regulatory enforcement matters for Northern Trusts Legal Department.
  • Develops appropriate strategy in consultation with senior internal counsel. Implements strategy and proactively coordinates deliverables with internal and external partners.
  • Reviews, revises and makes timely recommendations to senior internal counsel regarding memoranda, motions practice and draft agreements proposed by outside counsel.
  • Advises Northern Trust partners on litigation strategy and risk.
  • Oversees internal discovery efforts with or without outside counsel, including coordination with internal e-discovery team about document identification, searching, collection, and production.
  • Drafts, facilitates and implements legal hold notices.
  • Leads and supervises factual investigations in connection with a wide range of legal issues to identify problems and to support pending and potential litigation, investigations and regulatory enforcement.
  • Effectively and respectfully interacts with partners (e.g., relationship managers, Risk/Compliance, Tax, Legal Department, Human Resources) or external parties (e.g., regulators, other financial institutions, investigations staff) in the course of information gathering, as appropriate.
  • Conducts complex research and timely prepares summaries of findings.
  • Provides assistance in responding to regulatory inquiries and complaints.
  • Responsible for preparing partners, with or without the assistance of outside counsel or senior internal counsel, for deposition and trial/hearing testimony.
  • Supports team tracking and reporting requirements.
  • Handles assorted miscellaneous litigation matters with minimal supervision.
  • Researches and recommends hiring of and works collaboratively with outside counsel and other legal and forensic vendors.

Knowledge/Skills:

This role requires collaboration, confidence, insightfulness and tech-savvy. The candidate must have strong leadership, analytical abilities and judgment. The position also requires exceptional communication and organizational skills to work effectively and cooperatively with internal and external clients, management and staff and to coordinate business functions with other departments on dozens of matters simultaneously.

Experience:

  • Must possess a J.D. degree from an accredited law school and must meet attorney licensing requirements in the jurisdiction in which the position will be located, prior to and after commencing employment.
  • Must have a valid license to practice law in Illinois and at least 5 years as a lawyer with a full-time business litigation practice and experience advising clients in highly regulated industries. An ideal candidate also will have represented financial services clients in litigation and regulatory enforcement matters.
  • Must have experience as the lead lawyer preparing witnesses and supervising complex discovery in business litigation.
  • Must have experience with subpoena and discovery responses, including document identification, collection, and production. A successful candidate will understand written and electronic discovery well-enough and will learn Northern Trusts data map well-enough to, for example, spot problems with discovery suggestions from outside or opposing counsel and advise senior internal counsel accordingly.
  • Must have familiarity with legal holds, document management applications (such as Everlaw, Relativity, Concordance, Nebula, etc.) and secure electronic document sharing (such as FTP sites).
  • This is a hybrid role located in Chicago, Illinois, and will work out of Northern Trusts offices in downtown Chicago at least three days per week.

Working Model: Hybrid (#LI-Hybrid)

We have a balanced hybrid working model to ensure you get the flexibility you need, and the successful candidate will spend their time between working in the office and working from home.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for employment-based visa sponsorship now or in the future. Northern Trust will not sponsor applicants for U.S. work visa status for this opportunity (no sponsorship is available for H-1B, L-1, TN, O-1, E-3, H-1B1, F-1, J-1, OPT, CPT or any other employment-based visa)

Salary Range:

$160,100 - 272,300 USD

Salary range is a good faith estimate of base pay. Northern Trust provides a comprehensive benefits package including retirement benefits (401k and pension), health and welfare benefits (medical, dental, vision, spending accounts and disability), paid time off, parental and caregiver leave, life & accident insurance, and other voluntary and well-being benefits. Northern Trust also provides a discretionary bonus program that may include an equity component.


About Northern Trust

Northern Trust is a global leader in delivering innovative investment management, asset and fund administration, and fiduciary and banking solutions to corporations, institutions, and affluent individuals. They have evolved with the changing needs of their clients and their world.

Northern Trust Careers

Joining Northern Trust means becoming part of a global financial services institution that is dedicated to providing expert guidance and innovative solutions to its clients. At Northern Trust, we pride ourselves on fostering a culture of leadership, diversity, and innovation, which makes us a premier destination for career growth in the financial industry.

Work You’ll Do

At Northern Trust, you will collaborate with some of the most talented professionals in the financial sector. Our team is committed to excellence and equipped with a diverse range of skills that contribute to our dynamic environment. Here, you will have the opportunity to lead projects that transform our services and drive significant value for our clients across the globe.

Explore Job Opportunities and Internships

Whether you are starting your career or looking to make a significant impact in the financial industry, Northern Trust offers a variety of job opportunities and internships that will help you achieve your professional goals. From entry-level positions to leadership roles, our company is actively hiring individuals who are passionate, curious, and driven to excel.

Innovative Work

Northern Trust is at the forefront of financial innovation. Our employees are encouraged to think creatively and leverage cutting-edge technologies to solve complex problems. By joining our team, you will work on pioneering solutions that redefine the standards of financial services.

Be Part of a Great Team

Our team at Northern Trust is more than just a group of employees – we are a community. We value collaboration, and our culture is built on mutual respect and a commitment to diversity and inclusion. Working with us, you will experience a supportive network that is passionate about sharing knowledge and ideas.

Future-Proof Your Career

Northern Trust is dedicated to your professional development. We offer comprehensive benefits, diversity training, and numerous resources to help you grow your career. With our support, you can expand your skills, gain valuable experience, and achieve professional certifications that will enhance your career trajectory.

Stay Connected

Join Our Team

Discover the perfect role for you at Northern Trust by exploring our current job openings that match your skills and interests. We are looking for professionals who are solution-driven and eager to contribute to our legacy of financial excellence.

Keep Up to Date

Stay informed with the latest career tips, industry insights, and professional growth opportunities—all available through our careers blog. At Northern Trust, we ensure that our team members are always ahead in the industry.

Job Alert Emails

Customize your experience by subscribing to job alerts and insider tips tailored to your preferences. At Northern Trust, exciting and rewarding opportunities are always on the horizon, and we are eager to see where your talents can take us. Join Northern Trust today and be part of a company that values innovation, leadership, and a diverse and inclusive workplace. Here, every position is a chance to contribute to something bigger and to turn your job into a meaningful career.
Learn more about Northern Trust
Size
21,100 employees
Market Cap
$18.1 billion
Industry
Net Income
$1.2 billion
Founded
1889
5 Year Trend
+4.9%
Revenue
$6.1 billion
NASDAQ

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