Description

Overview

The General Counsel (“GC”) serves as IFC’s primary legal officer and strategic legal advisor, providing comprehensive legal leadership across all aspects of the company’s business. This role is responsible for overseeing legal risk, transaction support, litigation strategy, regulatory compliance, and the effective operation of IFC’s legal department, while ensuring the company’s interests are protected and advanced in a cost-effective and commercially sound manner.

Key Responsibilities

Enterprise Legal Leadership

• Serve as the principal legal advisor to IFC’s executive leadership, providing strategic counsel on business operations, transactions, risk management, and dispute resolution.
• Maintain overall responsibility for all legal matters affecting IFC, including transactional, litigation, probate, and compliance matters.

Transaction Review & Due Diligence

• Oversee and conduct due diligence review for all transactions submitted for approval, delegating responsibilities to the Vice President of Legal or Assistant Legal Counsel as appropriate.
• Review, evaluate, and provide legal approval, rejection, or commentary on proposed transactions submitted for underwriting consideration.
• Ensure all transactions are structured to protect IFC’s legal and financial interests.

Litigation, Probate, and Post-Funding Oversight

• Review pleadings, correspondence, and other legal documentation required as conditions of funding and/or relating to previously funded transactions, ensuring enforceability, court recognition, and full payment of IFC’s assignments.
• Direct and oversee post-funding legal follow-up, either personally or through delegation to internal legal staff.
• Prepare and file responsive pleadings, petitions, objections, complaints, status requests, and related filings as necessary to facilitate timely payment of assignments.
• Appear in court as needed in California and on a limited, authorized basis in other jurisdictions.
• Retain, manage, and supervise outside counsel when required.
• Lead litigation and settlement strategy for disputed matters.

People & Department Management

• Build, manage, and supervise the legal team.
• Establish best practices and cost controls for the legal department.

Qualifications

Education & Licensure

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Active membership in good standing with the California State Bar.

Experience & Expertise

• Significant legal experience with a preference for probate and estate-related matters.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex legal matters and outside counsel.
• Strong judgment and leadership capabilities.