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 7000+ career agents and registered representatives. MMFA distribution also 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 primarily responsible for supporting MMLIS by developing substantive relationships with multiple business areas (including product, operations, technology) 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 FINRA, SEC 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:

• Providing legal support for FINRA, SEC and state regulatory examinations, inquiries, and enforcement matters, both routine and complex, partnering with the business and Compliance. 
• Advising on key business, product development, and operational projects and initiatives
• Proactively monitoring and advising on proposed and current regulations and legislation, as well as other legal developments 
• Proactively identifying/recommending action steps to mitigate identified areas of legal risk
• 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 across business and compliance areas

• Six plus years in a top law firm, in-house law department, or regulatory agency dealing with investment adviser and broker-dealer issues
• Expertise with the federal and state investment advisory/securities laws applicable to retail investment advisers, broker-dealers and wealth management services
• Expertise in federal and state best interest and fiduciary rules including Regulation Best Interest and ERISA
• Experience handling regulatory matters. Excellent organizational, advocacy, interpersonal, research and verbal and written communication skills
• Must be results focused, hardworking, hands on and creative
• Demonstrated academic achievement.
• 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.
• Ability to work in a small-team environment, as well as independently and to multi-task with minimal supervision
• 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.