Upstart
Senior Legal Counsel, Capital Markets
Job Summary
The Senior Legal Counsel role at Upstart involves providing legal and strategic guidance on capital markets transactions, including asset-backed securitizations and debt deals. The candidate should have extensive experience in structured finance, debt negotiations, and financial regulations, with a strong legal background from top-tier law firms, financial institutions, or regulators. The position requires a self-starter capable of working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and collaborating closely with finance teams. This role offers the flexibility of remote work across the U.S. and includes comprehensive benefits and potential bonuses.
Required Skills
Benefits
Job Description
About Upstart
Upstart is the leading AI lending marketplace partnering with banks and credit unions to expand access to affordable credit. By leveraging Upstart's AI marketplace, Upstart-powered banks and credit unions can have higher approval rates and lower loss rates across races, ages, and genders, while simultaneously delivering the exceptional digital-first lending experience their customers demand. More than 80% of borrowers are approved instantly, with zero documentation to upload.
Upstart is a digital-first company, which means that most Upstarters live and work anywhere in the United States. However, we also have offices in San Mateo, California; Columbus, Ohio; and Austin, Texas.
Most Upstarters join us because they connect with our mission of enabling access to effortless credit based on true risk. If you are energized by the impact you can make at Upstart, we’d love to hear from you!
The Team
Upstart’s legal team is a key component of the company, helping Upstart innovate in the fintech space across multiple products and supporting its mission of expanding access to credit based on true risk. We are a team of savvy, hardworking and genuinely nice individuals collaborating closely with the business in achieving its objectives.
As a Senior Legal Counsel at Upstart, you will lead support our capital markets team in day-to-day matters as they arise (including on asset-backed securitizations, warehouse financings, and investment funds). This role requires someone who is adaptable and can think outside of the box, with a broad knowledge of regulations, capital markets practices, and interest in negotiating increasingly complex debt deals and related agreements.
How you’ll make an impact
- Work closely with our capital markets and finance teams
- Negotiate and draft debt financing structures, warehouses, and ABS deals
- Support other team members in addressing issues as they arise
- Provide legal and strategic guidance to assess and mitigate legal risk by building a deep understanding of the business and collaborating with legal colleagues and internal clients, including taking ownership of increasingly complex agreements within larger finance structures
Minimum Qualifications
- J.D. degree with solid academic credentials and a state bar membership
- 7+ years of experience at a top-tier law firm, financial institution, or regulator with experience in structured finance deals
- Self-starter who thrives under limited direction and is excited by challenges
- Eager to develop expertise in new or unfamiliar areas of law
- Adaptability; willingness to be flexible and excited to work in a dynamic and fast-paced environment
Preferred Qualifications
- Strong law firm training
- Well organized
- Broad knowledge of financial regulations and
Position Location - This role is available in the following locations: Remote
Time Zone Requirements - This team operates on the East/West Coast time zones.
Travel Requirements - As a digital first company, the majority of your work can be accomplished remotely. The majority of our employees can live and work anywhere in the U.S but are encouraged to to still spend high quality time in-person collaborating via regular onsites. The in-person sessions’ cadence varies depending on the team and role; most teams meet once or twice per quarter for 2-4 consecutive days at a time.If you need to travel to make these meetups, Upstart will cover all travel related expenses.
At Upstart, your base pay is one part of your total compensation package. The anticipated base salary for this position is expected to be within the below range. Your actual base pay will depend on your geographic location–with our “digital first” philosophy, Upstart uses compensation regions that vary depending on location. Individual pay is also determined by job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.
In addition, Upstart provides employees with target bonuses, equity compensation, and generous benefits packages (including medical, dental, vision, and 401k).
Upstart is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer. We are dedicated to ensuring that underrepresented classes receive better access to affordable credit, and are just as committed to embracing diversity and inclusion in our hiring practices. We celebrate all cultures, backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, and know that we can only become better together.
If you require reasonable accommodation in completing an application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please email [email protected]
Upstart
A lending platform using AI to provide personal loans and credit solutions with a focus on fair and fast approvals.
See more jobsSafe Remote Job Search Tips
Verify Employer Thoroughly
Research the company's identity thoroughly before applying. Check for a professional website with contacts, active social media, and LinkedIn profiles. Verify details across platforms and look for reviews on Glassdoor or Trustpilot to confirm legitimacy.
Never Pay to Get a Job
Legitimate employers never require payment for applications, training, background checks, or equipment. Always reject upfront payment requests or demands for bank details, even if they claim it's for purchasing necessary work gear on your behalf.
Safeguard Your Personal Information
Protect sensitive data like SSN, bank details, or ID copies. Share this only after accepting a formal, written job offer. Ensure it's submitted via a secure company system or portal, never through insecure channels like standard email attachments.
Scrutinize Communication & Interviews
Watch for communication red flags: poor grammar, generic emails (@gmail), vague details, or undue pressure. Be highly suspicious of interviews held only via text or chat apps; legitimate companies typically use video or phone calls.
Beware of Unrealistic Offers
If an offer's salary or benefits seem unrealistically high for the work involved, be cautious. Research standard pay for similar roles. Offers that appear 'too good to be true' are often scams designed to lure you into providing information or payment.
Insist on a Formal Contract
Always secure and review a formal, written job offer or employment contract before starting work or sharing final personal details. Ensure it clearly defines your role, compensation, key terms, and conditions to avoid misunderstandings or scams.