Compliance Officer / Legal Ethics Advisor

Location: Remote

Department: Legal & Compliance

Reports To: Managing Attorney

Job Summary

Counsel Collection Management, PC (CCM), founded in 2025 as an ethical hybrid of a collection agency and law firm, seeks a Compliance Officer / Legal Ethics Advisor to safeguard its operations in recovering unpaid legal fees for attorneys nationwide. This critical role monitors all collection activities for adherence to the California Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (CFDCPA), State Bar regulations, FDCPA, Rosenthal Act, and professional responsibility standards, conducting audits, providing training, and advising on ethical decision-making. In a firm that prioritizes discretion and reputation preservation, you’ll ensure every process aligns with CCM’s commitment to transparent, compliant recovery that builds trust with clients and debtors alike.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement compliance policies, procedures, and audit protocols to ensure all collection activities conform to federal, state, and bar ethics rules.
• Perform quarterly internal audits of case files, communications, and financial records, identifying and mitigating risks related to non-compliance.
• Advise legal and collections teams on ethical dilemmas, such as handling sensitive debtor information or navigating referral fee structures under Rule 1.5.1.
• Deliver ongoing staff training programs on debt collection laws, ethical fee recovery best practices, and updates to regulatory frameworks.
• Review and approve all outbound communications, including demand letters and settlement offers, for legal accuracy and tone.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory changes (e.g., via State Bar alerts) and update CCM’s operations accordingly, including revising templates and workflows.
• Collaborate with external counsel or regulators as needed for compliance inquiries or disputes.
• Prepare compliance reports for leadership, highlighting metrics like audit findings, training completion rates, and risk exposure.
• Support the intake process by vetting new cases for compliance viability, such as verifying fee agreements and statute of limitations.
• Foster a culture of ethics by integrating compliance checkpoints into daily workflows and case management software.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Law, Business, or related field; J.D. preferred, with California State Bar membership as an asset.
• 4+ years in compliance, risk management, or legal ethics roles, ideally in collections or financial services.
• Expertise in CFDCPA, FDCPA, Rosenthal Act, and California Rules of Professional Conduct.
• Strong analytical skills for auditing and interpreting complex regulations.
• Proficiency in compliance software (e.g., ComplySci) and data analysis tools like Excel.
• Exceptional attention to detail and ability to communicate complex legal concepts clearly.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Compliance & Ethics Professional (CCEP) or similar certification.
• Experience in law firm operations or debt collection agencies with a focus on attorney clients.
• Knowledge of ABA ethics opinions on fee disputes and referral programs.
• Ability to conduct virtual training sessions for remote teams.

What We Offer Be part of CCM’s integrity-first culture, where your expertise directly protects our mission of ethical recovery. We provide a supportive environment with professional development stipends, health/dental/vision coverage, paid parental leave, and opportunities to advance your career in a firm that values discretion and professional growth.