Bankruptcy and Transactional Paralegal

At Stearns Bank, we’re helping people, entrepreneurs, small businesses, and local communities nationwide reach their full financial potential. Sound like something you want to be a part of? If so, we’re currently looking for a Bankruptcy and Transactional Paralegal. This is a Connected and Flexible Work Environment.

Come see how we’re doing business unusual and charting our own path to reimagine a more inclusive financial services and banking ecosystem for all.

Benefits

Stearns Bank understands and respects that everyone is managing unique career, family, and wellness needs. That’s why we offer industry-leading benefits to employees to help them live healthy lives and bring their full selves to work every day. Benefits may vary for part-time positions. Some of those benefits include:

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan & 401k Plan 
• Healthcare (Medical, Dental, Vision, Telehealth, Life insurance)
• 12-week Paid Medical Leave
• Paid Parental Leave: 21-weeks Primary Care Parent, 14-weeks Secondary Care Parent
• $5,000 Family Care Reimbursement: Childcare, Elder Care, Student Loan Debt, Pet expenses, down payment assistance
• PTO from 13 to 23 days depending on tenure. Cashout and Carryover options.
• 10 Days Sick Time
• 4 Days Volunteer Time

• 11 Paid Holidays

• 2 Days Self Allowance Time

• Tuition Assistance

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan & 401k Plan 
• Healthcare (Medical, Dental, Vision, Telehealth, Life insurance)
• 12-week Paid Medical Leave
• Paid Parental Leave: 21-weeks Primary Care Parent, 14-weeks Secondary Care Parent
• $5,000 Family Care Reimbursement: Childcare, Elder Care, Student Loan Debt, Pet expenses, down payment assistance
• PTO from 13 to 23 days depending on tenure. Cashout and Carryover options.
• 10 Days Sick Time
• 4 Days Volunteer Time

• Tuition Assistance

For this position, we anticipate an annual salary range between $60,000 - $80,000. Final employment offers will be dependent upon the selected candidate’s relevant qualifications and experience.

Job Summary

Under the direction of the Managing Paralegal, the Paralegal is responsible for handling bankruptcy matters, and a variety of other legal matters, as a member of the Legal team. The Paralegal will work closely with Bank attorneys and various other Bank personnel to provide legal assistance in the areas of bankruptcy and general transactional support.

Responsibilities

• At the direction of Bank attorneys and the Managing Paralegal, provide support to Legal team in managing all bankruptcy matters and a comprehensive range of transactional matters.
• Process new bankruptcy case filings, monitor case activity, and communicate relevant events to Bank personnel.
• Oversee post-confirmation bankruptcy plan performance.
• Prepare and file proofs of claims, relevant amendments, and reaffirmation agreements.
• Correspond with debtors’ counsel, bankruptcy trustees, other creditors, and bankruptcy court personnel.
• Assist in engaging and managing local outside counsel in bankruptcy matters.
• Provide recommendations and legal support relating to bankruptcy matters and a variety of general transactional matters which may include review and analysis of Bank loan documents, Bank account agreements, purchase and sale agreements, non-disclosure agreements, and third-party vendor contracts.
• Research legal issues and statutes / regulations and brief Bank attorneys and management on research and recommendations.
• Assist in the development of streamlined and improved procedures and processes and recommend safeguards and improved efficiencies to minimize risk exposure.
• Maintain working knowledge of applicable legal and regulatory compliance issues.
• Complete all required training.
• Assist with special projects as needed.
• Assist with some litigation tasks as needed

Requirements

• Occasionally lift and / or move up to 10 lbs.
• Ability to understand and follow instructions in English.
• Ability to sit for extended periods of time, twist, bend, sit, walk use hands to twist, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls, such as computer mouse, computer keyboard, calculator, stapler, telephone, staple puller, etc., reach with hands and arms, balance, stoop, kneel, talk, or hear.
• Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of paralegal work experience (including 3 years of bankruptcy experience) required.
• Paralegal Degree or Certificate preferred.
• Background in secured transactions and lender’s rights, collections, commercial transactions, corporate law, and / or third-party vendor management preferred.
• Experience serving banks or financial institutions, either in-house or through a law firm, preferred.
• Meticulous attention to detail.
• Strong critical thinking and analytic skills.
• Ability to synthesize information and communicate efficiently and effectively with attorneys, management, and other financial professionals.
• Top-notch legal research and writing skills.
• Extremely resourceful, organized, and ability to prioritize and manage a large workload of diverse matters independently.

The Company

Founded in 1912, Stearns Financial Services Inc. (SFSI) is a $3.2 billion, independently owned financial institution with locations in Minnesota, Florida and Arizona, and over 35,000 small business customers nationwide. Specializing in affordable housing financing, USDA and SBA lending, and small business and equipment financing, Stearns Bank is regularly recognized as one of the country’s top-performing banks and “Best Banks to Work For” by American Banker.

As a Star Tribune Top Workplaces award recipient and an award recipient of the Minnesota Business Magazine 100 Best Places to Work in Minnesota, Stearns takes pride in their team and holds their employees in extremely high regard. We offer a competitive salary and benefit package including our Employee Stock Ownership Program-one of the best long-term incentive programs in the nation. To learn more about Stearns Bank, visit www. StearnsBank.com

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER /AFFIRMATIVE ACTION PLAN

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, or creed, religion, sex, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran’s status, status with regard to public assistance, or any other class protected by Federal, State, local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.