Legal & Bankruptcy Specialist

Job Description:

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Incumbents of this position have a high level of knowledge relative to the civil litigation, legal collection and bankruptcy practices. Provides support for the Recovery and Collection Department personnel in the operation of the department's legal collection effort. Ensures that the Credit Union is represented in the most professional manner while appearing in court and adequately protected to minimize loss within bankruptcy.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Legal:

• Completes the documents necessary for legal action taken by the credit union and ensures their timely submission into the court system. Requests checks for any associated court costs or fees, making sure fees are charged to appropriate account or general ledger.
• Professionally represents the Credit Union in court for judgment and garnishment proceedings.
• Takes appropriate legal actions to effectively obtain, record and exercise collection rights on judgments for collection purposes.
• Ensures proper completion of documents for legal action taken by the Credit Union, and that the most appropriate legal means is utilized to effect collection.
• Maintain a higher level of knowledge relative to the civil litigation and legal collection functions, and acts as a resource for collections and recovery team members.
• Works with outside legal counsel in developing litigation strategies.
• Independently gathers internal documents and information relevant to litigation matters
• Maintains new work log summarizing all legal actions taken by the credit union, and update ALR for assignment.
• Calculate interest on charged off accounts for garnishments and complete garnishment calculation.
• Print garnishments and all documents including envelopes for filing of garnishments with the Clerk's office.
• Completes docket review and case preparation prior to general docket call.
• Performs post judgments duties.
• Make copies of warrants with judgments and no services in order for Collectors to continue collection on an account.
• Notify Members by mail in reference to continued court cases.
• Document ALR and Smart Collector with case updates as needed.
• Send all non-continued warrants and garnishments to Imaging for scanning.
• Assists with periodic update to departmental procedures related to legal action, garnishment, and recording and releasing judgments.
• Prepare Notice of Hearing Applications for Joint Accounts on Bank Account Garnishments.
• Assist Recovery Specialist with posting of Recovery payments and garnishment checks.
• Gives Quality Service to internal and external members.
• Other duties maybe required and assigned by the supervisor.
• Comply with all published enterprise level policies and procedures including, but not limited to, Risk Management policies.
• Complete all required, ongoing enterprise level training including, but not limited to BSA, OFAC, and Information Security.
• Report all Risk Management Policy violations in accordance with policy.

Bankruptcy:

• Assists with routine paperwork, support and processing for bankruptcy program.
• Maintains log summarizing all bankruptcies processed by the department.
• Completes and files proof of claims and prepares bankruptcy reaffirmation agreements.
• Assists with bankruptcy and legal related data entry, account coding and report preparation.
• Provides general support for VACU employees pertaining to bankruptcy questions/concerns.
• Maintains queues and updates queues daily to ensure accounts are handled according to bankruptcy policies.
• Reviews all cases to ensure VACU is adequately protected to minimize loss.
• Assist with yearly update of procedures.
• Post all trustee checks timely and within the month received.
• Post all member checks timely.
• Review cases for secured collateral and prepare repo referrals timely.
• Work with repossession team to assist with locating collateral and providing details for location information only.
• Review all mail and send imperative documents to the appropriate contact for proper handling and ensuring document is imaged.
• Work with outside counsel on bankruptcy legal referrals.
• Attend 341 hearings.
• Give quality service to internal and external members.
• Other duties may be required and assigned by the supervisor.
• Comply with all published enterprise level policies and procedures including, but not limited to, Risk Management policies.
• Complete all required, ongoing enterprise level training including, but not limited to BSA, OFAC, and Information Security.
• Report all Risk Management Policy violations in accordance with policy.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge: Must have working knowledge of credit union products, services, policies and procedures.

Skills: Satisfactory PC and data entry skills required; proficiency with Windows, Word, and Excel (or other spreadsheet software) required; problem solving; possess exceptional organizational and time management skills.

Abilities: Attention to detail; accuracy; speed; initiative; reliability; ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines. Strong Communication skills desired.

Minimum Education and Experience:

High school diploma or equivalent required. Some additional business classes preferred.

One-year business experience preferred. Significant prior experience dealing with the legal collection process or bankruptcy processing preferred.

Proficiency with Windows, Word, and Excel (or other spreadsheet software) required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

This job requires the ability to sit for long periods of time.

This job requires infrequent lifting or carrying of objects up to 10 pounds.