Deputy General Counsel - Litigation

## About the Role As a Deputy General Counsel at Mercury, you will play a critical role in managing the company's litigation and enforcement function. This involves overseeing a wide range of adversarial matters, including civil litigation, arbitration, investigations, and regulatory enforcement. Your expertise will be crucial in setting litigation strategy, managing risk, and ensuring that disputes do not hinder the company's ability to innovate and scale. You will be working closely with senior leadership and the Board to advise on high-stakes situations, requiring a calm and trusted presence even in times of ambiguity and tight deadlines.

The role is part of Mercury's Legal team, which is dedicated to supporting the company's mission to build a modern banking experience. The team's focus is on thinking from first principles, emphasizing the importance of creativity, practicality, and a willingness to challenge conventional approaches. As a key member of this team, you will have the opportunity to contribute to the development of systems, playbooks, and strategies that will enable Mercury to handle litigation and enforcement matters efficiently and effectively as it continues to grow.

Mercury is a company that values innovation, speed, and responsible growth. It operates in a highly regulated environment, which necessitates a deep understanding of legal and regulatory requirements. The company's commitment to scalability, security, and compliance means that your role will be pivotal in ensuring that Mercury maintains its reputation for trustworthiness and reliability among its clients and stakeholders.

## What You Will Do - Own Mercury's litigation and disputes portfolio, including civil litigation, arbitration, investigations, regulatory enforcement, and other adversarial matters.

• Set litigation strategy grounded in facts, risk tolerance, and business context, ensuring that decisions are informed and aligned with the company's goals.
• Build and scale Mercury's litigation function, including the development of playbooks, escalation frameworks, and outside counsel strategy, with the aim of achieving differentiated outcomes.
• Oversee subpoena and government request response, balancing the need for speed, rigor, and practicality to ensure timely and effective compliance.
• Advise senior leadership and the Board during high-stakes situations, providing clear, concise, and actionable advice that considers the company's overall strategy and objectives.
• Identify patterns across matters and partner with internal teams to reduce future risk through better systems, product design, or processes, driving a proactive approach to risk management.
• Be a calm, trusted presence when issues are ambiguous and timelines are short, providing reassurance and guidance to stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain relationships with external counsel, ensuring that Mercury receives high-quality legal advice and representation.
• Stay updated on legal and regulatory developments that could impact Mercury's operations, advising the company on necessary adjustments to its strategies and practices.

## What We Are Looking For - 12+ years of legal experience, with significant litigation or enforcement experience, preferably in the fintech, financial services, or government sectors.

• An exceptional communicator and advocate, able to explain complex legal issues clearly and persuasively to both legal and non-legal stakeholders.
• A strategic, practical thinker who can weigh risk without slowing the business unnecessarily, demonstrating a keen sense of judgment and decision-making skills.
• Comfortable owning decisions and giving direct advice when there's no obvious right answer, showing the ability to navigate uncertainty and ambiguity.
• Creativity is required, along with a willingness to push beyond traditional approaches to achieve outsized outcomes for Mercury.
• Experience with government investigations/enforcement (federal + state) and a pragmatic response posture, indicating an understanding of how to manage regulatory scrutiny effectively.
• Strong legal-tech instincts, including the ability to evaluate tools, deploy them responsibly, and drive adoption to make the team more efficient and effective.

## Nice to Have - A mix of in-house experience at a technology company (particularly in regulated industries) along with a strong law firm litigation background, providing a blend of corporate and legal perspectives.

• Fintech, financial services, and/or government experience, offering specific insights into the regulatory and operational challenges faced by Mercury.
• Experience with AI and other legal technologies, demonstrating an ability to leverage technology for improved legal outcomes and efficiency.
• A record of building and leading high-performing teams, indicating the ability to motivate and manage legal professionals effectively.

## Benefits and Perks - Competitive compensation package, reflecting the importance of this role to Mercury's success.

• Opportunities for professional growth and development, including training and education initiatives tailored to the legal profession.
• Flexible working arrangements, including remote work options, to support work-life balance and productivity.
• Comprehensive health insurance and wellness programs, prioritizing the well-being of Mercury's employees.
• Generous PTO policy, allowing for adequate rest and relaxation.
• Access to cutting-edge legal technology and tools, facilitating efficient and effective legal practice.
• The chance to work with a talented, dedicated team that is passionate about innovation and customer satisfaction.

- Develop a strong understanding of fintech regulations and trends, as this will be essential in advising Mercury on compliance and risk management.

• Highlight your experience with litigation and enforcement matters, particularly in the context of financial services or government investigations.
• Prepare to discuss your approach to risk management and decision-making under pressure, demonstrating your ability to navigate complex legal and business issues.
• Showcase your communication skills through clear, concise examples of how you have explained complex legal concepts to non-legal stakeholders.
• Be ready to talk about your experience with legal technology and how you see it evolving the practice of law, especially in the context of litigation and enforcement.
• Research Mercury's products and services to understand how legal counsel can support the company's mission and goals, demonstrating your interest in the company beyond the role.
• Consider preparing questions about the company culture, team dynamics, and opportunities for growth, showing your enthusiasm for the position and your willingness to contribute to Mercury's success.