Compliance Attorney

WHO WE ARE:

Service, Respect, and Connection are core to the individual and collective TRS experience. We know that great service rests on a foundation of relationships that connect us all to an empowering and rewarding career. At TRS, we’re inspired by our diverse community who bring authenticity and commitment to our mission to improve the retirement security of public education employees and retirees throughout Texas.

As a group of achievers, we tap collaboration and innovation to raise the bar in performance, administering and counseling pensions and healthcare benefits to ensure certainty for the future of our members. We invite you to join us, where both personal and career growth are respected and where you can make a difference in our members’ lives every day.

Fellowship Program Position: This Fellowship Program position is a full-time, temporary, limited term assignment not to exceed three years from the date of hire. It is intended for individuals that have graduated with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited college or university within the last 12 months.

The Compliance Attorney is responsible for providing research, counsel and related services regarding compliance and ethics, data governance including AI, privacy, and security, and legal aspects of enterprise risk management. The incumbent will render legal advice and counsel, participate and plan legal activities, prepare legal documents, and interpret laws and regulations. This position will proactively work with the TRS legal & compliance team, members of TRS executive and leadership teams, and agency employees.

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

Compliance & Ethics
•Conducts research on legal and ethical opinions and drafts memorandums.
•Provides input into the development, implementation, revision or enforcement of policies, procedures, and training within responsibility of TRS Compliance program.
•Reviews compliance reports, certifications, and documents; identifies weaknesses or issues; and recommends and monitors corrective actions.
•Participates in the Ethics Compliance program, as needed, including implementing, monitoring, and testing.
•Manages a variety of compliance-related tools and assists in maximizing use of automated functionality.
•Participates in investigations and resolution.
•Reviews forms, correspondence, reports, and other documents for completeness and acceptability.
•Reviews and analyzes forms and recommends changes to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
•Completes special projects.

Data Governance & Risk Management
•Assists with reviewing, researching, and providing legal advice on issues in data governance generally, as well as aspects of the topic such as privacy, security, and AI.
•Drafts legal documents including memoranda, correspondence, policies and procedures, and other related documents.
•Advises staff on legal matters and on the interpretation and applications of agency regulation and state and federal laws.
•Assists with implementation of new legal and regulatory requirements.

Fellowship Curriculum
•Participates in trainings and projects related to the TRS Fellowship Program including webinars, quarterly check-ins, classes or other learning activities, book group, projects, and the mentoring program.
•Meets TRS Fellowship Program deadlines and goals for completion of trainings in deliverables in a timely manner.

Legal and Compliance Support
•Researches, compiles, and analyzes data; enters data into spreadsheets, databases, and other automated applications; organizes and writes litigation and administrative appeal files; and prepares complex queries and reports.
•Reviews forms, correspondence, reports, and other documents for completeness and acceptability.
•Reviews and analyzes agency policies, procedures, and forms and recommends changes to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
•Completes special projects.
•Performs related work as assigned.

WHAT YOU WILL BRING:

Required Education
•Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school within the last 12 months.

Required Experience
•None.

Required Registration, Certification, or Licensure
•Licensed to practice law in the State of Texas and a member in good standing of the State Bar of Texas; or hold a valid, active law license issued by another state and be eligible for Texas licensure under Board of Law Examiners Rule XIII: Attorneys from Other Jurisdictions (candidate must obtain Texas license within six (6) months of hire date).

Preferred Qualifications
•None.

Knowledge Of
•State and federal laws and regulations that govern data governance, data security, enterprise risk management practices and requirements, and ethics.
•Professional or industry ethical standards or codes, Standards of Professional Conduct.
•Statistical concepts, methods, and models, and their application to compliance and risk management functions.
•Privacy and confidentiality laws.
•Requirements for effective compliance programs, such as those set forth in OIG Guidance and Federal Sentencing Guidelines or Federal securities laws.
•Governance practices for public entitles (state or corporate).

Skills In
•Performing legal research and analysis of relevant information and in rendering advice based on sound legal judgment.
•Effective written and verbal communications in developing and advocating legal positions, giving advice, and preparing and presenting complex legal documents or reports.
•Identifying and analyzing problems and devising effective solutions.
•Using a computer in a Windows environment with Microsoft Office word processing, spreadsheet, and other business software, including using software for electronic research and producing briefs, correspondence, reports, spreadsheets, and presentations.
•Task management and organization, including prioritizing work assignments to manage a high- volume workload in a fast-paced and changing environment, meeting deadlines, and completing detailed work with a high degree of accuracy.

Ability To
•Manage multiple projects with tight deadlines.
•Work extended and/or irregular hours and travel as needed due to internal and external obligations.
•Establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with co-workers, TRS staff, and external contacts.
•Work effectively in a professional team environment.