Paralegal

Ascend is the largest credit union in Middle Tennessee and one of the largest credit unions in the United States, with over $4 billion in assets. With an occupation-based field of membership, Ascend is focused on the expansion and diversification of the select employee groups it serves, which creates greater security for the credit union and its member-owners. Approximately 650 employees serve more than 260,000 members from 28 Middle Tennessee branch locations, Regional Operations Center, Teller Center and Corporate Headquarters. Ascend recognizes that its employees are critical to the credit union’s sustained success and future growth. Our employees are the face of the credit union and their personal successes fuel the success of the team. Through collaboration between employees, management, our membership and our Board, we fuel an engine that propels the credit union forward.

Thank you for your interest in a career with Ascend Federal Credit Union! Being employed by Ascend is vastly different than just holding a job. The credit union prides itself on providing employees rewarding career opportunities, competitive benefits and a unique work culture. The credit union’s commitment to its employees is fostered by its commitment to the member-owners, ensuring dedicated and engaged employees to serve the membership. Ascend’s vision to be the most loved credit union in our market by employees and members alike has earned the credit union distinctions including Federal Credit Union of the Year (NAFCU, 2015), Best Credit Union to Work For (2016-2023) and Training APEX Awards (2015-2024).

The paralegal is responsible for investigating facts, researching law and preparing legal documents to assist the Corporate Counsel and Chief Legal Officer in enforcing, protecting and defending Ascend's legal rights, particularly in the areas of creditor rights.

#LI-Onsite

• Bankruptcy:
• Upon receipt of bankruptcy notice, maintenance bankruptcy accounts, including deleting PIN (Star and Online Banking), maintenance of credit report, deleting payroll, updating attention message, deleting lines of credit, entering E-Note, notifying accounting that ATM cards have been hot carded, e-mailing accounting to revoke freedom cards.
• Process all bankruptcy notices, including retrieving files, requesting or obtaining statement copies and histories of accounts.
• Prepare and file bankruptcy claims, motions, orders and agreements.
• Communicate with members, outside counsel, opposing counsel and court personnel regarding pending bankruptcy statuses and factual information.
• Prepare file for meeting of creditors.
• Prepare monthly reports for executive management.
• Maintenance bankruptcy accounts, including updating E-Notes, attention messages, credit reports, mailing share loss letters, and inputting all necessary information on the monthly bankruptcy final report.
• Prepare and file bank supplements for Chapter 13 mortgages.
• Foreclosures:
• Prepare the foreclosure legal files, legal documents for recording and sales contract. Review loan file, schedule foreclosure dates and order updated title searches in preparation for foreclosures. Run notice in paper. Send all required notices.
• Process the sale of the foreclosure property including working with Realtor, negotiating purchase price, preparing closing documents, reviewing HUD, working with closing agent, requesting documentation, scheduling closing, posting sale proceeds, cancelling insurance, turning off utilities, completing sold reports, and completing additional reports.
• Process foreclosure property post sale, including journal entries, going to property to complete condition report and ensuring property is secured, obtaining insurance, paying delinquent taxes at the time of the sale, securing locks, coordinating cleanup, lawn care and repairs if needed, ordering appraisal, setting up utilities, and paying expenses.
• Maintain foreclosure spreadsheets for board meeting.
• Prepare quarterly call report for VP of Accounting.
• Make and respond to phone calls regarding foreclosures (potential buyers, utility company repairmen, Realtors.)
• File necessary insurance claims as needed for damage to the foreclosures.
• With Corporate Counsel, prepare eviction process if necessary.
• Deceased Accounts:
• Research estate claims
• File and respond to estate claims.
• Respond to employee and member inquires.
• Assist Ascend’s outside counsel in obtaining necessary information to defend and prosecute Ascend’s legal rights.
• Maintain and update internal policies and manuals.
• Collect and analyze data on legal services performed, collections efforts by credit union, loan delinquencies and collection effort results for use by Chief Legal Officer and SVP of Lending.
• Serve as project leader on new initiatives in the Legal Department, including rewriting procedure manuals for the legal department, updating policies with assistance from Chief Legal Officer.
• Coordinate safety deposit program with front office employees, coordinate drilling of safe deposit boxes, when appropriate, and keep track of unclaimed contents up and to disposal of contents.
• Read all internal publications including HUB and Possibilities.
• Perform other duties as required or assigned.

Education

• Four years college, paralegal certificate or equivalent experience

Work Experience

• 3-5 years of similar or related experience is required

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Must possess a high degree of professionalism to represent the credit union positively in outside contacts.
• Ability to work with minimum supervision.
• Possession of a valid, unrestricted driver’s license.
• Working knowledge of computer programs including Word Perfect, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Outlook, Access, PC Anywhere, Reachout, Quattro, Excel and internet.
• Ability to operate or have ability to be trained to operate related office equipment, including typewriter, personal computer, multifunction copier, calculator, and telephone.
• Regular and reliable attendance is required.

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Ascend Federal Credit Union is an Equal Opportunity Employer.