Head of Legal

Our client a leading private credit and equipment finance firm that designs and delivers innovative capital solutions for mid-sized and large organizations, is looking for a Head of Legal. With billions in funded transactions across equipment, technology, and complex project financing, they are trusted for their independent capital strength, speed of execution, and advisory-driven approach that helps clients move beyond the limits of traditional lending.

The Head of Legal l will lead legal strategy and execution. This role is both hands-on and strategic, drafting and negotiating complex agreements while also shaping legal frameworks, risk policies, and compliance practices that scale with our growth. The Head of Legal will be the senior legal advisor to leadership, partnering across Sales, Credit, Syndication, Accounting, and Operations, while directly managing and mentoring the VP of Lease Administration and the broader Documentation team.

• Serve as primary legal advisor to the executive team on structuring, documenting, and executing complex equipment finance and project funding transactions.
• Provide leadership and oversight of the Documentation team, including the VP of Lease Administration, ensuring best-in-class standards, efficient workflow, and team development.
• Advise executive leadership on broader corporate legal matters, including governance, employment, and regulatory issues, as needed.
• Coordinate with outside counsel to oversee labor & employment, litigation, IP, and other specialty areas as needed to ensure comprehensive coverage across the business without requiring deep prior expertise in these areas.

• Draft, review, and negotiate equipment lease and loan agreements, assignments, vendor contracts, NDAs, and other key legal documents.
• Negotiate directly with debt sources under master and individual lease assignment agreements to protect client interests while advancing transactions to close.
• Lead documentation negotiations with customers, vendors, and outside counsel to reach commercially sound agreements while safeguarding the company’s position.
• Ensure lien perfection, assignment standards, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

• Manage the documentation workflow end-to-end, including preparation, review, and approval of packages for booking and funding.
• Oversee funding and disbursement QA to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with approvals, tax requirements, and lien/title perfection.
• Implement and maintain effective processes for clearing follow-up items and documentation exceptions, ensuring all files remain complete, accurate, and audit-ready.
• Develop and maintain legal policies, SOPs, and templates that ensure compliance across functions and provide clarity to all internal stakeholders.
• Advise on risk-based pricing, credit windows, and creative structures—balancing legal protections with commercial goals.
• Monitor regulatory developments affecting equipment finance and proactively recommend adjustments.

• Engage and manage outside legal counsel as necessary, controlling scope and optimizing fees for specialized matters.
• Manage legal vendors (UCC filings, titling, credit bureaus, compliance resources) to ensure cost-effective, accurate service.
• Collaborate with the COO to streamline contract workflows, approval processes, and reporting through Lease Plus, Salesforce, and other systems.
• Create, maintain, and publish reports for senior management on legal, documentation, and funding activities.
• Support audits, diligence requests, and other reporting requirements with timely, accurate legal documentation.

• JD from an accredited law school and admission to practice in at least one U.S. jurisdiction (California preferred).
• A minimum of 5+ years of experience in contracts, equipment finance, commercial finance, or a related legal field, with a focus on structuring, drafting, and negotiating transactions.
• A collaborative mindset and ability to partner with business leaders at all levels—balancing commercial judgment with practical…