Jim Howicz Email & Phone Number

Austin, Texas, United States

Focusing on general corporate matters, negotiating commercial transactions, drafting contracts, financial services, and employment issues. Representing small and mid-sized businesses as an outside general counsel. Handles a wide variety of matters for banks and lenders with a focus on credit and collections. Helps clients with various issues before state and federal regulators. Began serving as the firm's Managing Partner in January 2022.

Wilmington, Delaware

Chief legal counsel for all corporate matters for startup personal loan company. Chief compliance officer. Responsible for legal, compliance, licensing, corporate and administration. Advise corporate executives on all aspects of business. Selected Contributions:Launched closed end loan product for start-up personal loan company. Implemented the disclosure and compliance programs. Lead legal team effort to implement flexible funding scheme for sales of loans to investors… Show more Chief legal counsel for all corporate matters for startup personal loan company. Chief compliance officer. Responsible for legal, compliance, licensing, corporate and administration. Advise corporate executives on all aspects of business. Selected Contributions:Launched closed end loan product for start-up personal loan company. Implemented the disclosure and compliance programs. Lead legal team effort to implement flexible funding scheme for sales of loans to investors that could be leveraged or securitized. Facilitated over $500M in funded loans within its first year. Show less

Austin, Texas Area

Chief legal and compliance counsel for consumer credit technology provider. Responsible for legal, compliance, human resources, intellectual property and administration. Negotiated complex sales agreements. Advise corporate executives on all aspects of business. Selected Contributions:Launched and maintained retail credit aggregation platform. Instrumental in platform design. Implemented standardized recruiting, interview, and onboarding programs. Negotiated employee… Show more Chief legal and compliance counsel for consumer credit technology provider. Responsible for legal, compliance, human resources, intellectual property and administration. Negotiated complex sales agreements. Advise corporate executives on all aspects of business. Selected Contributions:Launched and maintained retail credit aggregation platform. Instrumental in platform design. Implemented standardized recruiting, interview, and onboarding programs. Negotiated employee benefits agreements. Show less

Austin, Texas Area

Leader of Global Financial Services Legal Team. Provide practical legal and strategic advice to Global Payment Solutions, Dell Financial Services, Global Financial Services, Treasury and Corporate Finance Teams. Collaborate with regional attorneys on financial services matters and litigation globally. Lead attorney for financial services regulatory matters, and payment solution vendor negotiations. Mediate high profile legal and business disputes, and resolve high-risk customer complaints.… Show more Leader of Global Financial Services Legal Team. Provide practical legal and strategic advice to Global Payment Solutions, Dell Financial Services, Global Financial Services, Treasury and Corporate Finance Teams. Collaborate with regional attorneys on financial services matters and litigation globally. Lead attorney for financial services regulatory matters, and payment solution vendor negotiations. Mediate high profile legal and business disputes, and resolve high-risk customer complaints. Recruit, supervise and manage attorneys supporting multiple fraud, customer care, cash services, risk management, financing sales and marketing, financial services IT and operations teams. Oversee regulatory and SOX compliance programs. Selected Contributions:Facilitated flagship consumer credit product launch.Leg legal initiative to expand through acquisitions into Canada and EuropeSettled major multistate Attorney General litigation.Settled major government investigation without publicity or monetary penalty.Negotiated major collections outsource agreement projected to save $200 in opex.Finalized two major securitizations transactions.Led legal initiative to comply with the Credit CARD Act of 2009 and Dodd Frank Act.Moved consumer credit program from CIT Bank to WebBank. Resolved major funding shortage in Brazil with creative solution.Launched consumer financing solution in the United Kingdom. Created consumer account agreements. Established consumer privacy compliance program.Structured key compliance and transactional polices. Earned Cross-Functional Contributor Award twice.Earned 2009 Dell Legal Excellence Award. Show less

Des Moines, Iowa Area

750 branches in 48 states. Assistant General CounselProvided tactical-level legal oversight for state and national operations, including administration, new product development, marketing, operations, customer service, collections, compliance and regulation. Oversaw legal operational issues for credit card and private label retail credit banks. Advised branch management on practical legal and business issues. Granted branch policy exceptions. Drafted and revised mortgage… Show more 750 branches in 48 states. Assistant General CounselProvided tactical-level legal oversight for state and national operations, including administration, new product development, marketing, operations, customer service, collections, compliance and regulation. Oversaw legal operational issues for credit card and private label retail credit banks. Advised branch management on practical legal and business issues. Granted branch policy exceptions. Drafted and revised mortgage, finance, insurance, and telemarketing contracts. Reviewed and approved marketing campaigns and materials. Forged profitable partnership marketing arrangements. Fostered trust-based relationships with government auditors and regulators. Show less

Greater Chicago Area

DISCOVER CARD; Oversaw corporate, banking, credit, contract, e-commerce, and trademark law. Supported all aspects of business operations. Collaborated on new marketing initiatives. Approved advertisements and marketing materials. Reviewed telemarketing scripts. Formulated contracts for marketing promotions, including sweepstakes. Drafted software licensing and service contracts. Structured credit and account agreements, consumer disclosures, and diverse legal contracts. Maintained… Show more DISCOVER CARD; Oversaw corporate, banking, credit, contract, e-commerce, and trademark law. Supported all aspects of business operations. Collaborated on new marketing initiatives. Approved advertisements and marketing materials. Reviewed telemarketing scripts. Formulated contracts for marketing promotions, including sweepstakes. Drafted software licensing and service contracts. Structured credit and account agreements, consumer disclosures, and diverse legal contracts. Maintained consumer privacy policies. Show less

Lake Forest, Il

Delivered branch-level compliance and operational legal support.

Riverwoods, Il

Hired, trained, and managed cross-functional team including seven attorneys, editors, and production staff. Served as managing editor of numerous legal, business, tax, and financial services guidebooks.

Chicago, Il

Represented clients before INS and Immigration Court in matters relating to immigration and nationality law. Drafted business visa and consular documents.

Greater Chicago Area

Served as Law Clerk for five U.S. Immigration Judges, selected through the Justice Department's Honor Graduate Program.

Jd, Law

Cum Laude

Ab, Geography