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Ziebell enjoys the bright side of mortgages

By: Jane Pribek//September 26, 2013//

Ziebell enjoys the bright side of mortgages

By: Jane Pribek//September 26, 2013//

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Stephanie   Ziebell - Waterstone Mortgage Corp. (WLJ Photo by Kevin Harnack)
Stephanie   Ziebell – Waterstone Mortgage Corp. (WLJ Photo by Kevin Harnack)

Waterstone Mortgage Corp. turns 13 this year, and like most early teenagers, it’s hitting a growth spurt.

That’s what makes Stephanie Ziebell’s work as assistant general counsel there so exciting, she said.

The company lends in 26 states and has branches in 11 states, but lately there’s been a push to expand its geographic reach. As part of her role, Ziebell researches the licensure requirements and other compliance issues for proposed new states, and then completes the license application.

“Our company keeps expanding, and I feel like every day, we’re all learning something new,” she said, “and we’re all working together to learn it.”

The job was a 180 of sorts for Ziebell. After her 2010 graduation from University of Toledo College of Law, she worked for JP Morgan Chase as a foreclosure specialist while studying for the bar exam.

“It was only going to be temporary but I ended up really enjoying it,” she said, noting that initially she thought she’d be a prosecutor.

She joined Waterstone in October 2012, and said she prefers her current role, going from foreclosure to loan origination.

“[It’s] the sunnier side of the spectrum,” she said, “helping people find a home rather than lose it.”

What is the best part of your job?

I enjoy working for a company that does value compliance and its customers. It makes it a lot easier to go to work every day, knowing you’re doing the right thing. I also love the people I work with.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

In everyday conversation, I tend to say, ‘That’s funny’ a lot. In my legal writing, I have a tendency to use ‘thereof’ or ‘herein.’ It’s legalese, and I get into trouble writing memos for the company with them. (Laughs).

What is the hardest part of your job?

Sometimes, also the people, because they don’t always understand the reasoning behind some of our advice and decisions. Sometimes you have to be able to speak not like a lawyer, so that they understand. I’m learning everyday how to look at things from a business perspective, and how to convey advice while keeping in mind the business side of things.

How would your mother describe you in one word?

Meticulous. It’s a trait I got from my dad. I’m very clean and organized, so she’ll come over to my house and purposely move a coaster to see if I notice, and I always do.

If you hadn’t become a lawyer, what would you have done?

I have a lot of random hobbies. I really like travel, so possibly owning a travel agency. And I also enjoy dance, so maybe owning a dance studio.

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