SVP, Senior Legal Counsel - US

The Senior Counsel will report directly to the US CEO and will provide legal advice and services to management and business departments concerning commercial banking transactions, CRE loans, bank regulatory, contract and employment law matters.

Client Details

Global banking client.

Description

This is a unique opportunity for a talented individual to shape the legal strategy and function for a leading international bank. The successful candidate will work closely with senior leadership to ensure that the bank operates in full compliance with applicable laws and regulations while supporting business objectives across commercial banking, real estate, and employment law matters.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as the first legal hire for the US operations, establishing and leading the legal function for the New York branch.
• Advise and counsel senior leadership and business teams on a wide range of legal matters, including but not limited to commercial banking, real estate transactions, employment law, and regulatory compliance.
• Develop and implement strategies to ensure compliance with OCC regulations and other US banking regulatory requirements, including the Federal Reserve, FDIC, and state regulations.
• Provide legal guidance on real estate transactions, including commercial leases, acquisitions, and financing, in alignment with banking practices.
• Manage the legal aspects of employment law, advising on labor relations, employee relations, policies, and compliance with federal, state, and local labor laws.
• Oversee corporate governance, regulatory filings, and necessary reporting for the US operations.
• Represent the bank in dealings with regulatory bodies, including but not limited to the OCC, Federal Reserve, and other relevant authorities.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders to develop risk management strategies, ensure best practices, and prevent legal risks.
• Collaborate with the international legal team to ensure consistency in global operations and compliance with international regulations.
• Manage external legal resources, including outside counsel, when needed.

Profile

Required Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
• Licensed to practice law in New York.
• At least 8-10 years of legal experience in banking and financial services, with a focus on commercial banking, real estate, employment law, and regulatory matters.
• Extensive experience with OCC regulations and other banking regulatory frameworks.
• Proven experience advising on a broad range of legal matters, including corporate governance, contracts, and disputes.
• Deep knowledge of US banking laws, including Dodd-Frank, Volcker Rule, and other related regulations.
• Strong track record in real estate law, including both transactional work and risk mitigation.
• Expertise in advising on employment law matters, including employee relations, labor law, and corporate policies.
• Exceptional negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively with senior executives, business leaders, and regulatory authorities.
• Strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills, with the ability to anticipate legal risks and recommend proactive solutions.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Fluency in Arabic

Job Offer

• Competitive base salary
• Bonus
• Profit-sharing
• Additional benefits
  

Desired Skills and Experience

JD, NY State Bar, 8 years of experience with corporate/commercial banking legal matters, credit, commercial real estate, ideally gained at a top firm and in-house within banking.

MPI does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or based on an individual's status in any group or class protected by applicable federal, state or local law. MPI encourages applications from minorities, women, the disabled, protected veterans and all other qualified applicants.