NOTE: This position is located in downtown Salt Lake City, UT. Candidates must be able to reliably commute to or relocate to this area without the assistance of the Employer. Thank you.
Continental Bank is a dynamic commercial lending bank specializing in equipment financing, small business loans, and strategic partnering within FinTech industry. Our team is committed to providing accessible lending solutions to businesses across the United States. We are seeking a Chief Legal Counsel to oversee all legal functions and provide strategic guidance on collections and creditor matters, compliance, and corporate legal responsibilities.
Position Overview
As Chief Legal Counsel, you will be a key member of the executive team, responsible for managing and directing the company's legal functions, with a strong focus on collections, creditor relations, and corporate governance. This role requires expertise in corporate law, litigation, risk mitigation, and creditor and collections management to support the company's business objectives and ensure regulatory compliance.
Essential Functions
Legal Strategy & Compliance
- Provide strategic legal advice to senior management, board members, and business units to achieve business goals.
- Develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, especially those related to lending and collections.
Collections and Creditor Relations
- Oversee the bank's collections strategy, ensuring legally sound recovery efforts and maximizing the recovery of funds and collateral securing loans.
- Provide guidance on managing credit risk, including drafting, reviewing, and enforcing financing documents.
- Represent the bank in negotiations and disputes related to collections and creditor matters, including foreclosure and repossession of equipment.
- Overseeing outside counsel retained for collections and litigation in local jurisdictions.
Contract Management
- Draft, review, and negotiate various legal documents, including contracts, loan agreements, lease agreements, and other binding documents with clients, vendors, and third parties.
- Ensure all contracts align with company objectives, regulatory requirements, and risk management policies.
Corporate Governance & Litigation Management
- Provide legal guidance on corporate governance matters, ensuring adherence to corporate bylaws and governance best practices.
- Manage litigation and dispute resolution, either directly or by overseeing outside counsel, and represent the company in legal proceedings as needed.
Risk Management
- Identify potential legal risks and develop strategies to mitigate risks, working closely with the finance and operations departments and with the compliance officer.
- Oversee risk assessments related to loan issuance, default, and repossession processes, ensuring compliance with legal standards.
Team Leadership
- Lead and develop the legal team, fostering a proactive approach to identifying and managing legal risks.
- Collaborate with other departments to align legal strategies with the company's overall goals and mission.
Qualifications
- Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school; active bar membership.
- 10+ years of experience in banking and/or corporate law, with a focus on creditor rights, collections, litigation and financial services.
- Proven experience in a senior legal role, ideally within the banking or financial services sector.
- Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local laws related to lending, collections, and regulatory compliance.
- Excellent negotiation, problem-solving, and leadership skills.
- Ability to communicate complex legal concepts effectively to non-legal stakeholders.
Preferred Skills
- Experience in the equipment finance or commercial lending industry.
- Familiarity with repossession laws, bankruptcy, and foreclosure proceedings.
- Strong leadership skills with a track record of managing a legal team.
This position is located in downtown Salt Lake City, UT. Candidates must be able to reliably commute to or relocate to this area without the assistance of the Employer. Thank you.
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