Assistant General Counsel

Assistant General Counsel

This role is located in New York City and will require a hybrid work schedule of at least two days in office per week. This role is open to Assistant Vice President and Vice President level candidates depending on experience.

About the Bank

Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, Limited was established through the merger of The Sumitomo Trust and Banking Co., Ltd with Chuo Mitsui Trust and Banking, Ltd. on April 1, 2012. We are one of the largest asset managers in Asia and number one among Japanese financial institutions by AUM, with approximately $850 Billion USD in AUM. The Bank provides an assortment of financial solutions and manages a broad spectrum of financial products across its global branches.

Department Overview:

The Americas Division ("AD") was established in the Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, Limited, New York Branch) ("SMTBNY") to perform corporate functions and supervise U.S. entities. Established under the AD are the "Global Banking Unit ("GBU"), Americas Division" and "Global Markets Unit ("GMU"), Americas Division" which performs business functions. The Legal Department ("LGL") provides support to all departments of the New York Branch for legal consultation and advice in order to reduce legal and regulatory risk and to reduce the overall legal costs of Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, Limited ("SMTB").

Your Role Overview:

The Assistant General Counsel is actively involved in reviewing, drafting, and negotiating legal documentation relating to the daily, on-going, activities of the Bank. Responsible for assisting the General Counsel and the other attorneys in the Legal Department in handling the overall activities of the Legal Department, including supervising support staff. May have direct report subordinate staff.

Your Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Be available to all departments of the New York Branch of SMTB, SMTBUSA, relevant Tokyo head office departments, other domestic and international offices of SMTB, and its affiliates, for legal consultation and advice, and respond to inquiries in a timely manner.
2. Assists in the coordination of the development of new products and improvements of existing services with SMTB business departments.
3. Represents SMTB in all matters whether or not outside counsel is retained.
4. Attempts to reduce overall legal costs of SMTB by assuming legal work that might otherwise be performed by outside counsel but can be performed internally without incurring material risk to SMTB.
5. Keeps apprised of statutes, regulations, case law and other legal developments, as well as proposed changes therein, relevant to SMTB.
6. Monitors compliance by SMTB with applicable law; in this regard, keeps apprised of SMTB's current and contemplated activities.
7. Conducts periodic seminars involving topical issues relevant to SMTB and its business activities.
8. Communicates to all departments of SMTB the role and availability of the legal department.
9. Develops and updates handbooks and policies on pertinent issues.
10. Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned by management.
11. Be physically present at SMTBUSA (Hoboken) approximately two times or more per month as part of the legal department's support of SMTB's U.S. subsidiary.
12. Work closely with outside counsel where outside counsel is retained, including attending all meetings, conference calls and attending to structuring issues.
13. Perform substantially all of the functions listed above for Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Asset Management (SMTAMA).

BSA/AML Related Responsibilities:

1. Responsible for and reviews Customer Profile/Regulatory Compliance Checklists (Lending Group): required for each new customer.
2. Reviews Account Opening Application Forms (NY Unit): required for each new customer.
3. Reviews BSA Risk Matrices: required for each new customer.
4. Maintains the Branch's customer identification program with risk-based procedures that enable the Branch to form a reasonable belief that it knows the true identity of its customers.
5. Being fully knowledgeable of the Bank Secrecy Act and all related regulations.
6. Understanding the Branch's products, services, customers and geographic locations.
7. Having the expertise, authority and time to satisfactorily complete her BSA/AML related responsibilities.
8. Ensuring that employees adhere to the Branch's BSA/AML policies, procedures and processes.
9. Assisting the General Counsel and Assistant General Counsels in maintaining relevant Branch Policies relating to BSA/AML compliance.

Your Qualifications:

1. Law (J.D.) degree. Membership in the New York State Bar.
2. 6 years of experience, preferably in a law firm or comparable in-house experience.
3. Experience as a transactional attorney required. Bank regulatory experience preferred.
4. Ability to review, draft, and negotiate complex legal documents.

Why you should join SuMi Trust:

SuMi Trust embraces flexible ways of working when the business and role permits. We provide employees with a hybrid working model, allowing for in-office work and work from home. Our diverse and inclusive environment along with our global presence enables us to collaborate and communicate to meet our business needs. We believe that efficient teams need truth, loyalty, and a strong sense of purpose to balance risk and their targets. We make sustainable business decisions to improve our society and the world. We believe that each person brings a unique value that drives the business though their creativity and passion.

• The Employee Benefits package includes: Paid Time Off, medical, HSA, vision, dental, FSA, 401(k), profit sharing, legal plan, cancer indemnity plan, disability insurance, life insurance, employee assistance program, commuter benefits, business travel accident, paid volunteer day, paid memberships, paid seminars, and tuition assistance.
• We offer many socialization opportunities for wellness, financial wellbeing, runs/walks, team building, happy hours, and activities to support the Sustainable Developmental Goals.