Associate General Counsel

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FT Associate General Counsel, Fiduciary Services - Houston

Full Time Trust RIVER OAKS, Houston, TX, US

3 days ago Requisition ID: 11059

POSITION PURPOSE

The Associate General Counsel, Fiduciary Services position serves as the principal legal advisor to the Bank's Trust Department, providing strategic legal guidance on fiduciary matters, personal and institutional trust and estate administration, wealth management services, custody relationships, and related banking activities. This role partners closely with trust officers, wealth advisors, risk management, compliance, operations, and executive leadership to identify, assess, and mitigate legal risks while supporting business growth and client service objectives.

The Associate General Counsel, Fiduciary Services advises on the interpretation and application of federal and state banking laws, fiduciary regulations, trust administration requirements, and wealth management industry standards. The position also manages litigation, regulatory inquiries, contractual matters, and complex fiduciary issues affecting the trust business.

This position will report directly to the President of Wealth Management and maintain a dotted-line reporting relationship with General Counsel.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND BASIC DUTIES

Legal Advisory and Fiduciary Counsel

• Provide legal advice regarding personal trust administration, estate settlement, guardianships, agency accounts, charitable trusts, special needs trusts, ERISA qualified plans, individual retirement accounts (IRA), escrows, and 1031 exchanges.
• Interpret trust agreements, wills, court orders, beneficiary agreements, and related fiduciary documents.
• Review new relationship opportunities and advise on legal and risk aspects for new business acceptance.
• Draft documents necessary to protect the bank at the acceptance and termination of relationships, including but not limited to releases, family settlement agreements, and non-disclosure agreements.
• Advise trust officers and management on fiduciary duties, prudent investor standards, conflict-of-interest matters, and risk management considerations.
• Provide legal advice regarding matters involving specialty asset management such as mineral, oil & gas interests, residential, farm and ranch, and commercial real estate, closely held entities such as partnership, LLCs, and corporations
• Review and analyze legal issues arising from account administration, beneficiary disputes, trustee succession, and discretionary distribution decisions.
• Support the development of fiduciary policies, procedures, and governance frameworks.

Regulatory and Compliance Support

• Advise on applicable banking, fiduciary, securities, privacy, and consumer protection regulations.
• Monitor legal and regulatory developments affecting trust and wealth management businesses.
• Partner with Compliance and Risk Management department to ensure ongoing regulatory adherence.
• Assist with regulatory examinations, audits, supervisory inquiries, and remediation efforts.

Litigation and Dispute Management

• Manage fiduciary litigation, trust contests, beneficiary disputes, subpoena responses, and other legal proceedings.
• Coordinate with outside counsel and Bank General Counsel on litigation strategy and case management.
• Assess legal exposure and recommend risk mitigation strategies.

Governance and Risk Management

• Identify emerging legal and fiduciary risks and provide practical business-focused solutions.
• Prepare and present legal updates to fiduciary committees, executive leadership, and boards as needed.
• Support fiduciary committee governance and documentation requirements.
• Review exceptions, policy waivers, and high-risk fiduciary matters.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work only. They are not an exhaustive list of all required responsibilities, duties, and skills. Other duties may be added, or this job description amended at any time.

KEY INTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS :

• Trust Officers
• Wealth Advisors
• Risk Management
• Compliance
• Operations
• Investment Management
• Executive Leadership
• Internal Audit

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

This role has no supervisory responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION: Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school. Active license and in good standing with a state bar association. Certification in Estate Planning and Probate, State Board of Legal Specialization. Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor (CTFA) designation. LL.M. in Taxation or Estate Planning.

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Minimum of 10-15 years of legal experience, preferably with a financial institution, trust company, regulatory agency, or law firm serving fiduciary clients.

Significant experience in Trust and Estate law, fiduciary administration, banking law.

Demonstrated experience advising senior management and business leaders.

Experience managing litigation and regulatory matters preferred.

Experience supporting private banking, wealth management, or institutional trust services.

Experience with national bank fiduciary powers and multi-state trust administration.

KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED: Extensive knowledge of trust law (Texas and Oklahoma), ERISA, estate planning, fiduciary administration. Department of Labor regulations, IRS regulations, and banking regulations.

Strong understanding of fiduciary risk management principles and governance practices.

Familiarity with OCC, FDIC, Federal Reserve, state banking regulations, and fiduciary examination processes.

SKILLS/ABILITIES: Excellent analytical, negotiation, drafting, and problem-solving skills.

Ability to translate complex legal requirements into practical business solutions.

Strong communication and presentation skills.

Capacity to manage multiple priorities in a highly regulated environment.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES AND REQUIREMENTS OF THIS POSITION

Talking: Especially where one must frequently convey detailed or important instructions or ideas accurately, loudly, or quickly.

Average Hearing: Able to hear average or normal conversations and receive ordinary information.

Repetitive Motion: Movements frequently and regularly required using the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.

Average Visual Abilities: Average, ordinary, visual acuity necessary to prepare or inspect documents or products, or operate machinery.

Physical Strength: Sedentary work; sitting most of the time. Exerts up to 10 lbs. of force occasionally. (Almost all office jobs.)

WORKING CONDITIONS

None: No hazardous or significantly unpleasant conditions (such as in a typical office).

MENTAL ACTIVITIES AND REQUIREMENTS OF THIS POSITION

Reasoning Ability: Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved instructions and to deal with problems involving a few variables.

Mathematics Ability: Ability to perform basic math skills, use decimals to compute ratios and percentages, and to draw and interpret graphs.

Language Ability: Ability to use passive vocabulary of 5,000-6,000 words; read at a slow rate; and define unfamiliar words in dictionaries for meaning, spelling, and pronunciation.

Ability to write complex sentences, using proper punctuation, and using adjectives and adverbs.

Ability to communicate in complex sentences, using normal word order with present and past tenses and good vocabulary.

Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.

40 hours per week.