Legal Counsel Manager

This is a banking position

We are seeking a seasoned Regional Legal Counsel to provide comprehensive legal support to the Bank's Florida Region and advise Management and business, operational, and administrative teams on a broad range of banking and corporate legal matters.

This attorney will serve as a senior legal resource for the Florida Region, providing independent legal judgment on complex matters while partnering with the General Counsel and corporate legal leadership when matters require corporate-level guidance or approval.

The ideal candidate will have significant in-house financial institution experience and a strong understanding of banking law, commercial and residential lending, employment matters, regulatory requirements, litigation, subpoenas, garnishments, foreclosure, real estate, contracts, and general corporate matters.

The role will have increasing responsibility for handling legal matters in-house , reducing the Bank's reliance on outside counsel where appropriate. The position currently supports a team of two paralegals and will work closely with business leaders throughout the Florida Region as the Bank continues to expand its presence into additional Florida markets.

This is a full-time, onsite position in Waterford, Florida.

Essential Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary legal counsel for the Bank's Florida Region and provide day-to-day legal guidance to Management and business, operational, and administrative departments.
• Identify, analyze, and manage legal risks affecting the Florida Region and recommend appropriate courses of action.
• Advise department leaders on legal issues and participate in the development of policies, procedures, and business practices.
• Conduct comprehensive research and provide guidance regarding federal and Florida banking laws, regulations, statutes, administrative requirements, and case law.
• Keep Management informed of significant changes in laws and regulations affecting the Bank's operations.
• Provide legal counsel regarding employment, compensation, benefits, employee relations, training, communications, and other employment-related matters.
• Assist with internal investigations and other sensitive legal matters as requested by the General Counsel.
• Provide legal support to Credit Officers and lending teams regarding commercial and corporate financing transactions.
• Draft, review, negotiate, and interpret commercial and residential loan documents, financing agreements, amendments, and related documentation.
• Perform and oversee legal work related to residential and commercial loan closings.
• Review, draft, negotiate, and interpret contracts and agreements involving vendors, business partners, customers, and other third parties.
• Provide clear legal recommendations to Management while ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and Bank policies.
• Manage relationships with outside counsel and determine when external legal support is necessary.
• Assist with corporate transactions, major legal matters, litigation, and other matters in coordination with the General Counsel and corporate legal team.
• Assist with litigation matters affecting the Florida Region, including foreclosure-related litigation.
• Review accounts recommended for foreclosure and actively manage related legal matters.
• Negotiate agreements involving the sale and disposition of REO properties.
• Act as legal representative for the Bank in real estate transactions, regulatory and legislative hearings, and other legal proceedings as appropriate.
• Review, analyze, and respond to subpoenas, notices of levy, writs of garnishment, and other legal requirements served on the Bank by courts, government agencies, law enforcement, and other authorities.
• Provide legal support to the Bank's Subpoenas & Legal Requirements function for matters involving the Florida Region.
• Review and provide guidance regarding fraud matters, title disputes, probate claims, billing matters, and other legal issues affecting the Bank.
• Assist regulatory agencies, independent auditors, examiners, and other oversight bodies as necessary.
• Assist with the development and implementation of Legal Department policies and procedures.
• Prepare and conduct legal and regulatory training for internal business partners and employees.
• Assist with the preparation and management of the Legal Department budget.
• Represent the Bank in appropriate business, government, professional, and community activities.
• Lead and direct the work of assigned legal support staff, currently consisting of two paralegals.
• Manage multiple complex matters simultaneously while exercising sound judgment under pressure.

Job Qualifications

• 10+ years of legal experience, including significant experience representing a bank, financial institution, or other regulated financial services organization.
• Active Florida Bar admission required.
• J.D. from an accredited law school.
• Strong experience providing legal counsel on banking and financial institution matters .
• Hands-on experience with commercial and residential lending transactions and loan documentation.
• Strong knowledge of banking laws, regulatory requirements, and the legal framework governing financial institutions.
• Experience advising on employment law and employment-related legal matters.
• Experience handling subpoenas, notices of levy, writs of garnishment, fraud matters, and other legal requirements affecting financial institutions.
• Experience with foreclosure, REO, real estate, title disputes, and related banking matters.
• Experience drafting, reviewing, interpreting, and negotiating commercial contracts and agreements.
• Experience working with regulatory agencies, auditors, and bank examiners.
• Strong legal research, analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to independently assess complex legal matters and make sound decisions at the regional level.
• Ability to recognize matters requiring escalation and effectively partner with General Counsel or corporate legal leadership when necessary.
• Experience managing or directing legal support staff.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Fully bilingual in English and Spanish, including the ability to write, speak, and comprehend both languages.
• Strong general banking and business knowledge.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple priorities.
• Must be willing to work 100% onsite in Waterford, Florida.