VP, In-House Counsel

Description

OVERVIEW

We are seeking a highly motivated and business-minded attorney to join our legal department as VP Litigation Counsel. This role offers a unique opportunity to assume primary responsibility for managing the Bank's portfolio of credit litigation, foreclosure, bankruptcy, and related collection matters while serving as a trusted legal advisor to business and operational stakeholders.

This position is ideal for an attorney seeking meaningful responsibility, direct interaction with executive leadership, and the opportunity to broaden their experience across a variety of banking, lending, and regulatory matters. You will join a collaborative, high-performing legal team where your contributions will have a direct impact on the organization.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES include the following.

• Manage and oversee the Bank's portfolio of commercial and consumer litigation matters, including foreclosure, bankruptcy, collections, and related proceedings.
• Direct and supervise outside counsel, including budget management, strategy development, and litigation oversight.
• Evaluate legal risks, recommend litigation strategies, and advise internal stakeholders regarding disputed matters.
• Partner with lending, credit, special assets, and servicing teams to resolve problem loans and maximize recoveries.
• Review pleadings, motions, settlement agreements, and litigation-related correspondence.
• Provide legal guidance regarding foreclosure procedures, creditor rights, workouts, loan enforcement, and bankruptcy matters.
• Assist with responses to subpoenas, discovery requests, and governmental inquiries.
• Monitor legal developments impacting lending, collections, foreclosure practices, and creditor remedies.
• Support enterprise risk management initiatives and legal compliance efforts.
• Other job duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This job does not have managerial responsibilities.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Active license to practice law in any U.S. jurisdiction.
• Connecticut bar admission or eligibility for admission in Connecticut preferred.
• 3-5 years of relevant legal experience, preferably with a law firm, financial institution, mortgage servicer, or creditor's rights practice.
• Experience handling or managing foreclosure, bankruptcy, creditors' rights, collections, or commercial litigation matters.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
• Ability to independently manage a significant portfolio of matters while balancing competing priorities.
• Sound judgment and a practical, business-oriented approach to legal issues.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

• Clear and effective communicator
• Collaborative team player
• Detail-driven with a high level of accuracy

PREFERRED / PLUS QUALIFIACATIONS

• Experience supporting financial institutions, payment companies, FinTech organizations, or consumer financial services businesses.
• Familiarity with credit card, prepaid card, debit card, ACH, RTP, or other payment systems.
• Working knowledge of applicable laws and regulations, including some combination of:
• Truth in Lending Act (TILA) and Regulation Z
• Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA) and Regulation E
• UDAAP requirements
• Bank Secrecy Act / Anti-Money Laundering (BSA/AML)
• CARD Act
• CFPB guidance and regulations
• Network rules (Visa, Mastercard, etc.)
• State money transmission and consumer protection laws
• Experience reviewing technology, SaaS, data-sharing, or vendor agreements

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable Individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Travel: Travel to client offices, prospects, branches, and industry events as necessary.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Patriot Bank is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other protected status under federal, state, or local law.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbents may be asked to perform other duties as required.