Associate General Counsel - Mergers & Acquisitions

Valley Bank•Morristown, NJ

About The Position

The Associate General Counsel - Mergers & Acquisitions will lead and manage all legal aspects of various corporate transactions including mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, asset purchases, branch acquisitions, and strategic investments. This role also supports related capital markets, securities, and other corporate transactions. The position requires significant independent judgment in advising business leaders, managing cross-functional teams, overseeing legal due diligence, and identifying/advising on legal, regulatory, and contractual risks. A key responsibility includes developing and executing transaction-related regulatory approval strategies, preparing materials for executive management and the Board of Directors, and supporting transaction integration. The role also involves advising on strategic initiatives, partnerships, vendor transactions, and managing outside counsel.

Requirements

Juris Doctorate
minimum of 10 years of mergers and acquisition experience, through a combination of law firm and in-house roles
active membership in good standing with at least one state bar
Extensive experience drafting and negotiating complex transaction documents and independently managing transactions through closing and integration.
Strong project management, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with demonstrated business judgment and the ability to provide practical, solution-oriented legal advice.
Strong understanding of M&A transaction structures and negotiation strategy.
Ability to assess and communicate legal and business risks in a concise and actionable manner.
Excellent drafting, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to manage multiple complex matters simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
Collaborative approach with strong executive presence and interpersonal skills.
High degree of professionalism, integrity, discretion, and sound judgment.

Nice To Haves

Relevant experience within the banking industry.

Responsibilities

Lead and manage all legal aspects of mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, asset purchases, branch acquisitions, strategic investments, and support related capital markets, securities and other corporate transactions.
Structure, draft, negotiate, and review letters of intent, confidentiality agreements, purchase agreements, merger agreements, ancillary transaction documents, and disclosure schedules.
Exercise significant independent judgment in advising business leaders and executives, escalating matters and offering practical advice based on materiality, complexity, reputational impact, or legal risk.
Lead and coordinate cross-functional teams and oversee legal due diligence processes, including management of internal stakeholders and outside counsel.
Identify and advise on legal, regulatory, litigation, employment, operational, compliance, and contractual risks arising from potential transactions.
Develop and execute transaction-related regulatory approval strategies, including coordination of filings, applications, approvals, regulator engagement, responses to information requests, and satisfaction of approval conditions with applicable federal and state banking regulators.
Prepare concise, decision-ready materials for executive management (and as necessary the Board of Directors) regarding transaction structure, key legal and regulatory risks, approval requirements, alternatives, and recommended mitigation strategies.
Support transaction integration and post-closing activities, including implementation of legal and governance requirements.
Advise business leaders and executive management on strategic initiatives, partnerships, vendor transactions, and other significant commercial arrangements.
Select, manage, and evaluate outside counsel and other transaction advisors; establish expectations regarding scope, staffing, timelines, and budgets; ensure timely, high-quality, commercially practical legal support.
Partner with Compliance, Risk, and business units to evaluate regulatory implications of strategic transactions.
Assist with examination inquiries and regulatory requests related to corporate transactions and strategic initiatives.