Commercial Lending Attorney (SVP)

Climate First Bank

19h•Remote

About The Position

We are seeking a Commercial Lending Attorney (SVP) to serve as an in-house attorney providing broad legal support to an aggressively growing $2 Billion bank. This role focuses on commercial, C&I, consumer, real estate, and SBA litigation and transactions, as well as corporate governance matters. You will partner closely with the business and executive teams to mitigate risk, ensure compliance with applicable laws, and support strategic initiatives with sound legal advice. The role is also responsible for litigating in the state of Florida and overseeing other multi-state litigations. The candidate must reside in Florida with an Active Florida Bar License.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
Active membership in the Florida Bar.
5+ years of relevant legal practice (combined law firm and/or in-house).
Substantial experience in commercial lending litigation (handling or supervising business disputes).
Exposure to real estate lending transactions.
Demonstrated knowledge of corporate law and governance principles.
Strong legal drafting, negotiation, litigation, and collection skills.
Familiarity with contract law, regulatory compliance, and risk assessment.
Able to interpret complex statutes and regulations affecting the Company’s operations.
High ethical integrity and judgment.
Licensed to practice law in good standing with no disciplinary history.
Takes ownership of work and operates with a strong sense of accountability, delivering high-quality, business-focused legal outcomes.
Proactive problem solver who anticipates risks before they arise and approaches challenges with a strategic, solutions-oriented mindset.
Comfortable making sound decisions in complex or ambiguous situations while balancing legal risk with business objectives.
Manages multiple priorities with precision and discipline, staying organized and focused in a dynamic legal and business environment.
Effectively tracks litigation, transactions, and deadlines without losing sight of key details.
Communicates with clarity, confidence, and professionalism across all levels of the organization.
Ability to translate complex legal concepts into practical, easy-to-understand guidance for non-legal stakeholders.
Strong listener who builds trust quickly and influences decision-making through sound judgment, credibility, and thoughtful communication.
Excels in negotiations, dispute resolution, and advising senior leadership.
Strong knowledge of commercial lending, litigation, and financial services law, including regulatory frameworks affecting banks and lending institutions.
Understands loan structures, credit risk, and real estate transactions, and can confidently interpret legal and financial documents.
Business acumen allows for legal guidance that supports both compliance and profitability in a regulated environment.
Approaches legal work with a sharp analytical mindset, assessing risk from both a legal and business perspective.
Identifies potential issues early, evaluates options thoroughly, and provides clear, well-reasoned recommendations.
Comfortable working with complex information and uses sound judgment to guide litigation strategy, transactional decisions, and risk mitigation efforts.
Leverages technology to enhance productivity, improve legal processes, and create efficiencies across work.
Quickly adapts to new tools and systems, including document management, e-discovery platforms, contract lifecycle tools, and legal research databases.
Embraces innovation and continuously seeks ways to streamline workflows and improve outcomes.
Operates as a true business partner, building strong relationships across departments and working collaboratively to achieve shared goals.
Brings a positive, solutions-oriented mindset and contributes meaningfully to team success.
Dependable, approachable, and willing to step in where needed, always focused on supporting the broader organization while delivering excellent legal guidance.
Must reside in Florida.

Nice To Haves

Additional U.S. state bar admissions a plus.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic legal counsel, advising executive leadership and business units on a wide range of legal matters, delivering practical, business-oriented guidance.
Translate complex laws and regulations into clear recommendations that support decision-making and organizational growth.
Partner on strategic initiatives, new products, and operational changes to ensure legal soundness and regulatory alignment.
Lead collections and enforcement efforts, managing collection litigation from initial strategy through judgment execution, ensuring efficient and effective recoveries.
Evaluate enforcement options and collaborate with credit and risk teams to optimize outcomes.
Drive consistency and discipline in collections processes while minimizing legal exposure.
Oversee commercial litigation and dispute resolution, serving as lead litigation counsel in Florida, handling pleadings, discovery, motions, and court appearances.
Direct multi-state litigation by managing outside counsel, budgets, and case strategy.
Represent the Bank in negotiations, mediations, and settlements while proactively identifying and mitigating dispute risks.
Support real estate and C&I transactions by drafting, reviewing, and negotiating commercial loan and real estate financing documents.
Conduct legal due diligence and identify risks related to collateral, title, and transaction structure.
Work closely with lenders and business stakeholders to ensure transactions are compliant and aligned with business objectives.
Draft and negotiate a variety of agreements, including vendor, partnership, and confidentiality agreements.
Ensure contracts appropriately mitigate risk and comply with legal and regulatory standards.
Support improved contract processes, consistency, and risk awareness across the organization.
Proactively identify and mitigate legal risk by advising on potential disputes, regulatory developments, and operational risks before they escalate.
Partner with compliance and risk functions to strengthen policies, controls, and governance practices.
Provide balanced recommendations that align risk management with business priorities.
Collaborate cross-functionally with teams across lending, operations, compliance, and leadership to address legal issues early.
Contribute to business initiatives by offering solutions that balance legal considerations with practical outcomes.
Build strong relationships and serve as a trusted legal partner throughout the organization.
Support governance, compliance, and legal awareness by assisting in maintaining sound corporate governance and adherence to applicable regulations.
Contribute to policy development and updates to reflect evolving legal requirements.
Provide training and guidance to employees to strengthen understanding of legal risk and compliance expectations.
Adopt a commitment to environmental, social, economic, and racial justice.
Stay informed of applicable regulatory requirements and complete all mandatory compliance and IT training.
Pursue and demonstrate an understanding of established Bank policies, procedures, and regulations.
Question suspicious activity and collaborate closely with the respective department(s) to help prevent fraudulent activity.

Benefits

Annual bonus, incentives and equity may be available.
100% employer-paid health coverage for employees.
Employer contribution for dependents.
Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance.
Health Savings Account (HSA).
Free Telemedicine access via Teladoc.
401(k) with 6% Employer Match — No Vesting Period.
Employee Stock Options.
Exclusive Employee Banking Perks.
0% Financing for Employee Solar Loans.
Employee Only Mortgage Product with exclusive interest rates and terms.
0% Financing for Eligible Electric Vehicles (EVs).
Referral Incentives.
2–4 Weeks of Vacation based on officer level plus additional tenure-based time.
64 Hours of Paid Sick Time for all full-time employees.
Company-Paid Life Insurance.
Short- & Long-Term Disability Insurance.
Voluntary Life, Accident & Critical Illness Coverage.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with free counseling, legal, and financial services.