Counsel - Commercial Lending

Columbia Bank • Lake Oswego, OR

6d • $135,000 - $185,000 • Onsite

About The Position

About the Role: Works with attorneys on the Legal team on legal matters and the development of policies and best practices. Provides legal counsel and guidance to officers and other employees with regard to legal matters to protect the organization's legal rights and interests Responsible for providing professional interpretations and recommendations to officers and other corporate personnel, including written memoranda and correspondence to management and other internal clients with respect to legal issues. Responsible for working with officers to negotiate, document and close commercial loans, including C&I loans, commercial real estate loans, tax exempt financing and asset-based loans. Selecting, retaining, monitoring and working with outside counsel as required. Responsible for working with Special Assets Department on workouts, restructurings, insolvency proceedings, bankruptcies, foreclosures and collection matters. Selecting, retaining, monitoring and working with outside counsel as required. Responsible for anticipating, identifying, communicating and mitigating potential legal problems within the organization and developing strategies to avoid litigation and reduce potential areas of risk. Maintain current knowledge and keep informed of industry-specific laws and regulations and ensure that appropriate risk management strategies are in place. Responsible for providing legal input in connection with developing new bank products, working with business units on loan sale and purchase transactions, and interpreting legal documents related to customer accounts. Responsible for providing professional interpretations and recommendations to officers and other corporate personnel, including written memoranda and correspondence to management and other internal clients with respect to legal issues. Demonstrates compliance with all bank regulations for assigned job function and applies to designated job responsibilities – knowledge may be gained through coursework and on-the-job training. Keeps up to date on regulation changes. Follows all Bank policies and procedures, compliance regulations, and completes all required annual or job-specific training. Maintain a working knowledge of Bank's written policies and procedures regarding Bank Secrecy Act, Regulation CC, Regulation E, Bank Security and other regulations as applicable to this job description. May be asked to coach, mentor, or train others and teach coursework as subject matter expert. Actively learns, demonstrates, and fosters the Columbia corporate culture in all actions and words. Takes personal initiative and is a positive example for others to emulate. Embraces our vision to become “Business Bank of Choice” May perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree required
• Juris Doctor (JD) required
• Pass State Bar Exam required
• 4-7 years of experience in providing legal support and advice to financial institutions either in private practice or as in-house counsel on lending, deposit operations, regulations, and litigation required
• Admitted to practice in relevant jurisdictions; member in good standing of relevant bar association.
• Knowledge of and experience with a broad expanse of corporate law, which may include, Corporate and Securities; Commercial and Real Estate Lending; Operations; Compliance; Employment; Information and Security; Treasury and Investments.
• Possess a broad understanding of financial services regulations and must comply with all applicable regulations for assigned job function and apply to designated job responsibilities.
• Demonstrate excellent analytical, organizational, communication (verbal and written), interpersonal, time management and research skills.
• Possess strong judgment, decision making, problem resolution, analytical, research, and litigation skills.
• Ability to build collegial and effective relationships with business clients, attorneys, project managers, and corporate compliance professionals.
• Ability to train others; create, develop and deliver presentations to small and large audiences.
• Occasional travel may be required

Responsibilities

• Works with attorneys on the Legal team on legal matters and the development of policies and best practices.
• Provides legal counsel and guidance to officers and other employees with regard to legal matters to protect the organization's legal rights and interests
• Responsible for providing professional interpretations and recommendations to officers and other corporate personnel, including written memoranda and correspondence to management and other internal clients with respect to legal issues.
• Responsible for working with officers to negotiate, document and close commercial loans, including C&I loans, commercial real estate loans, tax exempt financing and asset-based loans.
• Selecting, retaining, monitoring and working with outside counsel as required.
• Responsible for working with Special Assets Department on workouts, restructurings, insolvency proceedings, bankruptcies, foreclosures and collection matters.
• Responsible for anticipating, identifying, communicating and mitigating potential legal problems within the organization and developing strategies to avoid litigation and reduce potential areas of risk.
• Maintain current knowledge and keep informed of industry-specific laws and regulations and ensure that appropriate risk management strategies are in place.
• Responsible for providing legal input in connection with developing new bank products, working with business units on loan sale and purchase transactions, and interpreting legal documents related to customer accounts.
• Demonstrates compliance with all bank regulations for assigned job function and applies to designated job responsibilities – knowledge may be gained through coursework and on-the-job training.
• Keeps up to date on regulation changes.
• Follows all Bank policies and procedures, compliance regulations, and completes all required annual or job-specific training.
• Maintain a working knowledge of Bank's written policies and procedures regarding Bank Secrecy Act, Regulation CC, Regulation E, Bank Security and other regulations as applicable to this job description.
• May be asked to coach, mentor, or train others and teach coursework as subject matter expert.
• Actively learns, demonstrates, and fosters the Columbia corporate culture in all actions and words.
• Takes personal initiative and is a positive example for others to emulate.
• Embraces our vision to become “Business Bank of Choice”
• May perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• We are proud to offer a competitive total rewards package including base wages and comprehensive benefits.
• We offer eligible associates comprehensive healthcare coverage (medical, dental, and vision plans), a 401(k)-retirement savings plan with employer match for qualifying associate contributions, an employee assistance program, life insurance, disability insurance, tuition assistance, mental health resources, identity theft protection, legal support, auto and home insurance, pet insurance, access to an online discount marketplace, and paid vacation, sick days, volunteer days, and holidays.
• Benefit eligibility begins the first day of the month following the date of hire for associates who are regularly scheduled to work at least thirty hours weekly.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees