Senior Counsel, Capital Markets

Bank of Montreal•Chicago, NY

About The Position

This opportunity is ideal for a lawyer with experience in derivatives and capital markets who thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced financial services environment. As a member of BMO's Derivatives Legal Group within the Capital Markets Legal Team, you will provide strategic legal and regulatory advice on a broad range of derivatives, structured products, and trading-related matters. You will partner closely with trading, sales, risk, compliance, and operations teams to support business objectives while effectively managing legal and regulatory risk. The role offers exposure to complex transactions and regulatory developments, including margin requirements and evolving derivatives frameworks, and requires extensive experience drafting and negotiating key market documentation such as ISDA Master Agreements, CSAs, Control Agreements, Risk Participation Agreements, and related trading documentation. This is an excellent opportunity for a commercially minded legal professional who combines strong technical expertise, sound judgment, and exceptional negotiation skills with the ability to deliver practical, business-focused solutions in support of BMO's global capital markets franchise. Makes recommendations to senior leaders on strategy and new initiatives, based on an in-depth understanding of the business/group. May participate in the design of legal advice strategies & approaches for the unit activity and making recommendations to minimize legal issues. Acts as the prime subject matter expert for internal/external stakeholders. Exercises judgement on complex, confidential and sensitive matters Identifies and resolves moderately complex issues. Determines root causes and negotiates resolutions. Delivers legal advice, instructs external counsel and ensures compliance with internal policies & procedures for a single or small number of function(s). Acts as a subject matter expert on relevant laws, regulations and policies. Resolves daily issues and/or escalates with appropriate analysis and/or recommendations. Identifies risks and implements appropriate actions to mitigate them. Implements areas of improvement to ensure consistency with market place. Builds effective relationships with internal/ external stakeholders. Geographic scope: up to global. Operates at a group/enterprise-wide level and serves as a specialist resource to senior leaders and stakeholders. Applies expertise and thinks creatively to address unique or ambiguous situations and to find solutions to problems that can be complex and non-routine. Implements changes in response to shifting trends. Broader work or accountabilities may be assigned as needed.

Requirements

Typically 7+ years of legal practice or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Degree in law (LLB or JD) and license to practice law in relevant jurisdiction.
Private practice, in-house experience or experience at regulatory body relating to the regulation of business/group activities may be required.
Experience drafting and negotiating derivatives documentation including ISDA’s, CSA’s, Control Agreements, Confidentiality Agreements, Risk Participation Agreements, Master Confirmation Agreements, Long-Form Confirmations, and other derivatives documentation ancillary thereto.
Knowledge in legal field, typically with a functional or business line specialization.
Knowledge of business and regulatory environment in which BMO Financial Group operates.
Advanced knowledge of subject matter legal requirements and the operations of a single client group.
Negotiation skills - in depth.
Seasoned professional with a combination of education, experience and industry knowledge.
Verbal & written communication skills - In-depth / Expert.
Analytical and problem solving skills - In-depth / Expert.
Influence skills - In-depth / Expert.
Collaboration & team skills; with a focus on cross-group collaboration - In-depth / Expert.
Able to manage ambiguity.
Data driven decision making - In-depth / Expert.

Nice To Haves

Experience in derivatives and capital markets
Thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced financial services environment
Commercially minded legal professional
Strong technical expertise
Sound judgment
Exceptional negotiation skills
Ability to deliver practical, business-focused solutions

Responsibilities

Makes recommendations to senior leaders on strategy and new initiatives, based on an in-depth understanding of the business/group.
May participate in the design of legal advice strategies & approaches for the unit activity and making recommendations to minimize legal issues.
Acts as the prime subject matter expert for internal/external stakeholders.
Exercises judgement on complex, confidential and sensitive matters
Identifies and resolves moderately complex issues. Determines root causes and negotiates resolutions.
Delivers legal advice, instructs external counsel and ensures compliance with internal policies & procedures for a single or small number of function(s).
Acts as a subject matter expert on relevant laws, regulations and policies.
Resolves daily issues and/or escalates with appropriate analysis and/or recommendations.
Identifies risks and implements appropriate actions to mitigate them.
Implements areas of improvement to ensure consistency with market place.
Builds effective relationships with internal/ external stakeholders.
Operates at a group/enterprise-wide level and serves as a specialist resource to senior leaders and stakeholders.
Applies expertise and thinks creatively to address unique or ambiguous situations and to find solutions to problems that can be complex and non-routine.
Implements changes in response to shifting trends.
Broader work or accountabilities may be assigned as needed.
Responsible for advising on a variety of derivatives and other trading products related matters.
Responsible for advising the business on regulatory issues related to derivatives, including initial and variation margin.
Participate in project-related matters within Derivatives Legal Group (within the Capital Markets Legal Team) from time to time