Senior Counsel- Commercial Lending/Private Credit

BMO (Bank of Montreal)•San Francisco, CA

54d

About The Position

Provides and manages the delivery of legal and regulatory advice on products, initiatives, strategies, policies and developments for and on behalf of BMO Financial Group. Provides legal advice based on knowledge of legal principles, practices and procedures, and knowledge of the financial services industry and its environment. Influences and negotiates to achieve business objectives. Works to achieve organizational goals while minimizing legal risk. Structuring, negotiating and supervising the documentation of corporate finance transactions involving senior debt, mezzanine debt and/or equity. Serving as a strategic partner for businesses in support of building and managing a varied investment portfolio. 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 with commercial lending.
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.
Prior experience representing (as inside or outside counsel) insurance companies, banks, private credit funds or other institutional investors in corporate finance and/or leveraged finance transactions.
Familiarity or prior experience with the federal securities laws.
Knowledge of business and regulatory environment in which BMO Financial Group operates.
Advanced knowledge of commercial lending.
Advanced knowledge of subject matter legal requirements and the operations of a single client group.
Negotiation skills - in depth.
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.

Responsibilities

Structuring, negotiating and supervising the documentation of corporate finance transactions involving senior debt, mezzanine debt and/or equity.
Serving as a strategic partner for businesses in support of building and managing a varied investment portfolio.
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.