Senior Counsel - Digital Assets

BMO (Bank of Montreal)•San Francisco, CA

53d

About The Position

This role will support BMO's strategic engagement in the evolving landscape of Digital Assets, including payment stablecoins, blockchain technologies, distributed ledger technology (DLT), cryptocurrencies, and related innovations. The successful candidate will contribute to initiatives involving legislative advocacy, regulatory developments, rulemaking processes, and external communications. We are seeking a candidate with strong legal research and analytical skills, a solid understanding of the regulatory and policy environment, and a demonstrated ability to assess and manage compliance and risk considerations in alignment with BMO's legal and regulatory obligations. Makes recommendations to senior leaders on strategy and new initiatives, based on an in-depth understanding of the business/group. 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

Degree in law (LLB or JD) and license to practice law in Illinois
3+ years of experience practicing as an attorney with a major law firm, banking regulatory agency, or in-house legal department.
2+ years of experience advising complex financial institutions on regulatory matters.
Familiarity with digital assets, blockchains, cryptocurrencies, and traditional securities, payments, and/or commodities law.
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.