Senior Counsel

Columbia Bank•San Diego, CA

4d•$140,000 - $210,000

About The Position

Under the supervision of the Deputy General Counsel, the Senior Counsel provides legal counsel and guidance to help ensure best practices, mitigate risk, and protect the Bank’s interests, with a particular emphasis on employee relations in collaboration with Human Resources. The role advises management and internal Bank clients on legal issues through interpretations, recommendations, memoranda, and correspondence. It anticipates and communicates potential legal issues and collaborates on strategies to mitigate risk and avoid litigation. The Senior Counsel advises Human Resources Administration and Bank managers on terminated, existing, and prospective employee relations; works with Human Resources to oversee active and threatened employment-related litigation and develop and execute strategies, including with outside counsel when applicable; and may appear as counsel of record. The role also serves as an internal contact for outside counsel and collaborates with Human Resources on employment and workplace policies and procedures. The position monitors federal regulations, state statutes, and case law relevant to the Bank’s business, especially employment activities, and provides guidance on litigation arising from the Bank’s business generally. It also requires compliance with applicable banking regulations, Bank policies, and required training; maintaining working knowledge of applicable written policies and regulations; and may include coaching, mentoring, training, or teaching as a subject matter expert. The Senior Counsel is expected to foster Columbia’s corporate culture, take personal initiative, and may perform other duties as assigned. Occasional travel may be required. The stated pay range is $140,000–$210,000. The selected candidate’s pay depends on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, education, and geographic location. The role may be eligible for performance-based incentive compensation.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
Juris Doctor (JD) required.
At least 10 years of experience providing legal support and strategic advice to financial institutions or similarly regulated industries, in private practice or in-house, with a specific emphasis on employment law.
Admitted to practice in relevant jurisdictions and a member in good standing of a relevant bar association.
Pass the state bar exam in one of the Bank’s footprint states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Texas, or Washington.
Knowledge and experience across a broad range of corporate law, potentially including corporate and securities, commercial and real estate lending, operations, compliance, employment, information and security, and treasury and investments.
Broad understanding of financial services regulations and ability to comply with applicable regulations for assigned job responsibilities.
Excellent analytical, organizational, verbal and written communication, interpersonal, time-management, and research skills.
Strong judgment, decision-making, problem-resolution, analytical, research, and litigation skills.
Ability to build effective working relationships with business clients, attorneys, project managers, and corporate compliance professionals.
Ability to train others and create, develop, and deliver presentations to small and large audiences.

Nice To Haves

At least 8 years of experience with California employment law and litigation defense.

Responsibilities

Provide legal counsel and guidance to help implement best practices, mitigate risk, and protect the Bank’s interests, particularly in employee relations.
Provide legal interpretations and recommendations to management and internal Bank clients, including through written memoranda and correspondence.
Anticipate, identify, and communicate potential legal issues and collaborate on strategies to mitigate risk and avoid litigation.
Advise Human Resources Administration and Bank managers on matters involving terminated, existing, and prospective employees.
Work with Human Resources Administration to oversee active and threatened employee-relations litigation and develop and execute strategies, including with outside counsel when applicable.
Appear as counsel of record when appropriate.
Serve as an internal point of contact for outside counsel and facilitate timely communication with Bank personnel.
Collaborate with Human Resources Administration to develop, draft, and update employment and workplace policies and procedures.
Monitor developments in federal regulation, state statute, and case law related to the Bank’s business, particularly employment activities, and serve as a subject matter expert.
Provide guidance and assistance on active and threatened litigation arising generally from the Bank’s business.
Comply with applicable Bank regulations, policies, procedures, and training requirements; keep current on regulation changes and applicable written policies.
Maintain working knowledge of applicable regulations and policies, including the Bank Secrecy Act, Regulation CC, Regulation E, and Bank Security.
May coach, mentor, or train others and teach coursework as a subject matter expert.
Demonstrate and foster Columbia’s corporate culture, take personal initiative, and serve as a positive example.
Perform other duties as assigned; occasional travel may be required.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision plans for eligible associates.
401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match for qualifying associate contributions.
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.
Paid vacation, sick days, volunteer days, and holidays.
Possible performance-based incentive compensation.