Senior Counsel

Columbia Bank•San Diego, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the supervision of the Deputy General Counsel, the Senior Counsel provides legal counsel and guidance to help implement best practices, mitigate risk, and protect the Bank’s interests, with particular emphasis on employee relations in collaboration with Human Resources. The role advises management, Human Resources Administration, and other internal Bank clients on legal issues involving terminated, current, and prospective employees, providing interpretations and recommendations through memoranda and correspondence. The Senior Counsel anticipates and communicates potential legal issues and collaborates on strategies to reduce risk and avoid litigation. The role works with Human Resources Administration to oversee active and threatened employee-relations litigation, develop and execute appropriate strategies with outside counsel when applicable, and appear as counsel of record where appropriate. It serves as an internal point of contact for outside counsel and helps develop, draft, and update employment and workplace policies and procedures. The Senior Counsel also monitors developments in federal regulation, state statutes, and case law relevant to the Bank, particularly employment matters, and provides guidance on litigation arising more generally from the Bank’s business. The position requires compliance with Bank regulations, policies, procedures, and required training, along with working knowledge of applicable policies and regulations including the Bank Secrecy Act, Regulation CC, and Regulation E. The Senior Counsel may coach, mentor, or train others and teach coursework as a subject matter expert. The role also includes fostering Columbia’s corporate culture, taking personal initiative, supporting the Bank’s vision to become the “Business Bank of Choice,” and performing other duties as assigned. Occasional travel may be required. The position is fully onsite at 4370 La Jolla Village Dr, Suite 300, San Diego, CA 92122.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
Juris Doctor (JD).
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.
Admission to practice in relevant jurisdictions and membership in good standing of the 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 of and experience with a broad range of corporate law, potentially including Corporate and Securities; Commercial and Real Estate Lending; Operations; Compliance; Employment; Information and Security; 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 collegial and effective 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 issues involving terminated, current, and prospective employee relations.
Oversee active and threatened employee-relations litigation with Human Resources Administration 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 efficient 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 statutes, and case law relevant to the Bank, especially 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 required annual or job-specific training, and keep current with regulatory changes.
Maintain working knowledge of Bank policies and procedures related to the Bank Secrecy Act, Regulation CC, Regulation E, Bank Security, and other applicable regulations.
Coach, mentor, or train others and teach coursework as a subject matter expert when asked.
Demonstrate and foster Columbia’s corporate culture, take personal initiative, and support the vision to become the “Business Bank of Choice.”
Perform other duties as assigned.

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.
The role may be eligible for performance-based incentive compensation.