VP, In-House Counsel

PATRIOT BANK, N.A.•Stamford, CT

About The Position

Patriot Bank is seeking a highly motivated, business-minded attorney to join its legal department as VP Litigation Counsel. The position has primary responsibility for managing the Bank’s portfolio of credit litigation, foreclosure, bankruptcy, and related collection matters, while advising business and operational stakeholders. It offers meaningful responsibility, direct interaction with executive leadership, and exposure to banking, lending, and regulatory matters as part of a collaborative legal team. The role has no managerial responsibilities.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
Active license to practice law in any U.S. jurisdiction.
Three to five years of relevant legal experience, preferably with a law firm, financial institution, mortgage servicer, or creditor’s rights practice.
Experience handling or managing foreclosure, bankruptcy, creditors’ rights, collections, or commercial litigation matters.
Strong analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
Ability to independently manage a significant portfolio of matters while balancing competing priorities.
Sound judgment and a practical, business-oriented approach to legal issues.
Clear and effective communication.
Collaborative team-player approach.
Detail-oriented, with a high level of accuracy.

Nice To Haves

Connecticut bar admission or eligibility for admission in Connecticut.
Experience supporting financial institutions, payment companies, FinTech organizations, or consumer financial services businesses.
Familiarity with credit card, prepaid card, debit card, ACH, RTP, or other payment systems.
Working knowledge of applicable laws and regulations, including some combination of TILA and Regulation Z, EFTA and Regulation E, UDAAP requirements, BSA/AML, the CARD Act, CFPB guidance and regulations, payment network rules, and state money transmission and consumer protection laws.
Experience reviewing technology, SaaS, data-sharing, or vendor agreements.

Responsibilities

Manage and oversee the Bank’s commercial and consumer litigation portfolio, including foreclosure, bankruptcy, collections, and related proceedings.
Direct and supervise outside counsel, including managing budgets, developing strategy, and overseeing litigation.
Evaluate legal risks, recommend litigation strategies, and advise internal stakeholders on disputed matters.
Partner with lending, credit, special assets, and servicing teams to resolve problem loans and maximize recoveries.
Review pleadings, motions, settlement agreements, and litigation-related correspondence.
Provide legal guidance on foreclosure procedures, creditor rights, workouts, loan enforcement, and bankruptcy matters.
Assist with responses to subpoenas, discovery requests, and governmental inquiries.
Monitor legal developments affecting lending, collections, foreclosure practices, and creditor remedies.
Support enterprise risk management initiatives and legal compliance efforts.
Perform other duties as assigned.