Overview
Legal Counsel (Commercial Banking & CRE) – 28292 – CJ Jobs in New York, NY at Comrise
Job Overview
We are seeking an experienced Legal Counsel to provide direct legal support for our branch’s commercial banking and lending operations. In this role, you will focus heavily on commercial lending, complex loan documentation, and regulatory compliance—with a primary emphasis on Commercial Real Estate (CRE) financing, construction loans, and syndicated credit facilities.
Working closely with Relationship Managers, Credit Administration, Risk Management, and Senior Leadership, you will ensure that the branch’s lending activities are legally sound, fully compliant with applicable banking regulations, and aligned with the bank’s risk management framework.
Key ResponsibilitiesCommercial Lending & Loan Documentation
- Structure, review, draft, and negotiate complex commercial loan documentation, including bilateral loans, syndicated credit facilities, construction financing, and refinancing.
- Conduct comprehensive legal reviews for Commercial Real Estate (CRE) financing transactions and asset-backed structures.
- Evaluate legal risks associated with deal structures, loan covenants, guarantees, collateral perfection, and security interests (UCC), recommending effective mitigation strategies.
- Partner with Relationship Managers and Credit teams throughout the deal lifecycle, conducting legal due diligence and managing loan closings through post-closing perfection.
Legal & Regulatory Advisory
- Provide actionable legal counsel on day-to-day commercial banking activities, operational matters, and state/federal banking regulations.
- Interpret federal and New York State regulations (e.g., NYDFS, FRB, OCC, FDIC) affecting foreign bank branch operations.
- Advise internal teams on corporate governance, sanctions, and regulatory compliance, supporting internal audits and regulatory examinations as needed.
Contract & Vendor Review
- Draft, review, and negotiate vendor agreements, service contracts, confidentiality agreements (NDAs), and general commercial contracts to protect the bank’s operational interests.
Litigation & Outside Counsel Management
- Manage relationships with external law firms on complex transactions, enforcement actions, collections, and litigation matters—ensuring budget control and work quality.
Qualifications & RequirementsEducation & Bar Admission
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited U.S. law school.
- Bar Admission: Active member in good standing of at least one U.S. State Bar (New York Bar preferred).
- Undergraduate Degree: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field.
Minimum Qualifications
- Experience: Minimum of 5+ years of legal experience advising on commercial banking transactions, gained within a commercial bank, foreign bank branch, corporate banking division, or the banking/finance practice of a law firm.
- Lending Expertise: Proven experience reviewing and negotiating commercial loan documentation, with strong practical knowledge of secured lending, UCC, guarantees, and collateral perfection.
- CRE Focus: Hands-on experience supporting Commercial Real Estate (CRE) lending transactions.
- Skills: Superior legal drafting, analytical, negotiation, and cross-functional communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Prior experience working within a foreign bank branch or international financial institution.
- Familiarity with foreign bank branch regulatory frameworks, New York banking regulations (NYDFS), and federal oversight (FRB, OCC).
- Experience with syndicated lending, asset-based lending, or cross-border trade/structured finance.
- Language Skill: Bilingual fluency in Mandarin Chinese and English (read, write, speak) is a strong plus to facilitate seamless communication with Head Office and international stakeholders.
Key Competencies
- Commercial Lending & CRE Financing
- Loan Documentation & UCC Perfection
- Banking Laws & Regulatory Compliance
- Legal Risk Management & Drafting
- External Counsel & Project Management
#DIRH
Pay: $150,000.00 – $250,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
Title: Legal Counsel (Commercial Banking & CRE) – 28292 – CJ
Company: Comrise
Location: New York, NY
Category:
