Assistant General Counsel - Special Assets/Workout (Hybrid - see potential locations in job description)

M&T Bank; Bridgeport (CT); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 233,000; Full time

Job summary

M&T Bank in Buffalo, NY is seeking an experienced attorney to provide strategic legal counsel to multiple business units and guide product design and geographic expansion while ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The role involves drafting and reviewing business and regulatory documents, supporting policy development, and potentially representing the bank in litigation.

Requires a JD, NY bar admission, and 4+ years of relevant experience, with strong negotiation and writing

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school and NY bar admission.
• Minimum 4 years' experience as an attorney or equivalent.
• Ability to identify legal issues, evaluate risks, and propose solutions.
• Strong negotiation, interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Excellent writing, analytical and verbal skills.
• Strong analytical and decision-making abilities.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic legal advice and opinion to the organization and respond to day-to-day questions from business personnel.
• Guide and support for existing products, new product design and geographic expansion while complying with laws and regulations.
• May represent the organization in litigation matters for assigned businesses or bank functions.
• Draft, review and advise on business and legal documents including regulatory disclosures and licensing statutes.
• Lead development and interpretation of departmental policies and research existing law for new procedures.

Skills

Negotiation

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Analytical skills

Written communication

Verbal communication

Decision-making

Risk assessment

Education

J.D. from an accredited law school

New York State bar admission

Job description

• Work Arrangement & Location: This is a hybrid position requiring four days/week of in-office work plus one day/week of remote work possible. Ideally, this position will be based at the One M&T Plaza office in Downtown Buffalo, NY but may be based at another M&T Bank corporate office in Bridgeport, CT, Paramus, NJ, or Wilmington, DE.

• Work Arrangement & Location: This is a hybrid position requiring four days/week of in-office work plus one day/week of remote work possible. Ideally, this position will be based at the One M&T Plaza office in Downtown Buffalo, NY but may be based at another M&T Bank corporate office in Bridgeport, CT, Paramus, NJ, or Wilmington, DE.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic legal advice and opinion to the organization and answer day-to-day questions from business personnel.
• Provide guidance and support for existing products, new product design, geographic expansion, etc., taking into account all applicable laws, rules and regulations.
• May represent the organization in litigation matters for assigned businesses or bank functions.
• Draft, review and advise on business and legal documents including regulatory disclosures, marketing material and licensing statutes.
• Lead in the development and interpretation of departmental policies. Research and review existing law and make recommendations regarding new procedures and policies.
• Understand and adhere to the Company’s risk and regulatory standards, policies and controls in accordance with the Company’s Risk Appetite. Identify risk-related issues needing escalation to management.

Scope of Responsibilities:

This position is responsible for providing strategic analysis and counsel on complex legal issues for assigned business units. Incumbent should be able to anticipate and guard against legal risks facing M&T, develop and recommend corporate policy and positions on legal issues and conduct and coordinate research into a variety of legal issues. This position requires interaction with mid to senior level management.

Supervisory/ Managerial Responsibilities:

Provide guidance to junior staff members; may supervise Paralegals and administrative staff.

Education and Experience Required:

• J.D. from an accredited law school.
• Minimum of 4 years' experience as an attorney or other relevant legal experience.
• New York State or applicable state bar admission.
• Ability to identify legal issues, evaluate legal risks, and offer solutions.
• Strong negotiation, interpersonal, organizational skills.
• Excellent writing, analytical and verbal skills.
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills.

Education and Experience Preferred:

• Experience with the review and analysis of credit/loan/financing agreement documentation, forbearance agreements, loan modifications, etc. is ideal
• Experience in commercial bankruptcy or workout preferred

M&T Bank is committed to fair, competitive, and market-informed pay for our employees. The pay range for this position is $139,700.00 - $232,900.00 Annual (USD). The successful candidate’s particular combination of knowledge, skills, and experience will inform their specific compensation.

Location

Buffalo, New York, United States of America