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

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

Job summary

M&T Bank in Buffalo, NY seeks a licensed attorney for a hybrid role with four days in-office and one day remote. The position provides strategic legal counsel to business units, supports product guidance, and ensures compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

The successful candidate will have a J.D., a state bar admission, and at least four years of experience. Strong negotiation, writing, and analytical skills are essential, with the ability to advise executives and manage risk.

Qualifications

• 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, and writing skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic legal advice and opinion to the organization.
• 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.

Skills

Legal analysis

Negotiation

Written communication

Verbal skills

Education

J.D. degree

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