Corporate Counsel

German American Bank; Whitehall (OH); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision, STD, LTD, and

Paid time off (25 days) and holidays

Educational assistance

Wellness benefits

Life insurance

Parental bonding leave

Service awards

401(k) match

Stock purchase plan

Employee discounts

Free checking and related services

Job summary

German American Bank is seeking a Corporate Counsel to serve as a trusted legal advisor, guiding business-focused legal matters across banking, regulatory, and operations. The role collaborates with leaders to identify risks, interpret laws, and support strategic objectives while ensuring compliance.

The attorney will manage litigation support, subpoenas, contract reviews, and regulatory issues, while partnering with risk, compliance, and business teams to drive efficient governance and policy

Qualifications

• J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Active license to practice law in Indiana, Kentucky, or Ohio; willingness to become licensed in Indiana within two years.
• Minimum five years of progressively responsible legal experience.
• Experience in banking law, commercial litigation, financial services, or regulatory compliance.
• Litigation experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support management of litigation and coordinate activities with outside counsel.
• Assist with litigation strategy and legal risk assessments.
• Analyze and respond to legal correspondence, including attorney demand letters.
• Handle subpoenas including analysis, strategy, objections and negotiations, and document coordination.
• Oversee outsourced legal service providers supporting subpoena administration.
• Provide legal guidance related to banking operations, deposits, payments, treasury management, lending, and other operations.
• Research legal and regulatory issues affecting products, services, and operations.
• Monitor regulatory developments and communicate trends and risks.
• Review, analyze and draft customer agreements, vendor contracts, NDAs, and other agreements.
• Ensure disclosures balance regulatory compliance and business objectives.
• Partner with Risk, Compliance, Info Security, Internal Audit, and business leaders to identify and mitigate risks.
• Assist with development and maintenance of policies and procedures.
• Provide counsel on new products, digital banking initiatives, AI, and privacy matters.
• Identify opportunities to improve legal processes and operational efficiencies.
• Participate in cross-functional projects and strategic initiatives.

Skills

Legal research

Analytical skills

Relationship building

Communication

Multitasking

Collaboration

Independent work

Prioritization

Attention to detail

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Job description

The Corporate Counsel serves as a trusted legal advisor to the Bank by providing practical, business-focused legal guidance across a broad range of banking, regulatory, and operational matters. This position partners with business leaders to identify legal risks, interpret applicable laws and regulations, and develop solutions that support the Bank's strategic objectives while maintaining regulatory compliance.

The Corporate Counsel manages a diverse portfolio of legal matters, including litigation support, subpoena response, contract review, banking operations, vendor agreements, and regulatory issues. This role works collaboratively across the organization and with outside counsel to protect the Bank's interests while enabling sound business decisions.

What You'll Do:

Litigation & Legal Process

• Support the management of litigation and coordinate activities with outside counsel.
• Assist with litigation strategy and legal risk assessments.
• Analyze and respond to legal correspondence, including attorney demand letters.
• Handle complex and sensitive subpoenas served on the Bank, including legal analysis, response strategy, objections and negotiations, and coordination of required documentation.
• Oversee outsourced legal service providers supporting subpoena administration.

Business & Regulatory Support

• Provide legal guidance related to banking operations, deposit accounts, payments, treasury management, lending, and other operational functions.
• Research legal and regulatory issues impacting products, services, and operations.
• Monitor legal and regulatory developments and communicate emerging trends and risks.

Contracts & Documentation

• Review, analyze and draft customer agreements, vendor contracts, NDAs, and other commercial agreements.
• Ensure that disclosures and other legal documents appropriately balance regulatory compliance and business objectives.

Risk & Governance

• Partner with Risk Management, Compliance, Information Security, Internal Audit, and business leaders to identify and mitigate risks.
• Assist with development and maintenance of policies and procedures.
• Provide counsel with respect to new products, digital banking initiatives, artificial intelligence, and privacy matters.

Process Improvement & Strategic Initiatives

• Identify opportunities to improve legal processes and operational efficiencies.
• Participate in cross-functional projects and strategic initiatives.

What it Takes:

Education

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an ABA-accredited law school.

• Active license and in good standing to practice law in Indiana, Kentucky, or Ohio; if not licensed in Indiana, must have ability and willingness to become licensed in Indiana within two (2) years.

Experience

• Minimum five (5) years of progressively responsible legal experience.
• Experience in banking law, commercial litigation, financial services, or regulatory compliance.
• Experience advising business clients on complex legal matters.
• Litigation experience is preferred.

Knowledge Skills & Abilities

• Advanced legal research, analytical, and judgment capabilities.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective relationships within and across operational functions and business groups at all levels of the organization.
• Effective organizational, multi-tasking and prioritization skills, including ability to manage multiple projects concurrently.
• Ability to work effectively in a complex environment with a high degree of collaboration.
• Ability to effectively build relationships with leaders and team members in a geographically dispersed team environment.
• Ability to work independently during times of ambiguity and change.
• Experience working with changing priorities and deadlines.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.

What we can offer you:

• Medical, dental, vision, STD, LTD, Life insurance, etc.
• 25 days paid time off, 11 paid holidays and bereavement leave
• Educational assistance program
• Wellness benefits
• Life event coverage
• Paid parental bonding leave
• Service awards
• Financial benefits including 401(k) match, stock purchase plan and more
• National and local discounts on everything from computers and vacations to phones and retail shopping.
• Logo wear discounts
• Free checking account, checks and discounted bank services

About Us

German American Bancorp and its family of financial services companies employ talented, compassionate people throughout the organization, truly making German American special. Delivering genuine, customized, personal service with a focus on truly serving customers and communities well, our employees bring the Shield of Excellence commitment to life with each and every interaction.

German American Bank is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), age (40 or older), national origin, genetic information, veteran status, disability, or any other basis protected by law.

German American is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, if you require reasonable accommodation in completing the application process, interviewing, or completing any pre-employment testing, please direct your inquiries to our Talent Acquisition team at 812-482-0717 or [e-mail].

German American employees are required to adhere to laws and regulations applicable to banks and to German American policies and procedures. Applicants should expect to complete necessary pre-employment screening pursuant to these laws, regulations, and policies.