General Counsel & Corporate Secretary

Description

Summary/Objectives

The General Counsel is the Bank’s chief legal officer and a key member of the leadership team, responsible for managing all legal affairs of the organization. This role provides strategic guidance, consultation, and support on legal and regulatory matters to the Board of Directors, executive management, and business units. The General Counsel plays a vital role in ensuring the Bank operates within the bounds of applicable laws and regulations while supporting its mission to serve as a trusted, community-focused financial institution.

Essential Functions

1. Serve as the Bank’s principal legal advisor, overseeing all legal, regulatory, and governance matters.
2. Advise senior leadership and the Board on legal risks, corporate strategy, and compliance obligations.
3. Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of contracts, including vendor, customer, real estate, employment, and financing agreements.
4. Collaborate closely with the Chief Risk Officer and other stakeholders to ensure alignment between legal, compliance, and risk management activities.
5. Manage legal aspects of corporate governance, including board and committee documentation, minutes, bylaws, and charters.
6. Oversee all litigation and dispute resolution, coordinating with outside counsel as necessary.
7. Support M&A activities, corporate transactions, and strategic initiatives.
8. Advise on employment law and employee relations matters.
9. Monitor and interpret developments in laws and regulations impacting the Bank, including those from the FDIC, New York State DFS and CFPB.
10. Ensure policies and procedures align with legal and regulatory requirements.
11. Serve as Corporate Secretary to the Board of Directors.

Secondary Functions

1. Assist in the development and delivery of internal training programs on legal, regulatory, or compliance-related topics.
2. Support the drafting or review of marketing materials, disclosures, or public communications for legal and regulatory accuracy.
3. Participate in industry working groups, legal forums, or advocacy efforts related to banking regulations or community banking initiatives.
4. Provide ad hoc legal support to departments such as marketing, IT, facilities, or finance on contract or regulatory questions.
5. Help manage the legal department’s budget, billing processes, and relationships with outside counsel and legal vendors.
6. Contribute to the Bank’s enterprise risk management and business continuity planning initiatives, as needed.
7. Serve as a backup resource to the Chief Risk Officer on overlapping regulatory matters when necessary.
8. Represent the Bank at community events or external stakeholder meetings, supporting its mission-driven and community-focused identity. Support the negotiation and review of vendor and technology contracts, including agreements with core banking systems providers.

Competencies

• Legal Expertise in Financial Services
• Strategic Thinking & Business Acumen
• Communication & Interpersonal Skills
• Leadership & Collaboration
• Governance & Financial Secretary Functions
• Adaptability & Independence

Requirements

•  Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
• Active license to practice law in New York State (or ability to obtain NY in-house counsel registration).
• Minimum 7–10 years of relevant legal experience, including experience in banking, financial services, or regulated industries; prior in-house experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of federal and state banking laws and regulations (OCC-regulated bank experience is a plus).
• Strong contract negotiation and drafting skills.
• Excellent judgment, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to balance legal risk with business objectives in a pragmatic and community-minded way.
• Strong organizational and leadership skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.