Description:

** Work Arrangement/Location: This is a hybrid position requiring in-office work three days every week. Ideally the position will be based in Buffalo, NY but may be in an M&T office in, Baltimore, MD, NYC, NY, Wilmington, DE, Bridgeport, CT, Paramus, NJ, or Washington, DC.

There might be potential for a remote work arrangement, within the United States, if the final candidate is not near one of the above locations.

Overview:
The successful candidate will join a small team of seasoned attorneys in the Commercial Lending practice group in the Legal Department of M&T Bank Corporation (NYSE: MTB), providing legal counsel and support to various commercial lending segments within the Commercial Division of M&T Bank, a New York state-chartered bank with branches and commercial lending offices in multiple states throughout the northeast United States.

The ideal candidate will have several years of high-quality experience with advising and representing financial institutions on legal and regulatory matters related to the documentation, negotiation, closing and servicing of commercial lending transactions – including both bilateral and syndicated loans – collateralized primarily by business assets and owner-occupied real estate.

Primary Responsibilities:

Promptly address day-to-day legal and other related risk issues arising in connection with proposed, new and existing commercial lending transactions, including advising bank officers at various levels and across various functions
Drafting, reviewing, negotiating and revising commercial loan documents
Maintaining and enhancing template commercial lending agreements and related forms (both home-grown and vendor-based) for use in documenting commercial lending transactions
Interface with and assist with the management of approved outside legal counsel
Drafting and coordinating guidance and communications with outside legal counsel used to close commercial lending transactions
Advising internal clients on the development, implementation and expansion of new credit products, services, markets and distribution channels (e.g., digital lending and electronic signatures)
Monitoring and advising internal client groups on any relevant federal and state laws, regulations and guidelines relating to commercial lending (e.g., UCC Article 9 and related articles, ECOA and Regulation B, FCRA, Fair Lending, Anti-Tying Regulations, Reg H Flood Insurance, etc.) and providing support to enterprise-wide compliance efforts
Proactively identifying, evaluating and escalating legal and regulatory risks relating to commercial lending business activities, and working collaboratively and cohesively with first-line and second-line risk functions to effectively address and mitigate risks
Providing Legal Department representation and support for various Commercial Division committees, project teams and working groups, as needed
Monitoring industry developments and participating in industry groups/committees, as needed
Developing and maintaining trusted working relationships with M&T Legal Department colleagues and internal clients, including loan officers, managers, risk management, compliance and audit partners, loan operations areas and other internal support partners.
Contribute to the development and presentation of commercial lending training programs for internal clients
Execute on strategic direction, policies and guidelines for the M&T Legal Department

Supervisory/ Managerial Responsibilities:
Provide guidance to junior staff members; may supervise Paralegals and administrative staff.

Education, Experience and Skill Requirements:

J.D. degree from an accredited law school
Admitted and in good standing with the state bar of New York and/or other states in the M&T footprint
Minimum of 4 years' experience as an attorney or other relevant legal experience
Experience in a lead counsel, client-facing role in the commercial lending space required
Strong familiarity with commercial lending documents of various types required
Self-motivated and strong/proactive work ethic
Ability to effectively, efficiently and independently identify legal issues, evaluate legal risks, and offer practical recommendations and solutions
Strong interpersonal and organizational skills
Effective collaborator and team player
Strong analytical and decision-making skills
Excellent writing and verbal skills

Education, Experience and Skills Preferred:
5+ years of experience in a lead counsel, client-facing role in the commercial lending space is highly 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