Description:

An American National Bank is committed to providing fair and equitable compensation opportunities to all colleagues. The included salary range for this role takes into account multiple factors that are considered in making compensation decisions. The base pay actually offered may vary based upon candidate's skills and experience, job-related knowledge, licensure and certifications, geographic location, and other specific business and organizational needs. As An American National Bank puts career development at the forefront of our colleague experience, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role.

As a candidate, you are encouraged to ask compensation related questions and have an open dialogue with your recruiter who can provide you more specific details for this role.

Line of Business:
Legal:
Job Description:
Department Overview:
As part of the Legal Department, the Senior Counsel is at the center of keeping An American National Bank strong and resilient, all while enabling responsible growth.

You will provide oversight, legal advice, and support to An American National Bank's US Credit Cards and Unsecured Lending (CCUL) lines of business. You will use your expert judgement to provide solution-oriented legal guidance regarding the bank's consumer lending products, operations, and processes. You may also, directly and indirectly through external counsel, support business development teams and the management of legal and contractual requirements for CCUL's merchant partner relationships. You will be a trusted advisor to product owners and risk stakeholders.

Job Summary:
The Counsel provides legal advice and support to management and employees in Corporate Group functions and Business units. Functions as a legal resource focusing on one or more defined subject matters and/or specific businesses. Typical tasks include managing litigation, negotiating contracts, assisting the Business with product roll-outs, and advising the Business regarding regulatory developments. Responsible for anticipating and addressing potential legal risks. Relies on legal skills, experience and judgment to accomplish goals.

Depth & Scope:

Provides consistent and sound legal advice in a clear, concise and responsive manner by taking initiative to develop legal knowledge and skill; knowing relevant substantive law, identifying legal issues; knowing the business and its products, operations, strategy, risk appetite and regulatory environment; owning the role of interpreting legal requirements through a balanced understanding of the law and business context to formulate relevant legal theories; and identifying business issues and policies related to the legal requirements, describing legal issues and options to the client
Identifies conflict situations and brings more senior lawyers into the decision-making process as appropriate by identifying situations when actions that the business unit wants to take conflicts with An American National Bank's risk appetite and discusses with client how particular actions might be inconsistent
Effectively contributes to and/or leads negotiations and conflict resolutions by gathering supportive information in preparation for the negotiation, understanding the dynamics of the process and displaying an effective combination of firmness, tact, patience and respect in dealing with all parties involved

Education & Experience:

Bachelors degree required
JD from accredited law school required
5+ Years of related experience
Admission to appropriate State Bar in good standing and licensed to practice law in the State
Basic understanding of banking/financial services operations and issues
Ability to simplify, problem solve, multitask and work effectively against deadlines
Integrity and high moral standards
Strong negotiation and conflict resolution skills
Strong legal research and analysis skills
Detail oriented
Must be able to apply legal knowledge to the business
Ability to exercise sound judgment
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Strong teamwork and client skills
Highly motivated
May supervise administrative and paralegal staff and junior attorneys

Preferred Qualifications:

Prior in-house experience at a nationally or state-chartered bank, consumer finance company, fintech company, payment processor or network, or large retailer with a consumer credit program.
Prior experience advising on both product and regulatory legal considerations, as well as exposure to transactional issues, for private label, co-brand, and point-of-sale financing programs, such credit cards, installment lending, or buy-now pay-later products.
Prior experience developing and updating template agreements, as well as advising on related business policies and procedures.
Detailed knowledge of and experience with the Truth-in-Lending Act (TILA), Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), Unfair Deceptive and Abusive Acts and Practices (UDAAP), and other laws and regulations related to consumer credit.
Familiarity with OCC Bulletin 2023-17 and the Interagency Guidance on Third-Party Risk Management, particularly as it relates to expectations with contractual obligations.
Familiarity with bank and financial institution risk management organizations and processes, and a demonstrated ability to work closely with compliance teams, risk stakeholders, and other internal lawyers.