Associate General Counsel

Job DescriptionFirst American Bank was founded in Chicago, and over the years has expanded throughout Wisconsin and Florida. As the largest privately held bank in Illinois, we now have over 60 locations and assets of $5+ billion. We are a community bank at heart with international expertise, traditional values, and a forward-looking philosophy. Our employees have the experience and vision to meet the needs of savers, borrowers, and businesses in the 21st century. First American Bank can offer employees a level of visibility, career growth, and stability that is difficult to find in many larger corporations.The Banking/Transactional Attorney will act as an in-house lawyer for First American Bank and play a crucial role in ensuring that the Bank’s operations adhere to legal and regulatory requirements. This individual will provide legal counsel across various banking functions in the Bank’s footprint, including commercial lending and loan documentation, regulatory compliance, contract management, privacy compliance, data management, and litigation and e-discovery. This role will involve working closely with various departments of the Bank to support business objectives while mitigating legal risks and ensuring adherence to all applicable laws, regulations, and best practices. This individual will report to the Deputy General Counsel, as well as work under the direction of the Associate General Counsel and Commercial Managing Attorney.DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIESLegal Advisory:Provide timely and practical legal advice to senior management and various departments on a wide range of issues, including banking regulations and operational matters.Develop strategies to mitigate risks faced by the Bank and consult and guide senior management and various departments in risk mitigation.Prepare and provide training and guidance to employees on legal and regulatory requirements and emerging issues.Commercial Lending and Loan Documentation:Provide legal advice and assistance to commercial lenders related to deal structure and related matters, including reviewing and approving commitment letters and confidentiality agreements.Review and approve commercial loan documents, including drafting custom provisions and supervising loan closings as needed.Assist the commercial lenders with their collection efforts, including producing default letters and forbearance agreements.Provide legal assistance to the Trade Finance Department, including reviewing draft standby letters of credit.Negotiate deposit account control agreements for the Treasury Management department.Provide legal advice to the Retail Lending department on transactional and documentation issues.Assist in updating the department’s forms and forms in the Laser Pro system as necessary.Work on commercial lending matters under the supervision of the Associate General Counsel and Commercial Managing Attorney.Regulatory Compliance and Developments/Implementation:Monitor and stay updated on changes in laws and regulations affecting the banking industry.Work with the Compliance department to ensure the Bank’s policies comply with relevant legal and regulatory requirements.Support projects related to ongoing compliance with applicable laws and regulations.Contract Management:Draft, review, and negotiate various types of contracts, including vendor agreements, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory standards.Assist in managing the Bank’s contracts and other legal documents.Privacy Compliance and Data Management:Advise on compliance with data protection laws and data management practices.Work with IT and Information Security departments to ensure compliance with privacy laws.Litigation and e-Discovery:Identify and assess potential legal risks and develop proactive strategies to mitigate them.Manage and oversee litigation and other disputes in coordination with outside counsel.Maintain legal hold and e-discovery policies and procedures.Manage the identification, collection, and review of data for litigation and investigations.Documentation and Reporting:Maintain accurate and organized legal records and documentation.Prepare reports and updates for senior management on legal issues and developments.Other:Conduct and complete additional assignments/projects as designated by management.QUALIFICATIONSJuris Doctor (JD) or equivalent legal qualification from an accredited institution.Licensed to practice law in Illinois, Florida, or Wisconsin.Minimum five years of experience in a law firm or in-house. Financial institution experience preferred.Familiarity with laws applicable to financial institutions.Excellent professional and organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects.Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.Ability to work collegially and independently.Ability to maintain good working relationships with internal partners.Ability to interact with members of the legal and banking community.Use sound professional judgment to balance interests of the Bank and stakeholders.Ability to work quickly in a fast-paced environment.Proficiency with Microsoft 365 products and applications.Familiarity with e-discovery software tools.Experience with Westlaw or Lexis legal research required.Ability to learn new systems and applications.Occasional travel to various Bank branch and department locations.Typical schedule is Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.Additional hours and occasional weekends may be required.

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