Attorney - Mortgage Banking Servicing Operations

*** Work Arrangement/Location: This is a hybrid position that will be based in the Buffalo, NY office requiring in-office work three days every week.

Overview:

The successful candidate will be located in Buffalo, New York working primarily with M&T Bank (M&T) business teams that support performing (Banking Services) and non-performing (Customer Asset Management – CAM) mortgage loans that are part of M&T’s mortgage servicing portfolios.  In addition, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to work with the Mortgage Origination and Mortgage Operation business teams. 

Primary Responsibilities:

• Partner with members of the Legal Department to support the Associate General Counsel responsible for overseeing legal support for the Residential Mortgage Division.  In addition, the successful candidate will partner with the responsible business line managers and staff responsible for primarily servicing activities, along with origination and operational activities 
• Support the performing residential mortgage servicing operations and the default residential servicing operations of the Customer Asset Management department 
• Support the servicing operations with respect to performing and non-performing first lien and Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) residential mortgage servicing.  Such advice will include, but is not limited to, compliance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations such as the Truth in Lending Act (TILA), Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA), Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA), Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) and Fair Housing Act (FHA)
• Have a working knowledge of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae regulations and guidelines 
• Have familiarity with title reports, recording requirements, and real estate transfer matters
• Provide legal advice to M&T’s Residential Mortgage Division with respect to operations, compliance programs and business line policies and procedures, including required customer facing agreements, documents and disclosures 
• Partner with M&T’s Litigation Department in addressing and responding to legal actions filed against M&T’s Residential Mortgage Division
• Work with and oversee outside counsel retained to provide assistance to M&T’s Residential Mortgage Division
• Partner with M&T’s compliance, risk and audit groups to support M&T’s Residential Mortgage Division
• Keep colleagues, manager, senior management and other personnel up to date on pertinent legal and regulatory developments, including legal risks

Scope of Responsibilities:

This position is responsible for providing basic analysis and counsel on legal issues for business units supported. Incumbent should be able to guard against legal risks facing M&T, develop and recommend corporate policy and positions on legal issues and conduct research into a variety of legal issues. This position requires interaction with mid-level management.

Supervisory/ Managerial Responsibilities:

May provide guidance to more junior staff members. 

Education and Experience Required:

• J.D. from an accredited law school.
• New York State or applicable state bar admission.
• 2-5 years of experience practicing law, ideally in mortgage servicing in banking/financial services or within a law firm.
• Ability to identify legal issues, evaluate legal risks, and offer solutions.
• Strong negotiation, interpersonal, organizational skills.
• Excellent writing, analytical and verbal skills.
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills.