Legal Counsel - Deposits and Retail Banking

Job Title: Legal Counsel – Deposits and Retail Banking

Reports To: Deputy General Counsel 

Direct Reports: Legal Specialist Senior

Salary Grade: 13

SUMMARY

Seeking experienced lawyer to join United Community’s dynamic Legal Solutions & Advisory Team (LSAT). Ideal candidate will have minimum of 5 years of in-house legal experience at a bank with a strong focus on retail banking and deposit operations (or demonstrably similar experience in private practice). This role involves responsibility for the following:

• Providing timely and practical legal support to retail bank personnel on deposit-related matters, including powers of attorney, trusts, estates, guardianships, escrow arrangements, and corporate authority issues.
• Leading a team of dedicated non-lawyer legal specialists to efficiently and effectively respond to subpoenas, garnishments, and levies.
• Resolving deposit- and discovery-related disputes, including collaboration with outside legal counsel. 
• Working closely with other business units and teams (e.g., compliance, deposit operations, treasury management, project governance, training and support) to support key bank initiatives.

The culture of United and LSAT is defined by service and performance. Candidate must share those values. 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Basic Qualifications:

• Juris Doctorate from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Member in good standing of the bar in at least one U.S. state.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant legal experience (in-house legal experience at bank preferred).

Other Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:

• Strong command of legal, regulatory, and practical issues related to the deposit-taking function.
• Ability to mentor and lead a geographically dispersed team.
• Demonstrates adherence to high standards of integrity and professional conduct.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion in sharing sensitive information.
• Ability to demonstrate sound judgment and analysis even in ambiguous situations.
• Practical, commercial orientation focused on risk-based decision making.
• Collaborative, collegial, and skilled at building consensus with diverse professional groups.
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and oral, and analytical and critical thinking abilities.
• Excellent organizational skills; ability to manage multiple projects at once and meet deadlines.
• Ability and experience to work independently.
• Detail-oriented and able to work well under pressure.
• Ability to adapt to new demands and respond appropriately to potentially stressful situations.
• Ability to build positive and productive relationships with team members by understanding the business and providing advice in a way that builds trust and collaboration.
• Ability to travel occasionally to other offices or branch locations across the footprint.

JOB FUNCTIONS

• Providing legal support to retail bank personnel on deposit-related matters, including powers of attorney, trusts, estates, guardianships, escrow arrangements, and corporate authority issues.
• Leading a team of dedicated non-lawyer legal specialists to efficiently and effectively respond to subpoenas, garnishments, and levies.
• Resolving deposit- and discovery-related disputes, including collaboration with outside legal counsel. 
• Working closely with cross-functional teams to support key bank initiatives.
• Providing support and assistance during continuous regulatory examination cycles.
• Monitoring regulatory developments. Coordinating regulatory changes within affected lines of business and ensuring that changes and controls are implemented to facilitate regulatory compliance.
• Supporting the General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel with respect to institutional projects touching on applicable substantive legal areas.
• Serving as a subject matter expert and being available to answer general compliance questions from employees.
• Leading and managing direct reports, including training, coaching, performance evaluations, annual personal performance plans, and recommending promotions, salary changes, transfers, and disciplinary actions.
• Supporting special projects as necessary.
• Performing other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY 

This position involves the management of employees and is responsible for coaching, development, and performance management of those employees.

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

United’s main office in Greenville, SC preferred. Other locations within the United’s community depending on circumstances.

POSITION TYPE 

This is a full-time position that requires schedule flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed.

TRAVEL 

This position requires up to 10% travel.

OTHER 

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state, or local protected class.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.