ASSOCIATE COUNSEL - ONSITE - KEY WEST, FLORIDA

ASSOCIATE COUNSEL - ONSITE - KEY WEST, FLORIDA

First State Bank is a customer-focused bank with a long history of serving, reaching out, and connecting with the community. Founded in 1955 with a single branch in Key West, the Bank has grown and changed, as has the surrounding community, but our core values remain the same. First State Bank of the Florida Keys recognizes that what sets us apart are our people.

Here's why you should join First State Bank:

• Competitive Salary and Hourly Pay Rates
• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Long-Term Disability plans available
• 401K Retirement Program with employer matching
• Paid Time Off plus Federal Bank Holidays
• Profit Sharing Program
• Tuition Reimbursement

Position Summary:

This position is responsible for providing strategic analysis and counsel on legal matters to anticipate and guard against legal risks, develop, and recommend corporate policy and positions on legal issues and conduct and coordinate research into a variety of legal issues.

Position Responsibilities:

• Strong corporate governance experience involving regulated financial institutions, including experience advising such institutions on corporate governance matters.
• A strong understanding of bank and bank holding company regulation, at both the federal and state levels, and the bank regulatory and examination processes.
• Experience advising banks and bank holding companies on day-to-day operational matters, including due diligence reviews.
• Responsible for representing the organization in litigation and collaborating with outside legal counsel on complex legal matters.
• Drafting, management, and negotiation of contracts and vendor management.
• Providing guidance to branch personnel regarding Bank policies and procedures; legal research and analysis related to legal, regulatory, and operational matters; assisting with litigation management; and management of special projects.
• Understand and adhere to the Company's risk and regulatory standards at the State and Federal level, policies and controls in accordance with the Bank's risk appetite. Identify risk-related issues needing escalation to management.
• Manage outside counsel relationships and engagements, including providing strategic direction.
• Experience reviewing, drafting, and negotiating loan documents, modifications, forbearance agreements, and similar documents; reviewing, analyzing, and managing legal due diligence (including organizational documents and structure; title, survey, and lease review; and legal opinions); and managing and closing complex commercial real estate loan workout transactions is essential.
• Experience in handling, investigating, and responding to subpoenas, levies, writs of execution and other court issued documents.

Required Education & Experience:

• Preferred candidates should have 2-4 years' experience
• J.D. from an accredited law school.
• Florida state bar admission.
• 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.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel & PowerPoint).
• Proficiency with Westlaw and Lexis.
• Self-starter who possesses the ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Preferred Education & Experience:

• Banking and Finance Associate with 4+ years of experience in the practice of law, preferably at a law firm, bank, or financial services company, or in-house legal department.

• Experience with corporate/transactional and regulatory focused.

Competencies:

• Ability to concisely and effectively communicate complex matters in oral and written form.
• Strong work ethic, excellent leadership skills and action-oriented interest in taking on increased levels of responsibility.
• Ability to examine and analyze cases and documents for inherent legal risks.
• Effective analytical skills, keen attention to detail
• Reliable, responsive, strong work ethic and self-initiative, with the demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and independently to meet demanding deadlines in a fast-paced and changing work environment.
• Solid organization skills and the ability to manage multiple and competing priorities while achieving superior results.

Essential job functions include the employee occupying this position frequently will be required to analyze and interpret complex data; perform problem resolution; communicate with both internal and external customers, and create precise written documentation. The employee must be able to remain in a stationary position 60 percent of the time.

First State Bank is an equal opportunity employer which provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws.

EOE M/F/V/D