Senior Counsel, Commercial Banking
Senior Counsel, Commercial Banking
Posted on :
07-07-2025
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1 Vacancy
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Job Description
Join a Challenger
Being a traditional bank just isnt our thing. We are big believers in innovating the banking experience because we believe Canadians deserve better options and we challenge ourselves and our teams to creatively transform whats possible in banking. Our team is made up of inquisitive and agile minds that find smarter ways of doing things. If youre not afraid of taking on big challenges and redefining the future you belong with us. Youll get to work with people who will encourage you to reach new heights. We like to keep things fun ask questions and learn together.
We are a big (and growing!) family. Overall we serve more than 670000 people acrossCanadathrough Equitable BankCanadasChallenger Bank and have been around for more than 50 years. Equitable Banks wholly-owned subsidiary Concentra Bank supports credit unions acrossCanadathat serve more than six million members. Together we have over$125 billionin combined assets under management and administration with a clear mandate to drive change in Canadian banking to enrich peoples lives. Our customers have named our EQ Bank digital platform () one of the top banks in Canada on the Forbes Worlds Best Banks list since 2021.
The Work
Under the general direction of the General Counsel but directly reporting to the Director Commercial Banking the successful candidate will generally work independently within the Legal Department providing a wide range of services to the business units but with a particular focus on Commercial Banking including advising on new product introductions and corporate initiatives and assisting with customer and regulatory issues.
The successful candidate will be involved in handling a significant workload inclusive of inquiries and assignments from different departments as well as on legal matters arising from various statutory and regulatory changes.
Senior Counsel will preserve the Banks reputation for integrity and work with the departments to protect the organization from sanctions with policies and procedures that meet regulatory requirements. The department strives to maintain cooperative relationships with all internal departments governmental policy makers and regulatory and self-regulatory agencies that govern the Banks businesses.
The Core Responsibilities!
- Provide legal analysis documentation preparation negotiation and advice on complex issues with an emphasis on commercial real estate and secured lending in general
- Work with internal stakeholders in providing advice on deal structuring taking effective security and ensuring the Banks interests are protected at all times
- Provide timely and accurate responses to questions from various departments to facilitate transactions within predetermined timeframes
- Contribute to the drafting and negotiation of critical legal agreements
- Facilitate the achievement of corporate goals by ensuring compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements
- Research substantial legal issues as well as federal and provincial legislation to evaluate implications on the Bank
- Identify (and occasionally proactively identify) the importance and urgency of issues and evaluate the legal risks the Bank is exposed for the purpose of escalating these risks to management
- Review and advise on developing legal trends (policies/procedures) and their implications on the Bank and recommend courses of action in the best interest of the Bank
- Maintain proximity to applicable industry and market trends in Canadian finance commercial real estate and project development
- Interact with various departments within the Bank in connection with advice and legal documentary requirements
- Manage the expense of outsourcing legal work and promote efficiencies where possible
- Work in a fast-paced detail oriented environment and manage multiple deadlines and priorities
- Work with minimal supervision and exercise excellent judgement on complex confidential and sensitive decisions
- Provide sign off on behalf of Legal Department for certain projects agreements and initiatives
General Legal Advice/Support (30%)
- Provide pragmatic and timely legal advice on a variety of day-to-day issues
- Prepare review and negotiate company contracts requests for proposals and other legal documentation
- Ensure contracts contain requisite protections and regulatory requirements
- Develop precedents for business initiatives to streamline internal processes and minimize reliance on external counsel
- Conduct legal research and undertake special projects as required
- Help manage the Banks overall legal risk position by ensuring that contracts reflect best practice and legal requirements
- Interact with various departments within the Bank in connection with advice and legal documentary requirements
- Act as expert and trusted source of knowledge in key areas and deliver training / education sessions to business units
- Provide sign off on behalf of Legal Department for certain projects and internal policies
Commercial Lending Transactions (40%)
- Review draft and comment on documentation and processes relating to new commercial lending transactions
- Work closely with the Banks Originations Credit and Underwriting teams as a key legal resource in the establishment of new commercial real estate loan facilities and related agreements
- Provide legal advice pertaining to the Banks active commercial real estate loan facilities by acting as an ongoing legal resource for the Portfolio Management and Special Loans (Defaults) groups
- Utilize a business-oriented approach to support the Commercial Department generally in its negotiation and interpretation of inter-lender arrangements
- Offer business-oriented legal advice relating to syndicated loan facilities asset based lending and structured financing to Canadian private lenders
- Draft documentation and amend existing documentation to support changes in processes and/or enhancements by commercial business managers
- Direct and oversee the management of external counsel as needed to ensure cost-effectiveness and high-quality service
Corporate Initiatives and Commercial Projects (30%)
- Act as primary Legal Department representative on the Banks new corporate initiatives and commercial projects
- Work with the Commercial Department generally to support launch of new products/initiatives etc.
- Review draft and comment on documentation and processes relating to commercial projects and initiatives
- Provide legal support to the procurement and third-party risk management teams in reviewing various contracts for the Banks third party vendors and servicers ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and Bank policies and procedures
Lets Talk About You!
- Degree from recognized Canadian University
- Graduate of a recognized law school (L.L.B. or J.D.)
- Called to the Ontario Bar/Member in good standing of the Law Society of Ontario
- 4-6 years of post-call experience in private practice or in-house (at preferably another bank or financial institution)
- Wherewithal in financial services/banking law
- Robust knowledge of commercial real estate law
- Comprehensive experience with commercial lending transactions which must include real estate financing
- Familiarity with structured finance and asset-based lending transactions
- Familiarity with insolvency law and proceedings
- Experience with CMHC insured loan transactions would be an asset
- Ability to have carriage of multiple transactions at a given time
- Working knowledge of consumer provisions and other legislation impacting the regulatory landscape
- Familiarity with the relevant regulatory bodies (i.e. OSFI FCAC CDIC FINTRAC OSC)
- Masters level education (MBA or LLM for example) would be an asset
- Proficiency in French would be an asset
- Professional and courteous manner
- Ability to collaborate with all internal and external stakeholders
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills both written and oral
- Strong prioritization skills
- Proficient computer skills
- Highly organized and autonomous
- Team player and positive attitude
- Demonstrate reliability and integrity
- Problem solving capability and critical thinking
- High degree of discretion with confidential issues and materials
- Proactive willing to take initiative to effect improvements
What we offer For full-time permanent roles
Competitive discretionary bonus
Market leading RRSP match program
Medical dental vision life and disability benefits
Employee Share Purchase Plan
Maternity/Parental top-up while you care for your little one
Generous vacation policy and personal days
Virtual events to connect with your fellow colleagues
Annual professional development allowance and a comprehensive Career Development program
A fulfilling opportunity to join one of the top FinTechs and help create a new kind of banking experience
The incumbent will be working hybrid and in office time will be spent working from Equitable Banks additional office space located at 2200-25 Ontario Street Toronto ON.
Equitable Bank is deeply committed to inclusion. Our organization is stronger and our employees thrive when we honour and celebrate everyones diverse experiences and perspectives. In tandem with that commitment we support and encourage our staff to grow not just in their career path but personally as well.
We commit to providing a barrier-free recruitment process and work environment for all applicants. Please let us know of any accommodations needed so that you can bring your best self to the application process and candidates considered for hire must successfully pass a criminal background check and credit check to qualify for hire. While we appreciate your interest in applying an Equitable recruiter will only contact leading candidates whose skills and qualifications closely match the requirements of the position.
We cant wait to get to know you!
Required Experience:
Senior IC
Employment Type
Full-Time
Key Skills
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