Responsibilities
The Attorney desired will provide legal and transactional advice and counsel to clients in SG’s U.S. offices in the Global Lending, Banking and Advisory business lines (GLBA).
- Provide broad and versatile coverage to all lending, finance and investment banking/advisory businesses covered by the team.
- Practice will include the full range of credit and lending documentation.
- Draft, review and negotiate all manner of transaction agreements and provide advice and counseling on documentation, transaction structuring and negotiation consistent with departmental and group-wide policies and guidelines and US law and market practice.
- Identify and, where necessary, escalate and help resolve legal, regulatory, commercial, reputational, operational and other types of risk affecting covered businesses.
- Draft, implement and maintain legal and compliance policies and procedures. Will advise and support clients in new product screening and development.
- Advise on legal and regulatory changes and other developments affecting covered products and businesses.
- Draft, develop and maintain form documentation for various business activities and provide training and educational support to internal clients.
- Work closely with internal stakeholders in the front office, risk, tax, accounting, compliance and other control functions in connection with active transactions and coordinate and work with business lines in other SG offices in connection with U.S. legal matters.
- Represent the legal department as required in transversal projects involving front office and other internal stakeholders.
- Coordinate and supervise activities of external counsel.
Profile required
DIVISION DESCRIPTION:
The mission of the Legal Department is to protect Societe Generale from legal, regulatory, reputational, and other risks, while at the same time assisting the business units in the achievement of their legitimate business interests by providing effective and quality legal services and advice, drafting and reviewing legal documentation and ensuring that business is conducted in compliance with relevant laws and regulations. The Legal Department is also responsible for (a) overseeing litigation, enforcement actions and investigations; (b) promoting strong and ethical legal culture within the Americas; and (c) identifying and mitigating legal risk arising. The members of the Canadian Legal Department work closely with the American Legal Department as we form the Americas Legal Group, and thereby collaborate on regional projects and strive to align on key principles, policies and procedures, and on cross-border business transactions and activities.
SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:
Must Have:
- Major US law firm experience (4+ years) with exposure to one or more of the following areas: leveraged finance, asset-based lending, project finance, corporate lending, and bankruptcy/restructuring.
- At least 4 years of broad-based professional U.S. legal experience, with expertise in corporate lending, leveraged finance, project/infrastructure finance, and securitization (CMBS, CLO).
- An understanding of the core businesses of SG Americas covered by the GLBA legal team, including related banking, securities and other regulatory issues.
- Strong experience drafting and reviewing sophisticated credit documentation, as well as more complex financing transactions and structures.
- Expertise/experience with UCC and U.S. bankruptcy issues and background in U.S. secured transactions law and documentation.
- Familiarity with cross-border/multi-jurisdictional structures and issues.
- Flexible and creative personality, adaptable to changing business and product mix
- Strong client service mentality
- Ability to balance commercial needs while protecting the interests of the bank
- Ability to listen to diverse points of view
- Ability to take a position even in absence of broad-based support
- Ability to forge a consensus among disparate business and control functions
- Ability and willingness to learn new and unfamiliar areas of law and business
- Ability to communicate complex legal concepts in a commercially accessible manner
- Fluency in English and significant prior experience in legal drafting in English
Desired/Plus:
- Familiarity with drafting and negotiating financial crime provisions (ABC, AML, sanctions), and structured finance activities of CSF and related laws and regulations, including Volcker and risk retention.
- Skill and experience in managing interdisciplinary projects and project teams.
- Experience in a bank or other financial services institution with similar businesses to SG Americas.
Education:
- Active Member, New York State Bar
- Law degree from a well-regarded U.S. law school (or foreign equivalent)
- Undergraduate degree from a well-regarded 4-year college/university
Business insight
OUR CULTURE:
At Societe Generale, we live by our 4 core values of commitment, responsibility, team spirit and innovation. We are engaged and demonstrate consideration for others. We act ethically and with courage. We focus our talent and energy on collective success. We experiment and propose new ideas. This way, we maximize our ability to serve client needs and anticipate market changes. Societe Generale is committed to strengthening bonds with colleagues, communities, and the world in which we live, because relationships are at the heart of how we operate.
For more information about our Culture and Conduct initiatives, please visit this link (https://americas.societegenerale.com/en/careers/get-know-culture/)
D&I:
Our Diversity & Inclusion Mission: Recruit, develop, advance, and retain a diverse workforce that is united in our efforts to enhance our competitive position and deliver innovative solutions to our clients.
Our Diversity & Inclusion Vision:
• Engaged workforce that is demographically diverse in a way that reflects the communities in which we operate
• Inclusive culture and workplace that recognizes employees' unique needs and utilizes their diverse talents
• Engage our community and marketplace, and position the organization to meet the needs of all its clients
For more information about our D&I initiatives, please visit this link (https://americas.societegenerale.com/en/societe-generale-about/diversity-and-inclusion/)
HYBRID WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Societe Generale offers a hybrid work arrangement that offers employees the flexibility to work remotely, as well as on-site, in order to promote interaction and collaboration with colleagues while adhering to all SG standard protocols. Hybrid work arrangements vary based on business area. The applicable Business lines will determine and communicate the work arrangements that best meet their business needs.
COMPENSATION & SALARY RANGE:
Base salary range does not include overtime pay, bonus and/or other benefits, where applicable. Actual base salary offer will vary based on skills and experience.
Societe Generale is an equal opportunity employer, and we are proud to make diversity a strength for our company. We are committed to recognizing and promoting the talents and achievements of our employees and staff, regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, gender, sexual orientation, and any other characteristic or status protected under applicable law.