eDiscovery Counsel

In this position, the hired candidate will operate under the supervision of the Legal team to manage eDiscovery in the Americas.  More specifically, the responsibilities of this role include the following:

• Under the direction of counsel, serve as the primary resource for the Litigation, Enforcement & Investigations team to manage document preservation efforts, collections, and reviews in litigations and investigations.
• Provide strategic and technical advice regarding eDiscovery planning and budgeting, including by working with internal/external counsel and eDiscovery vendors to manage document reviews in a cost-effective manner, utilizing technology resources as appropriate.
• Participate in factual investigations and interviews of corporate personnel to fulfill discovery and preservation obligations.
• Assist in negotiation and management of contracts with existing suppliers of litigation support services and technology and monitor and track vendor performance to ensure quality and cost effectiveness.
• Maintain and enhance the Litigation team’s policies, procedures and best practices regarding legal holds and eDiscovery, including by managing the firm’s legal hold software and advising on related process and technology issues.
• Liaise with compliance, IT, records and information management, information security, data management office, and other groups within the Firm to advise on initiatives and developments with eDiscovery impact (including e-communications and audio recordings management, mobile/BYOD policies, cloud-based initiatives, privacy issues, and information governance & defensible disposition projects).
• Advise overseas legal teams regarding legal hold and eDiscovery obligations, including impact of GDPR-related programs.
• Monitor industry news and market developments for innovations in technology, changes in law, and other eDiscovery trends that may impact the firm.

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:

Competencies:  

• Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to effectively communicate highly technical concepts.
• Ability to effectively interact with senior management and other internal groups on complex issues.
• Ability to work independently as well as with other members of the Legal Department and other areas of the firm.
• Ability to mobilize multiple stakeholders within the bank to achieve diverse objectives.
• Ability to prioritize a broad array of tasks.
• An innovative, flexible and creative personality and willingness to take on new challenges and responsibilities.
• Ability to understand how complex systems within a financial institution work and to understand how information is contained in such systems.
• Strong planning and organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Experience shaping policy, execution and related decisions made by teams.

Technical Skills & Knowledge:  

• Proficiency in a wide range of technologies and knowledge as to eDiscovery industry best practices, including an understanding of multiple tools and processes associated with large scale complex eDiscovery response.
• Understanding of products to perform early case assessment, analytics, document searches, and technology-assisted review (TAR).
• Familiarity with technical issues relating to data management, storage, and disposition as it relates to eDiscovery and legal hold obligations.
• Strong market knowledge, including familiarity with leading eDiscovery service providers and participation in relevant industry groups. 

Desired / Plus:

• Industry certifications, including ACEDS and/or CIPP/US
• Understanding of banking and securities and futures industry regulations and norms.
• Familiarity with Microsoft 365, Exterro, and other software commonly used in this market.
• Experience implementing defensible disposal programs at large international institutions.
• Experience with privacy law, including GDPR.
• Project management experience.

Qualifications (Experience, Education, Languages):

• 5+ years of experience providing a wide range of eDiscovery services and litigation support involving complex eDiscovery and challenges with a law firm, corporate law department, eDiscovery vendor or consultant. 

Education:  

• Undergraduate degree from a well-regarded 4-year college/university
• Law degree, admission to New York bar 

Desired / Plus:

• Graduate degree in law
• Prior employment with a financial institution.
• Familiarity/fluency with French.

Societe Generale is committed to offering an inclusive recruitment experience to all candidates. If you require any reasonable accommodations during the recruitment process, please do not hesitate to let our Recruiters know.

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:
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. The role is eligible for an annual discretionary bonus and includes a competitive benefits package including 401(k) plan with company match, medical/dental/vision, and other benefits for fertility, wellness, student loans and commuters.