Corporate Counsel in Los Angeles, California at California Bank of Commerce, N.A.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Corporate Counsel will lead our legal function related to lending, credit, and asset-based transactions. This role serves as the senior legal advisor to banking and credit teams on loan structuring, documentation, risk mitigation, and enforcement strategy, providing sound legal judgment on complex and high-stakes transactions from origination through resolution.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Draft, review, and negotiate loan agreements and related documentation for complex loan structures, including facilities secured by non-traditional or unconventional assets;
• Structure and document credit facilities in partnership with banking and credit teams, tailoring terms, covenants, and conditions to the risk profile of each transaction;
• Manage the full lifecycle of loan workout matters, including negotiating forbearance agreements, overseeing foreclosure proceedings, and executing other lender remedies to protect the institution’s interests;
• Advise bankers and credit officers on optimal loan structure, appropriate collateralization of assets, and proper perfection of security interests to minimize legal and credit risk;
• Work with the Special Assets Team in overseeing litigation strategy related to lender enforcement actions, working closely with outside counsel to manage case strategy, budgets, and outcomes;
• Select, manage, and evaluate outside counsel across multiple matters, ensuring quality representation and cost-effective legal spend;
• Develop, implement, and maintain internal legal policies, document templates, and playbooks to standardize and streamline loan documentation and workout processes across the organization;
• Mentor, train, and manage junior legal staff, paralegals, and other members of the legal team;
• Communicate legal risk trends, exposure, and recommendations clearly to executive leadership and/or the board of directors;
• Serve as a strategic partner to business leaders, translating complex legal concepts into practical, actionable guidance.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Demonstrated experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating loan agreements for complex or non-traditional asset structures;
• Hands-on experience managing loan workouts, including forbearance, foreclosure, and other creditor/lender remedies;
• Strong working knowledge of secured lending principles, collateralization strategies, and perfection of security interests;
• Proven ability to oversee and direct litigation related to lender enforcement
• Excellent negotiation, drafting, and analytical skills, with the ability to manage multiple complex transactions simultaneously;
• Sound business judgment and the ability to advise senior stakeholders effectively under time pressure and in high-stakes situations;
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex legal issues clearly to both legal and non-legal audiences;
• Demonstrated leadership and people-management experience, including mentoring junior attorneys and legal staff.

Education/Licenses/Work Experience:

• Juris Doctor Degree from an accredited law school;
• Active California Bar membership required;
• 10+ years of relevant legal experience, whether in-house or at a law firm, with substantial experience in banking, finance, or commercial lending law.

Work Environment

• Standard office environment with a moderate noise level.

Physical Demands:

The work environment characteristics and physical requirements described here are representative of those which an employee in this position encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Remain in a stationary position for sustained periods of time.
• Occasionally move about inside the office to access filing cabinets and/or other office machinery.
• Occasionally required to raise objects up to 25 pounds from a lower to a higher position, move objects horizontally from position to position with, and/or bend body downward and forward, and/or extend hands and/or arms in any direction to access files and/or other office machinery.
• Consistent use of a computer and/or other office machinery is required, such as a keyboard, calculator, copy machine, scanning machine, and/or computer printer.
• Making substantial and repetitive movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
• Close visual acuity is required to perform activities including, but not limited to, preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing, viewing a computer terminal, and/or extensive reading.
• Regularly required to communicate verbally with employees, clients, and vendors.