Sunwest Bank
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General Counsel
role at
Sunwest Bank
Overview The General Counsel position is the bank’s chief legal counsel and key member of the executive leadership team. They are responsible for overseeing and providing strategic guidance on all legal matters for a growing, regional bank. This includes bank regulatory compliance, corporate litigation, borrower litigation, M&A, contract negotiation, corporate governance, and loan documentation standards. The role is critical in supporting the bank’s multi‑year strategic initiatives, particularly in commercial lending, M&A, and strategic partnerships.
Key Responsibilities
Provide comprehensive and strategic legal counsel to the management team and board of directors.
Effectively manage legal matters or oversee specialized outside counsel.
Oversee all legal aspects of commercial and real‑estate lending, including revolving lines of credit, term loans, equipment finance, solar loan and lease financing, construction loans, and bridge financing.
Advise on litigation strategy and manage outside counsel for general corporate litigation and borrower litigation/asset recovery cases.
Oversee legal aspects of loan workouts, foreclosures, bankruptcies, and restructurings in coordination with the Special Assets Department.
Monitor and ensure compliance with all federal and state banking regulations, including ECOA, HMDA, FCRA, GLBA, CRA, and BSA/AML.
Draft, review, and negotiate contracts, loan documents, and vendor agreements.
Support the Credit Administration and Executive Credit Committee with legal risk assessments and policy development.
Lead legal due diligence for new products, services, M&A and strategic transactions.
Serve as corporate secretary and manage governance matters, including board resolutions.
Additional Responsibilities
Demonstrate professionalism in communication, attitude, and teamwork.
Effectively manage outside counsel relationships to ensure strong work product with cost‑effective legal and litigation management.
Adhere to all company policies and procedures, safety regulations, and local, state, and federal laws.
Maintain awareness of compliance requirements related to financial institutions, with emphasis on BSA/AML/CIP, Consumer Privacy, Regulation CC, Information Security, Bank Protection Act, FACT‑Identity Theft, Information Technology, and GLBA.
Perform additional duties as assigned.
Supervisory Responsibilities This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.
Minimum Qualifications
Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school; licensed to practice law in Utah and/or California. Licensing or legal experience in Arizona, Idaho, and Florida is a plus.
Minimum 15 years of legal experience, with experience in banking and financial services required.
Deep expertise in commercial and real‑estate lending law, with significant transaction experience.
Significant experience directly litigating or managing litigation related to bank corporate matters, loan workouts, and borrower litigation, including bankruptcy and complex corporate entity structures.
Proven leadership in partnering with internal executives and effectively managing external counsel.
Strong analytical, negotiation, and communication skills.
Competencies
Adaptability
Communication
Decision Making
Initiative
Innovation
Motivator
Organization
Professionalism
Results Oriented
Physical Demands
Standing, walking, and squatting less than fifty percent of the work shift.
Required to lift, move, and carry up to 40 pounds.
Ability to read, count, and write to accurately complete all documentation and reports.
Must be able to see, hear, and speak in order to communicate with employees and other customers.
Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
Manual dexterity required using hands to finger, handle, feel, and type; reach with hands and arms.
Equal Opportunity Employer Sunwest Bank is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We work with staff members and customers without regard to race, ancestry, national origin, sex, marital status, age, religion, medical condition, handicap, disability, or veteran status.
Seniority Level
Executive
Employment Type
Full‑time
Job Function
Legal
Industry
Banking
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General Counsel
role at
Sunwest Bank
Overview The General Counsel position is the bank’s chief legal counsel and key member of the executive leadership team. They are responsible for overseeing and providing strategic guidance on all legal matters for a growing, regional bank. This includes bank regulatory compliance, corporate litigation, borrower litigation, M&A, contract negotiation, corporate governance, and loan documentation standards. The role is critical in supporting the bank’s multi‑year strategic initiatives, particularly in commercial lending, M&A, and strategic partnerships.
Key Responsibilities
Provide comprehensive and strategic legal counsel to the management team and board of directors.
Effectively manage legal matters or oversee specialized outside counsel.
Oversee all legal aspects of commercial and real‑estate lending, including revolving lines of credit, term loans, equipment finance, solar loan and lease financing, construction loans, and bridge financing.
Advise on litigation strategy and manage outside counsel for general corporate litigation and borrower litigation/asset recovery cases.
Oversee legal aspects of loan workouts, foreclosures, bankruptcies, and restructurings in coordination with the Special Assets Department.
Monitor and ensure compliance with all federal and state banking regulations, including ECOA, HMDA, FCRA, GLBA, CRA, and BSA/AML.
Draft, review, and negotiate contracts, loan documents, and vendor agreements.
Support the Credit Administration and Executive Credit Committee with legal risk assessments and policy development.
Lead legal due diligence for new products, services, M&A and strategic transactions.
Serve as corporate secretary and manage governance matters, including board resolutions.
Additional Responsibilities
Demonstrate professionalism in communication, attitude, and teamwork.
Effectively manage outside counsel relationships to ensure strong work product with cost‑effective legal and litigation management.
Adhere to all company policies and procedures, safety regulations, and local, state, and federal laws.
Maintain awareness of compliance requirements related to financial institutions, with emphasis on BSA/AML/CIP, Consumer Privacy, Regulation CC, Information Security, Bank Protection Act, FACT‑Identity Theft, Information Technology, and GLBA.
Perform additional duties as assigned.
Supervisory Responsibilities This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.
Minimum Qualifications
Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school; licensed to practice law in Utah and/or California. Licensing or legal experience in Arizona, Idaho, and Florida is a plus.
Minimum 15 years of legal experience, with experience in banking and financial services required.
Deep expertise in commercial and real‑estate lending law, with significant transaction experience.
Significant experience directly litigating or managing litigation related to bank corporate matters, loan workouts, and borrower litigation, including bankruptcy and complex corporate entity structures.
Proven leadership in partnering with internal executives and effectively managing external counsel.
Strong analytical, negotiation, and communication skills.
Competencies
Adaptability
Communication
Decision Making
Initiative
Innovation
Motivator
Organization
Professionalism
Results Oriented
Physical Demands
Standing, walking, and squatting less than fifty percent of the work shift.
Required to lift, move, and carry up to 40 pounds.
Ability to read, count, and write to accurately complete all documentation and reports.
Must be able to see, hear, and speak in order to communicate with employees and other customers.
Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
Manual dexterity required using hands to finger, handle, feel, and type; reach with hands and arms.
Equal Opportunity Employer Sunwest Bank is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We work with staff members and customers without regard to race, ancestry, national origin, sex, marital status, age, religion, medical condition, handicap, disability, or veteran status.
Seniority Level
Executive
Employment Type
Full‑time
Job Function
Legal
Industry
Banking
#J-18808-Ljbffr