Senior Counsel

Address:

This role provides and manages the delivery of legal and regulatory advice on products, initiatives, strategies, policies and developments (specifically supports the Canadian Equipment Finance business) for and on behalf of BMO Financial Group. Provides legal advice based on knowledge of legal principles, practices and procedures, and knowledge of the financial services industry and its environment. Influences and negotiates to achieve business objectives. Works to achieve organizational goals while minimizing legal risk.

• Provide expert legal advice on equipment leasing and financing transactions, including drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts, lease agreements, loan documents, and other legal instruments.

• Ensure compliance with federal and provincial laws, regulations, and industry standards, including the Bank Act, Personal Property Security Act (PPSA), and other relevant legislation.

• Identify, assess, and mitigate legal risks associated with leasing and financing activities, ensuring alignment with the Bank’s risk appetite and policies.

• Provide and manage the delivery of legal and regulatory advice on products, initiatives, strategies, policies and procedures to senior leaders based on knowledge of the financial services industry and its environment.

• Manage and assist on matters involving delinquent accounts, including, but not limited to, drafting reservation of rights letters and default notices.

• Provide legal support for complex financing transactions, including cross-border deals and syndicating and/or participating loans and leases to investors.

• Work closely with internal teams (e.g., credit, operations, sales, documentation) and advise on legal matters.

• Conduct training sessions for employees on legal and compliance matters, such as contract management and negotiation, risk mitigation, PPSA, and documentation.

• Work with equipment management group on the sale or other disposition of assets at the end of the financing term, including sales to third parties.

• Stay informed of changes in laws, regulations, and industry trends affecting equipment leasing and finance in Canada, and advise on their impact.

• Work with outside counsel on specialty assets transactions such as aircraft, rail, marine and green energy.

• Makes recommendations to senior leaders on strategy and new initiatives, based on an in-depth understanding of the business/group.

• May participate in the design of legal advice strategies & approaches for the unit activity and making recommendations to minimize legal issues.

• Acts as the prime subject matter expert for internal/external stakeholders.

• Exercises judgement on complex, confidential and sensitive matters

• Identifies and resolves moderately complex issues.

• Determines root causes and negotiates resolutions.

• Delivers legal advice, instructs external counsel and ensures compliance with internal policies & procedures for a single or small number of function(s).

• Acts as a subject matter expert on relevant laws, regulations and policies.

• Resolves daily issues and/or escalates with appropriate analysis and/or recommendations.

• Identifies risks and implements appropriate actions to mitigate them.

• Implements areas of improvement to ensure consistency with market place.

• Builds effective relationships with internal/ external stakeholders.

• Geographic scope: up to global.

• Operates at a group/enterprise-wide level and serves as a specialist resource to senior leaders and stakeholders.

• Applies expertise and thinks creatively to address unique or ambiguous situations and to find solutions to problems that can be complex and non-routine.

• Implements changes in response to shifting trends.

• Broader work or accountabilities may be assigned as needed.

Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor (JD) or LLB from an accredited Canadian law school.

• Licensed and qualified to practice law in Ontario and, preferably, Quebec

• Minimum 7-10 years of relevant experience, with a focus on commercial law, equipment leasing, or financial services.

• In-depth knowledge of Canadian commercial law, equipment leasing and finance transactions, PPSA, and banking regulations.

• Proven experience drafting and negotiating complex commercial agreements.

• Ability to work independently as the sole in-house attorney while managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

• Experience with and knowledge of Quebec’s civil law system is strongly preferred.

• Fluency in both English and French (written and verbal) is preferred to support operations in Quebec and other French-speaking regions.

• Verbal & written communication skills - In-depth / Expert.

• Analytical and problem-solving skills - In-depth / Expert.

• Influence skills - In-depth / Expert.

• Collaboration & team skills; with a focus on cross-group collaboration - In-depth / Expert.

• Able to manage ambiguity.

• Data driven decision making - In-depth / Expert.

The above represents BMO Financial Group’s pay range and type.

Salaries will vary based on factors such as location, skills, experience, education, and qualifications for the role, and may include a commission structure. Salaries for part-time roles will be pro-rated based on number of hours regularly worked. For commission roles, the salary listed above represents BMO Financial Group’s expected target for the first year in this position.

BMO Financial Group’s total compensation package will vary based on the pay type of the position and may include performance-based incentives, discretionary bonuses, as well as other perks and rewards. BMO also offers health insurance, tuition reimbursement, accident and life insurance, and retirement savings plans. To view more details of our benefits, please visit: https://jobs.bmo.com/global/en/Total-Rewards

About Us

At BMO we are driven by a shared Purpose: Boldly Grow the Good in business and life. It calls on us to create lasting, positive change for our customers, our communities and our people. By working together, innovating and pushing boundaries, we transform lives and businesses, and power economic growth around the world.

As a member of the BMO team you are valued, respected and heard, and you have more ways to grow and make an impact. We strive to help you make an impact from day one – for yourself and our customers. We’ll support you with the tools and resources you need to reach new milestones, as you help our customers reach theirs. From in-depth training and coaching, to manager support and network-building opportunities, we’ll help you gain valuable experience, and broaden your skillset.

To find out more visit us at https://jobs.bmo.com/ca/en.

BMO is committed to an inclusive, equitable and accessible workplace. By learning from each other’s differences, we gain strength through our people and our perspectives. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. To request accommodation, please contact your recruiter.

Note to Recruiters: BMO does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from a candidate. Any unsolicited resumes sent to BMO, directly or indirectly, will be considered BMO property. BMO will not pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume. A recruiting agency must first have a valid, written and fully executed agency agreement contract for service to submit resumes.