Job Abstract

Description

Citizens is looking for a growth and problem-solving attorney to serve as a Trust and Fiduciary Assistant General Counsel in the legal department supporting the Wealth Management Division of the Consumer Bank. The Assistant General Counsel will assist the Associate General Counsel, Wealth Management in providing comprehensive legal guidance to the trust and fiduciary business unit and will also be a member of the legal team supporting the full suite of wealth management businesses. 

Citizens Bank has grown to be a top fifteen consumer bank and deposit franchise and is now embarking on a Wealth transformation initiative to scale its Private Wealth and Private Bank units.  Citizens operates a Trust division under fiduciary powers granted by the Office of the Controller of the Currency (OCC) and the expansion of the trust business is a key pillar in this Wealth transformation strategy.   Fiduciary services provided include Personal and Institutional Trust for HNW and UHNW individuals, Custody, Safekeeping and Agency.  Counsel will be expected to bring legal guidance to business leaders on strategy, implementation, fiduciary regulatory requirements, in addition to addressing day to day needs of specific client situations within the Trust division.

Location: Greater Philadelphia or Northern Delaware area preferred but other areas where Citizens has significant offices will be considered

Primary Responsibilities will include:

• Advise Trust management and staff on a wide range of legal and compliance issues concerning all aspects of trust administration, operations, fiduciary investments, and related legal trends in the trust industry within the Bank’s full-service wealth management business. 
• Advise executive management as well as control function colleagues on trust servicing and state law and regulatory requirements that apply to trust departments and other fiduciary activities of the Bank.
• Participate as a non-voting member on various fiduciary governance committees.   Provide expertise in the interpretation of trust instruments, state trust statutes, and judicial precedent consistent with industry standards for fiduciary activities.
• Assist Compliance and Risk colleagues in responding to regulatory requests and examinations and with the submission of regulatory filings.  
• Monitor fiduciary industry regulatory developments, and legislation that may affect business lines.  
• Develop legal assessments, interpretations, recommendations, and opinions on laws, policies, and regulatory issues.
• Act as a liaison with outside law firms engaged to represent the Bank on fiduciary matters. 
• Provide subject matter advice concerning business transactions, claim liability, advisability of prosecuting or defending lawsuits, or legal rights and obligations.
• Work to resolve fiduciary issues raised by Trust grantors and beneficiaries, state authorities and tax authorities.
• As needed, assist in the due diligence of potential Wealth Management acquisition targets. 
• Review and draft internal policies and procedures. 
• Review and draft the Bank’s fiduciary legal agreements, disclosures, regulatory filings, 
• Lead or participate in other legal projects and matters as assigned.

Required Skills/Experience:

• 5+ years of legal experience in trust and fiduciary law. 
• Team player – collaborates and coordinates well across all levels within Legal and the firm.
• Ability to handle and prioritize multiple high profile projects, strong attention to detail and ability to thrive in fast paced, dynamic work environment.
• Must be able to manage and progress projects independently with minimal supervision.
• The confidence to critically examine the status quo as appropriate, bring fresh and innovative thinking and be outspoken, when necessary, coupled with strong drafting and communication skills.

Ideal Candidates would possess:

• Experience working in house on trust and fiduciary matters. 
• Experience with fiduciary investments, ERISA and retirement plans, charitable trusts and Delaware trust law is desirable.
• The ability to think tactically to get to the best result for all parties.
• The ability to see past the immediate question and understand the broader implication and wider strategy.

Education/Certifications:

• JD or equivalent, strong academic credentials
• Admission to at least one U.S. bar required.

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Equal Employment Opportunity

At Citizens we value diversity, equity and inclusion, and treat everyone with respect and professionalism. Employment decisions are based solely on experience, performance, and ability. Citizens, its parent, subsidiaries, and related companies (Citizens) provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all colleagues and applicants for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, citizenship, physical or mental disability, perceived disability or history or record of a disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression (including transgender individuals who are transitioning, have transitioned, or are perceived to be transitioning to the gender with which they identify), genetic information, genetic characteristic, marital or domestic partner status, victim of domestic violence, family status/parenthood, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, pregnancy/childbirth/lactation, colleague’s or a dependent’s reproductive health decision making, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or any other category protected by federal, state and/or local laws.

Equal Employment and Opportunity Employer

Citizens is a brand name of Citizens Bank, N.A. and each of its respective affiliates.