Senior Lead Counsel - Special Assets (Hybrid)

Job Description

The Senior Lead Counsel I is a senior level position responsible for providing legal guidance and thought leadership to the Special Assets (“Special Assets”) risk team (Citi’s internal workout group) and in particular the Special Assets teams covering Citi Commercial Bank and Latin American remedial matters. The overall objective of this role is to provide legal support, advice, and guidance to these teams.

This role requires a pragmatic, proactive attorney with thorough understanding of the direction and objectives of Special Assets, combined with a solid conceptual / practical grounding in the laws and regulations for the geographies in which we operate. Provides input into strategic decisions, exercising sound legal judgement to develop proactive, risk-appropriate, and commercially practical business-oriented solutions.

Responsibilities:

• Responsible for providing legal counsel to the Special Assets team, participating in strategic initiatives, providing subject matter expertise (in particular, on credit and bankruptcy issues) and interpretations of relevant laws, rules, regulations, and industry practices, and advising business management on legal matters impacting the business
• Addresses key legal issues in credit transactions, including credit agreement issues, liability management transactions,  loan amendments/waivers, evaluation of rights remedies, and other exit options
• Provides legal support to Special Assets in its evaluation of distressed situations, including assisting in overall strategy and review of credit/collateral documentation
• Reviews and analyzes credit agreements for liability management exposure, basket availability,  covenant levels, and agency issues
• Gives advice to business teams regarding litigation and bankruptcy matters, including bankruptcy matters relating to bank products
• Objectively evaluates business and restructuring proposals by applying institutional knowledge and risk appetite against industry standards, widely accepted business practices, laws, rules, and regulatory guidelines, escalating as appropriate
• Collaborates across internal lines of business and control/support functions to achieve coordinated and efficient outcomes on matters of common interest; coordinate closely with the Legal team on a regional and global basis
• Supports the debt capital markets loans legal team on loan origination matters as needed.
• Participates in Special Assets planning and development initiatives; contribute to business objectives by providing thought leadership using knowledge of industry, laws, and regulations
• Proactively identifies, evaluates, and contributes to the appropriate management of legal, regulatory, and reputational risk by collaborating with ICRM & Risk, following relevant legal developments, participating in internal projects, escalating as appropriate
• Manages day-to-day legal activities as a subject matter expert in the areas of finance and restructuring  and provide advisory services to business partners and Special Assets.
• Stays up to date on legal developments in the finance and restructuring spaces.
• Monitors management of complex legal issues and transactions, escalating when necessary
• Appropriately assess risk when business decisions are made, demonstrating particular consideration for the firm's reputation and safeguarding Citigroup, its clients and assets, by driving compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations, adhering to Policy, applying sound ethical judgment regarding personal behavior, conduct and business practices, and escalating, managing and reporting control issues with transparency, as well as effectively supervise the activity of others and create accountability with those who fail to maintain these standards

Qualifications:

• 3-5+ years of experience in a restructuring and/or finance practice at a major international law firm.
• Familiarity with bank products (e.g. letters of credit, cash management, ISDA-based trades) is a plus (but not required).
• Banking or financial industry experience, including laws related to banking regulations
• Knowledge of international laws, regulations and practices while staying abreast of regulatory and legal environment, internal policies and industry trends that impact the business
• Experience with complex deals, demonstrated ability to analyze issues and develop legal solutions
• Effective communication an