In-House Attorney

4191 2nd St SSaint Cloud, MN 56301-3761UNITED STATES

Make sure to read the full description below, and please apply immediately if you are confident you meet all the requirements.

Job Description

Come Grow with Us and Join an Award-Winning Organization! Stearns Bank is looking for an In-House Attorney. This is a remote-eligible position headquartered in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

JOB SUMMARY : Under the direction of the Associate General Counsel, Special Litigation, this position will support litigation, workout, legal collections and complex commercial lending transactions in a national footprint as well as special projects.

This position will help oversee outside counsel to manage complex workout matters and litigation. This position will be responsible for providing responsive legal support to the bank and all of its departments and business units, including key stakeholders.

The position requires exceptional judgment and ability to prioritize and handle matters independently with strong analytical skills in a fast-paced environment.

Starting annual salary of $135,000.00. Employment offers will be dependent upon the selected candidate’s relevant qualifications and experience.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support the General Counsel and Associate General Counsel with a comprehensive range of legal matters, specialty programs and strategic projects.
• Provide highly-responsive legal support relating to a wide variety of bank legal matters including bank transactions, contract review, loan documentation, secured transactions, and lender rights, remedies and recourse.
• Drive and manage workout and collection strategies on problem loans to maximize recoveries and provide reports to senior management of the same.
• Draft and negotiate agreements for complex loan and real estate transactions.
• Assist with legal projects and transactions to support the bank’s strategic priorities.
• Research legal and compliance issues, statutes and regulations, advise the Associate General Counsel and internal clients on recommendations.
• Engage and manage outside counsel in a national footprint.
• Occasionally develop legal risk training based on identified business needs.
• Evaluate the exposure and risks of identified deficiencies and comply with loan policy, regulatory requirements, and agency (SBA, USDA, etc.

guidance for loan origination and servicing.

• Assist in the development of streamlined and improved procedures and processes. Recommend safeguards and improved efficiencies to minimize exposure.
• Maintain a high degree of knowledge of all applicable laws, rules, regulations as they pertain to a national bank and its business.
• Provide guidance in loss prevention and security as applicable for this position.
• Complete all required training.
• Assist on special projects, including M&A or bank partnerships, as needed.

Education & Experience

QUALIFICATIONS

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school required.
• Active attorney license to practice in Minnesota or another U.S. state required.
• At least 4-5 years of experience in a combination of law firm and / or relevant in-house counsel experience, including experience representing financial institutions.
• Background in litigation and / or commercial transactions including corporate law, secured transactions, and workout / litigation, collections, creditors’ rights and bankruptcy.
• Banking experience is a plus.
• Strong transnational experience including contract drafting and negotiation.
• Ability to organize, prioritize and be agile in a fast-paced environment.
• Superior analytical, project management, time management and organizational skills; ability to coordinate own work and work of others to keep projects on task.
• Ability to synthesize information and communicate efficiently and effectively.
• Top-notch legal research and writing skills.
• Extremely resourceful and ability to prioritize and manage a large workload of diverse matters.
• Self-motivated to develop legal expertise, banking industry knowledge and negotiation and counseling skills.

About

Founded in 1912, Stearns Financial Services Inc. (SFSI) is a $2.4 billion well-capitalized, independent financial holding company based in St.

Cloud, Minnesota. Specializing in nationwide small business lending and equipment financing, Stearns has maintained outstanding customer service, fast decisions, and customized finance solutions to their customers for decades.

Stearns Bank has earned itself a stellar reputation amongst customers and competitors alike. This reputation goes beyond just word-of-mouth, as Stearns has been recognized by the Independent Community Banker’s Association (ICBA) as a top-performing bank in the nation based on a 3-year average Return on Assets for banks $1 billion or more.

Stearns has also been recognized by American Banker as a top-performing bank in the nation over a 3-year period for Return on Equity for banks from $2 billion to $10 billion.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER / AFFIRMATIVE ACTION PLAN

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, or creed, religion, sex, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran’s status, status with regard to public assistance, or any other class protected by Federal, State, local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.

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