Senior Counsel, Fiduciary Administration

We are hiring for our Fiduciary Administration Legal Team in California. Our team reviews new fiduciary business opportunities, advises on legal issues arising from day-to-day fiduciary operations, and provides guidance on policies and procedures. You will have the opportunity to advise senior leaders on risk and legal issues arising out of fiduciary business decisions and to support the growth of fiduciary administration throughout California and other footprint states.

The person in this role provides and manages the delivery of legal and regulatory advice on products, initiatives, strategies, policies and developments for and on behalf of BMO's US Wealth Management operating group. Provides legal advice based on knowledge of fiduciary principles, the financial services environment, and industry practices. Influences and negotiates to achieve business objectives. Works to achieve organizational goals while minimizing legal risk.

Responsibilities:

• 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:

• Typically, 10 years of legal practice with a focus on trusts & estates or an equivalent in-house experience.
• Degree in law (JD or LLB) and license to practice law in relevant jurisdiction.
• Private practice, in-house experience or experience at regulatory body relating to the regulation of business/group activities may be required.
• Knowledge in legal field, typically with a functional or business line specialization.
• Knowledge of business and regulatory environment in which BMO Financial Group operates.
• Advanced knowledge of subject matter legal requirements and the operations of a single client group.
• Negotiation skills - in depth.
• Seasoned professional with a combination of education, experience and industry knowledge.
• 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.

BMO is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer. We evaluate applicants without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or any other legally protected characteristics. We also consider applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law.

BMO is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.