Assistant General Counsel

Position Summary

The Assistant General Counsel provides advice and counsel to FHLBank leadership, managers, and subject matter experts on legal matters, researches and performs legal analysis, and writes legal opinions and memoranda on issues affecting FHLBank. With respect to individual assignments, the attorney will work independently and with limited supervision by the General Counsel or her designee. The Assistant General Counsel is responsible for meeting the performance requirements, deadlines and standards established for these assignments by the client and the assigning department attorney(s).

Primary Success Factors

• Provides expert legal advice and counsel to senior Bank leadership, business managers, and subject matter experts. Attorney handles complex and sensitive legal matters within the attorney’s assigned areas.

• Anticipate legal and business issues within the attorney’s assigned areas and identify proactive solutions that will eliminate or mitigate risks to Bank. Researches, performs legal analysis, and writes legal opinions and memoranda on issues affecting the Bank.

• Maintains close working relationship with the Legal departments of the other Federal Home Loan Banks to initiate or assist in the development of System-wide legal policy.

• Identifying and monitoring statutes, regulation, and other guidance that affects the Bank, its business, and its members. Prepare legal analysis and interpretation of the changing law and guidance, and assist Enterprise Risk Management to identify gaps within Bank compliance, if any. Coordinate System responses to proposed rules or other guidance with other FHLBank legal departments.; Consults with Bank managers in drafting policies, procedures, or other documents to ensure conformity with sound legal principles and protect the interest of the Bank. Researches and recommends legally required as well as “best practice” policies and procedures to be incorporated into the Bank’s legal compliance program. 

• Participates in development of new products and initiatives of all departments; participates in Bank management committees and taskforces for assessing, developing, and implementing processes or products which have Bank wide impact.

• Consults with outside legal counsel and monitors the effectiveness of service provided.

• Develops creative solutions to address legal issues and minimize risk to Bank, particularly with respect to the Bank’s significant and/or complex commercial transactions/issues; provides strategic direction on legal issues, negotiation, and analysis. 

• Maintains knowledge of regulations, legislation, court cases, and relevant legal developments within the industry and the financial/business community.

• Represents the Bank in System working groups, administrative hearings, and Bank management committees to ensure the effective representation of the Bank’s interest.

• Represents the Bank to member institutions, and to the Affordable Housing Advisory Council.,.

• Ensures legal compliance with applicable policies, procedures and regulations to ensure safe and sound business operations.

• Assists in the development of department goals.

• Effectively communicate to nonlawyer clients.

• Performs additional duties and special projects as assigned in a timely, accurate manner.

Required Experience

• Law degree with a license to practice in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

• Ten or more years of progressively responsible legal experience with significant corporate wide impact

• At least five years of experience working with regulatory agencies (federal or state).

• At least four years senior level experience in a corporate environment handling complex and sensitive legal matters with senior management.

• Substantial and proven abilities to effectively prioritize work, including navigating multiple and potentially conflicting priorities under tight timeframes and deadlines.

• In-depth knowledge/Subject Matter Expert of at least 2 areas of the Bank and legal principles that are applicable to those areas: banking (including secured lending, regulatory compliance, or collateral), commercial transactions (including complex contracting), general corporate and governance (e.g., board governance, Human Relations law, general disclosures and SEC reporting), capital markets, privacy and data mgmt.., financial services and/or financial institutions.

• Solid knowledge of real estate, financial analysis, economics, accounting principles and financial statements. 

• Works independently with limited management oversight.

• Ability to lead projects to completion and to organize and effectively prioritize work including managing multiple projects and tasks effectively.

• Understanding of or experience working in a regulated industry (banking, mortgage banking, real estate or financial services insurance) is required.

It is the policy of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh to ensure equal employment opportunity (EEO) for all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, disability status, genetic information, veteran's status, ancestry, sexual orientation or status as a parent as defined by applicable law. It is the Bank's policy to comply with applicable laws concerning the employment of persons with disabilities, including reasonable accommodation for applicants and employees with disabilities.