Lending Counsel, Director

The Director and Counsel for Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation will work within the Legal Department and report to the Deputy Head of Lending Group, as a leveraged finance subject matter expert.

Primary responsibilities include:

(i) Reviewing, drafting, and negotiating documentation for credit transactions, with an emphasis on leveraged, acquisition and structured finance transactions, and secondary loan sales and trading, including syndicated credit agreements, reimbursement agreements, guarantees, security agreements, intercreditor agreements, engagement letters, commitment letters, fee letters, term sheets, assignment agreements and participation agreements

(ii) Working closely with the front office and other internal stakeholders to assist with the structuring and coordination of credit transactions

(iii) Supervising and managing external counsel

(iv) Identifying and analyzing U.S. and cross-border legal, regulatory, and market issues affecting the commercial lending businesses, including the legal risk associated with new products and activities

(v) Maintaining and updating form documents

(vi) Providing periodic advice to other SMBC offices on matters of New York law and U.S. market practice, and (vii) participating in continuing legal education seminars of relevance to the commercial lending businesses and participating in relevant industry groups (e.g., LSTA) in order to maintain current knowledge of developing law and market practice. Collaborate and coordinate with attorneys in SMBC LDAD and other internal partners to ensure adherence to institutional standards and policies. Escalate material issues and developments to senior attorneys and members of management.

• Admission to the New York bar (or clear qualification of eligibility for waiving in from another jurisdiction with which New York has reciprocity) and a member of good standing of such bar.
• 5 years minimum experience at a law firm or in-house legal department advising financial institutions on bilateral and syndicated commercial lending transactions with substantial experience in leveraged, acquisition and structured finance transactions. Excellent legal and analytical skills. Broad experience in general credit transactions, including secured and unsecured lending transactions, structured finance, leveraged and acquisition finance, insolvency and bankruptcy, cross-border financing and secondary loan sales and trading is preferred.
• Proven skills in legal risk management. Ability to see past the question and understand the bigger picture. Ability to balance competing demands and protect institutional interests. Ability to articulate complex concepts and ideas and apply them at a practical level to real-world situations.
• Excellent communication skills, technical drafting skills, and issue-spotting skills. Ability to work under pressure, operate comfortably in a fast-paced, demanding environment, and manage a significant workload with minimal supervision. Ability to think creatively and propose solutions.
• Must be a team player.

D&I Commitment

Responsible for fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion, holding leaders accountable for creating an inclusive environment through awareness and practice of equity in recruiting, developing, and promoting diverse talent.