Senior Counsel, Trust & Estates (14 Month Secondment)

We’re building a relationship-oriented bank for the modern world. We need talented, passionate professionals who are dedicated to doing what’s right for our clients.

At CIBC, we embrace your strengths and your ambitions, so you are empowered at work. Our team members have what they need to make a meaningful impact and are truly valued for who they are and what they contribute.

To learn more about CIBC, please visit CIBC.com

What you’ll be doing

As Senior Counsel, Trust and Estates you will be accountable for providing legal services and advice to members of the organization. You will work with employees in designated lines of business to assist in mitigating potential legal risks. You will participate, as a team member, in various projects by providing initial and ongoing legal advice. Other key areas of accountability include the drafting and negotiation of legal documents for subsequent review with your manager, as applicable.

At CIBC we enable the work environment most optimal for you to thrive in your role. Currently, you’ll have flexibility within a hybrid arrangement, spending 2–3 days per week on-site and the remainder working remotely. Please note that this arrangement is subject to change, and the number of on-site days may increase.

How you’ll succeed

• Legal Advisor - Work with various lines of business and advise on Trusts and Estates, including among other things, certain matters and escalations arising from issues related to operation and administration of registered plans, trusts, wills, estate administration, beneficiary designations, powers of attorney, joint ownership of assets, mental capacity, and similar matters. Provide proactive, responsive and sound legal advice to designated lines of business to assist with the mitigation of legal risk.
• Attention to Detail - Keep apprised of developments in legislation and case law, bring those developments to the attention of the manager, and assist in the identification and assessment of their effect on designated lines of business. Conduct research on legal issues and prepare opinions for review with the manager and present those opinions to the designated lines of business. Identify systemic issues and assist in the development of preliminary recommendations to assist the designated lines of business in addressing the identified issues. Review policies and procedures, as and when required, for applicable legal requirements and to mitigate reputational risk and reduce exposure to legal liability.
• Engage Externally - Actively participate in industry forums, network of external law firms and contacts in financial institutions and, where appropriate, regulators.  Be aware of relevant business developments both within CIBC and within the industry. Take opportunities to regularly communicate findings to colleagues and lines of business. 
• Strong Communicator and Team Oriented - Keep the manager apprised of developments of  key projects and escalate issues that may pose a potential legal risk to the business and/or organization. Draft, negotiate and summarize legal documents and review drafts with the manager, as appropriate. Develop and sustain good working relationships with designated lines of business by facilitating open communication and becoming familiar with the designated lines of business. Participate, as a team member, in various projects relating to product and service development by providing legal and regulatory advice, identifying potential legal risks, and assisting with the development of risk mitigation strategies.

Who you are

• You can demonstrate experience in and have a minimum of 7 years of progressive and proven track record as a legal advisor. You have experience in providing advice on a variety of complex issues & mitigating legal and reputational risk.
• You’re a certified professional.  You have been called to the Bar in Ontario and are a member in good standing.
• You give meaning to data. You enjoy investigating complex problems, and making sense of information. You're confident in your ability to communicate detailed information in an impactful way.
• You act like an owner. You thrive when you're empowered to take the lead, go above and beyond, and deliver results.
• You look beyond the moment. You make decisions and take actions that will make a difference today and tomorrow. You proactively seek new opportunities to define what's possible.
• Values matter to you. You bring your real self to work and you live our values – trust, teamwork and accountability.

#LI-TA

What CIBC Offers

At CIBC, your goals are a priority. We start with your strengths and ambitions as an employee and strive to create opportunities to tap into your potential.

• We work to recognize you in meaningful, personalized ways including a competitive compensation, a banking benefit*, wellbeing support and additional offers such as employee and family assistance programs and MomentMakers, our social, points-based recognition program.

• Our spaces and technological toolkit will make it simple to bring together great minds to create innovative solutions that make a difference for our clients.

*Subject to program terms and conditions

What you need to know

• CIBC is committed to creating an inclusive environment where all team members and clients feel like they belong. We seek applicants with a wide range of abilities and we provide an accessible candidate experience. If you need accommodation, please contact Mailbox.careers-carrieres@cibc.com

• CIBC is committed to clarity in our hiring process. All roles posted are opportunities we’re actively recruiting for, unless stated otherwise.

• You need to be legally eligible to work at the location(s) specified above and, where applicable, must have a valid work or study permit

• We may ask you to complete an attribute-based assessment and other skills test (such as simulation, coding, French proficiency).

• We use artificial intelligence tools during the recruitment process. Our goal for the application process is to get to know more about you, all that you have to offer, and give you the opportunity to learn more about us.

Expected End Date

2027-08-31

Job Location

Toronto-81 Bay, 20th Floor

Employment Type

Regular

Weekly Hours

37.5

Skills

Communication, Legal Consulting, Legal Practices, Legal Services