Real Estate Finance and Lending Attorney

The BBVA US Legal Department provides legal support to the Corporate & Investment Banking Group (“CIB”), which includes the New York branch and Houston representative office of BBVA (a Spanish bank), and its SEC-registered broker dealer. The successful candidate will provide counsel on legal and regulatory issues, perform legal research, review documentation for financial transactions, present updates to senior management and manage corporate governance, primarily in support of CIB under the supervision of the General Counsel for CIB in the US.

Primary Duties

• Support real estate finance transactions, including the review and analysis of financing documentation for project-based and asset-based loans made to REITS, data center companies and financial sponsors and asset managers (e.g., credit agreements, guarantees, mortgages/deeds of trust, leases, SNDAs, insurance documents and security documents) and related regulatory compliance advice.
• Support non-real-estate finance transactions, including the review and analysis of legal documentation for secured and unsecured lending transactions.
• Answer legal and regulatory questions and provide day-to-day support to the BBVA Group, whether with respect to its US operations or globally, engaging colleagues in Europe, Asia and Latin America.
• Represent the Legal Department in meetings across various bank functions with senior management and external stakeholders. Advise on all legal matters relevant to US CIB operations.

Required Qualifications

• At least 3 years of experience at a top law firm.
• Prior experience negotiating real estate finance documentation.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently, exercise good judgment with respect to escalation, and collaborate effectively in a team-oriented environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and analytical skills.
• High degree of integrity and strong work ethic. Timely follow-through on commitments.
• A Juris Doctor from a top law school.
• An active license to practice law in the State of New York.

Desired Skills

• Great sense of humor and positive perspective.
• Interest in improving Legal Department operational efficiency.
• General commitment to training and improving upon policies and procedures.
• General knowledge of laws and regulations applicable to banks.
• Legal flexibility: a willingness to jump into unfamiliar legal terrain, including derivatives and securities trading, trade finance, litigation, vendor contracting, sustainability, cybersecurity, data protection, corporate reporting, securities offerings, and AML/BSA.
• Experience negotiating corporate finance documentation outside of real estate finance.
• Spanish language skills are a plus.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

With respect to this position in our New York Office, the expected base salary ranges from $160,000 to $190,000. It is not typical for offers to be made at or near the top of the range. Salary offers are based on a wide range of factors including relevant skills, training, experience, education, and, where applicable, certifications obtained. Market and organizational factors are also considered. In addition to salary and a generous employee benefits package, successful candidates are eligible to receive a discretionary bonus.

*Employment eligibility to work with BBVA in the U.S. is required as the company will not pursue visa sponsorship for these positions