General Counsel

The Role: EVP/ General Counsel

The Location: SB, LA, OC, SD, California

Reports To: EVP/President/CEO

Make a Difference Where It Matters Most

At CalPrivate Bank, we believe banking is personal. We have deep roots in the communities we serve, and our client relationships are built on genuine care, thoughtful problem-solving, and unwavering integrity. Our solutions-based service, paired with best-in-class talent, sets us apart in the market, but it’s trust that defines who we are. It's our gold standard, the currency we trade in, and the foundation of every decision we make.


We’re looking for leaders who want more than a title. We’re looking for team players who want to make an impact. If you're driven to lead with purpose, ready to shape the future and have meaningful impact at a relationship-centered bank, CalPrivate Bank may be the place for you.

Your Opportunity: General Counsel

At CalPrivate Bank, the General Counsel serves as the Bank’s chief legal advisor and a trusted partner to executive leadership and the Board of Directors. As a key member of the Bank’s senior leadership team, the General Counsel provides legal guidance, risk oversight, and strategic counsel across all aspects of the Bank’s operations, ensuring the organization conducts business in a manner consistent with applicable laws, regulations, fiduciary responsibilities, and sound banking practices.

The General Counsel serves as a critical steward of the Bank’s legal integrity, regulatory compliance, and corporate governance framework. The role directly supports the Bank’s mission by helping leadership pursue strategic growth opportunities while maintaining appropriate legal and regulatory safeguards.

The General Counsel plays a vital role in safeguarding CalPrivate Bank’s reputation, supporting its strategic growth, and ensuring the organization remains a trusted financial partner to clients, shareholders, employees, and communities. Through proactive legal leadership and sound judgment, this executive helps create a foundation for sustainable growth, operational excellence, and long-term success while enabling the Bank to confidently pursue its mission of delivering exceptional relationship-based banking solutions.

Through proactive legal guidance and risk management, the General Counsel enables business leaders to make informed decisions that support long-term profitability, operational excellence, and shareholder value.

As CalPrivate Bank continues its growth trajectory, the General Counsel will provide leadership across a broad range of legal disciplines, including banking regulations, securities law, corporate governance, commercial lending, contract negotiation, vendor management, regulatory examinations, mergers and acquisitions, litigation management, intellectual property, privacy, and enterprise risk matters. This position excludes primary responsibility for employment law matters, which are managed through Human Resources and external employment counsel as appropriate.

What You’ll Do

Strategic Legal Leadership

• Serve as the principal legal advisor to the Board of Directors, Executive Leadership Team, and senior management.
• Provide practical, risk-based legal counsel regarding strategic initiatives, business operations, corporate transactions, and regulatory matters.
• Advise executive leadership on emerging legal, regulatory, and industry developments affecting the Bank.
• Participate in strategic planning initiatives and provide legal guidance related to growth opportunities, new products, partnerships, and organizational initiatives.
• Develop and implement legal strategies that support business objectives while protecting the Bank from undue legal exposure.
  
  

Corporate Governance & Board Support

• Advise the Board of Directors and executive leadership on governance best practices and fiduciary responsibilities.
• Assist with preparation and review of Board materials, resolutions, corporate records, governance documents, and committee matters.
• Ensure compliance with corporate governance requirements, securities regulations, and applicable banking laws.
• Support corporate secretary functions as needed and maintain corporate governance frameworks.
  
  

Bank Regulatory Compliance

• Provide legal counsel regarding federal and state banking laws and regulations.
• Advise on matters involving:
• Federal Reserve
• FDIC
• California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI)
• SEC
• FINRA-related matters, as applicable
• Consumer protection regulations
• Privacy and information security laws
• Anti-money laundering and financial crimes regulations
• Assist management during regulatory examinations, inquiries, and enforcement matters.
• Coordinate legal responses to regulatory findings, recommendations, and supervisory actions.
• Ensures compliance with all regulatory requirements, internal controls, audit expectations, and Bank policies.
  

Securities Law & Public Company Matters

• Provide legal oversight and counsel regarding SEC reporting obligations and public company governance requirements.
• Review and advise on:
• Periodic SEC filings
• Proxy statements
• Corporate disclosures
• Insider trading policies
• Securities offerings
• Shareholder communications
• Investor relations legal matters
• Monitor developments in securities regulations and advise leadership accordingly.
  
  

Commercial Lending & Credit Risk

• Provide legal review and counsel related to commercial lending activities and credit administration.
• Advise lending and credit teams regarding:
• Commercial loan structures
• Credit facilities
• Loan documentation
• Collateral perfection
• Guarantees
• Workouts and restructurings
• Problem credits and special assets
• Review and assess legal risks associated with large or complex lending transactions.
• Partner with credit leadership on legal considerations related to underwriting standards and portfolio risk management.
• Provide legal guidance regarding loan modifications, foreclosures, creditor rights, and recovery strategies.
  

Contracts & Vendor Management

• Contracts & Vendor Management
• Draft, review, negotiate, and approve a broad range of commercial agreements.
• Provide legal oversight for:
• Vendor agreements
• Technology contracts
• Core banking agreements
• Client agreements
• Service provider relationships
• Professional services engagements
• Marketing and sponsorship agreements
• Strategic partnership agreements
• Confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements
• Develop contract standards and governance processes that improve efficiency while reducing risk.
• Advise business leaders on contractual obligations and dispute resolution strategies.
• Review and assess legal risks associated with large or complex lending transactions.
• Partner with credit leadership on legal considerations related to underwriting standards and portfolio risk management.
• Provide legal guidance regarding loan modifications, foreclosures, creditor rights, and recovery strategies.
  

Corporate Transactions & Strategic Initiatives

• Provide legal support for mergers, acquisitions, branch acquisitions, strategic investments, joint ventures, and other corporate transactions.
• Conduct legal due diligence and manage external legal resources supporting transaction activities.
• Review transaction structures and associated risks.
• Support negotiation and documentation of strategic business arrangements.
  
  

Litigation & Dispute Management

• Oversee management of litigation, threatened claims, subpoenas, investigations, and disputes involving the Bank.
• Coordinate activities with outside counsel.
• Develop litigation strategies and recommendations for executive leadership.
• Manage legal budgets associated with litigation and outside legal services.
• Evaluate legal risks and settlement opportunities.
  
  

Privacy, Information Security & Data Governance

• Advise on legal requirements related to data privacy, cybersecurity, and information governance.
• Support compliance with applicable privacy regulations and data protection requirements.
• Partner with Information Technology and Risk Management teams regarding cyber incidents, breach response, and information security matters.
• Review data-sharing arrangements and third-party risk considerations.
  
  

Risk Management & Enterprise Oversight

• Collaborate with Risk Management, Compliance, Internal Audit, and executive leadership to identify and mitigate enterprise risks.
• Provide legal perspective on operational, reputational, strategic, and regulatory risks.
• Support development and maintenance of policies, procedures, and governance frameworks.
• Participate in risk committees and executive governance forums.
  
  

Outside Counsel Management

• Select, engage, and oversee external legal counsel.
• Ensure efficient utilization of outside legal resources.
• Monitor legal expenditures and negotiate fee arrangements.
• Evaluate performance of external legal service providers.
  
  

Leadership Expectations

The General Counsel Is Expected To

• Operate as a trusted advisor and strategic thought partner to executive leadership.
• Demonstrate sound judgment, integrity, and discretion in handling sensitive matters.
• Communicate complex legal concepts in a practical and business-focused manner.
• Build strong partnerships across all business lines and functional areas.
• Balance legal risk mitigation with the Bank’s entrepreneurial and relationship-driven culture.
• Promote a proactive legal and compliance culture throughout the organization.
• Lead with professionalism, accountability, collaboration, and a solutions-oriented mindset.
  
  

AML/CFT/Compliance Responsibilities

This position includes direct or indirect interaction with customers and other employees and therefore includes responsibilities relating to BSA/AML. The employee will have opportunity to examine and view information and documents produced by other employees of the Bank relating to BSA and therefore has the obligation to report suspicious activity to the BSA Officer as appropriate. The employee is responsible for understanding and following the Bank’s BSA/AML policies including elevating suspicious activity to the BSA Officer. Additionally, the employee is required to understand and follow the Bank’s compliance program BSA/AML policies including elevating suspicious activity to the BSA Officer. Additionally, the employee is required to understand and follow the Bank’s compliance program.

Who You Are

Experience & Expertise

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
• Active membership in good standing with the State Bar of California.
• Proven success in business development, relationship expansion, loan production, and deposit growth.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive legal experience, with significant experience advising financial institutions, banks, publicly traded companies, or highly regulated organizations.
• Demonstrated expertise in banking law, commercial lending, securities law, corporate governance, contract negotiation, and regulatory matters.
• Experience supporting executive leadership teams and Boards of Directors.
• Prior in-house counsel or General Counsel experience strongly preferred.
• Experience managing outside counsel and complex legal matters.
• Deep understanding of banking regulations and financial services legal frameworks.
• Strong knowledge of SEC reporting and public company governance requirements.
• Expertise in commercial lending, credit structures, and banking operations.
• Exceptional contract drafting and negotiation skills.
• Strong business acumen and ability to provide practical legal solutions.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and executive influence skills.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple complex matters simultaneously.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
  
  

Mindset & Values

• You lead with accountability, integrity, and consistency.
• You thrive in a collaborative environment where transparency and follow-through matter.
• You model professionalism, calm under pressure, and a solutions-oriented mindset.
• You embrace data-driven decision-making while maintaining a client-first perspective.
• You embody CalPrivate’s culture, heart for client, excellence in service, and deep commitment to the Bank and its people.
  
  

Physical Demands

• May require some travel in order to support clients, cultivate business development opportunities and meeting with prospects.
• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time.
• Ability to physically use a keyboard/mouse
• Ability to walk to and from workstations
• Ability to frequently lift and/or move up to 10lbs and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus
  
  

Why CalPrivate Bank?

This isn’t just another bank job. At CalPrivate Bank, you will be part of something bigger. Our day-to-day operations and projects don’t just impact a balance sheet, they influence real people, real businesses, and the communities we proudly serve. We are guided by our commitment to relationships, solutions, and trust. And we’re building a team of people who reflect those values in everything they do.

If you’re looking for a place where your work will matter, your ideas will be valued, and your growth will be supported, welcome to CalPrivate Bank! Ready to lead with purpose?