General Counsel

Company Overview:

Peapack Private Bank & Trust is a well-recognized, high-performing boutique bank; a leader in wealth, lending and deposit solutions, capable of providing the most sought-after products and services that fulfill all our clients' needs. We offer an innovative approach to private banking to help clients establish, maintain and expand their legacy.

Position Summary:

We are seeking a strategic, experienced, and business-savvy General Counsel to lead and manage all legal affairs of a dynamic and growing financial institution. As the bank positions itself to exceed $10 billion in AUM, the General Counsel will play a critical role in ensuring legal and regulatory compliance, managing risk, and supporting strategic initiatives including potential acquisitions, capital markets activity, and corporate governance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Legal Strategy & Leadership




• Serve as the chief legal advisor to the CEO, Board of Directors, and executive leadership.
• Develop and implement legal strategies aligned with the bank's growth objectives and risk appetite.
• Cultivate and lead a high-performing in-house legal team.

• Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management




• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal and state banking laws and regulations (e.g., OCC, FDIC, FRB, CFPB).
• Oversee enterprise risk management from a legal perspective, including data privacy, cybersecurity, and ESG compliance.
• Liaise with regulators and manage regulatory examinations and audits.




• Corporate Governance




• Advise the Board and its committees on governance best practices.
• Draft and maintain corporate governance documents, including bylaws, charters, and policies.
• Support Nominating Committee, board meetings, including preparation of materials and minutes.




• Transactional & Commercial Support




• Oversee legal aspects of strategic transactions, including lift outs, acquisitions, and capital raises.
• Review, draft, and negotiate complex contracts, vendor agreements, and customer-facing documents.
• Support new product development and market expansion initiatives.




• Litigation & Dispute Resolution




• Manage all litigation, arbitration, and dispute resolution matters.
• Coordinate with and supervise outside counsel as needed.

Qualifications:

• J.D. from an accredited law school; licensed to practice law in the U.S.
• Minimum 10-15 years of legal experience, with at least 5-10 years in a senior legal role within a banking institution.
• Deep knowledge of banking regulations, securities law, and corporate governance.
• Experience supporting a company through significant growth, ideally past the $10B AUM threshold.
• Proven ability to lead legal teams and work cross-functionally with business leaders.
• Strong judgment, integrity, and ability to operate in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.

Preferred Attributes:

• Experience with public company reporting and securities compliance (e.g., SEC filings).