Legal Officer

Responsibilities:

Legal Advisory:

• Provide legal guidance on mortgage banking operations, including loan agreements, property documentation, and regulatory compliance.
• Advise management on legal implications of various business activities and decisions.
• Interpret and ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and guidelines governing mortgage banking.

Document Drafting and Review:

• Draft, review, and negotiate legal documents such as mortgage agreements, loan contracts, lease agreements, and service-level agreements.
• Ensure accuracy, legality, and compliance in all contractual obligations.

Regulatory Compliance:

• Monitor and ensure compliance with local, state, and federal mortgage banking laws and regulations.
• Liaise with regulatory bodies to stay updated on changes in laws or compliance requirements.
• Prepare and submit regulatory reports and filings as required.

Risk Management:

• Identify potential legal risks and develop strategies to mitigate them.
• Handle legal disputes, including litigation, arbitration, or mediation related to mortgage transactions.
• Maintain a database of legal precedents and ensure adherence to best practices.

Contract and Property Management:

• Oversee the verification and registration of property documents to ensure the security of the bank's mortgage portfolio.
• Manage legal due diligence for property acquisitions and mortgage-backed securities.

Policy Development:

• Assist in drafting and reviewing internal policies and procedures to ensure legal and regulatory compliance.
• Conduct training sessions for staff on legal and compliance matters.

Collaboration and Communication:

• Work closely with other departments, including Credit, Risk, and Operations, to ensure seamless legal support for mortgage activities.
• Act as the primary point of contact for external counsel, notaries, and other legal service providers.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Law (LLB). A master’s degree in law (LLM) or a specialization in banking/finance law is an added advantage.
• Post-bar experience
• Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in a legal role, preferably within the mortgage banking or financial services sector.
• Strong knowledge of mortgage banking laws, real estate law, and financial regulations.
• Excellent drafting, negotiation, and analytical skills.
• Proficiency in managing legal databases and regulatory reporting tools.
• High attention to detail and the ability to handle multiple tasks effectively.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills for stakeholder engagement.
• Timely and accurate drafting of legal documents.
• Effective mitigation of legal and compliance risks.
• Compliance with all regulatory requirements and deadlines.
• Positive resolution of legal disputes.
• Quality of collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.

Location: Lagos