Vacancy: Legal Officer (Mortgage Bank)
Department: Legal/Compliance
Location: Lagos
Job Overview
The Legal Officer will be responsible for providing legal support ensuring regulatory compliance and mitigating risks associated with the banks mortgage operations. The role involves drafting reviewing and managing legal documents advising on legal and compliance matters and ensuring the bank adheres to all applicable laws and regulations. This position plays a critical role in safeguarding the bank s interests and maintaining its compliance with legal standards.
Key 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 servicelevel 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 banks mortgage portfolio.
- Manage legal due diligence for property acquisitions and mortgagebacked 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.
Qualifications and Skills
Educational 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.
- Postbar experience
Experience:
- Minimum of 3 5 years of experience in a legal role preferably within the mortgage banking or financial services sector.
Skills and Competencies:
- 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.
Application
Interested and qualified applicants should send their CVs to using LIFTMB as subject