Senior Paralegal

Job description

Come work with us:

Metropolitan Commercial Bank (the “Bank”) is a full-service commercial bank based in New York City. The Bank provides a broad range of business, commercial, and personal banking products and services to individuals, small businesses, private and public middle-market and corporate enterprises and institutions, municipalities, and local government entities.

Metropolitan Commercial Bank was named one of Newsweek’s Best Regional Banks and Credit Unions 2024. The Bank was ranked by Independent Community Bankers of America among the top ten successful loan producers for 2023 by loan category and asset size for commercial banks with more than $1 billion in assets. Kroll affirmed a BBB+ (investment grade) deposit rating on January 25, 2024. For the fourth time, MCB has earned a place in the Piper Sandler Bank Sm-All Stars Class of 2024.

Metropolitan Commercial Bank operates banking centers and private client offices in Manhattan, Boro Park, Brooklyn and Great Neck on Long Island in New York State.

The Bank is a New York State chartered commercial bank, a member of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and an equal housing lender. The parent company of Metropolitan Commercial Bank is Metropolitan Bank Holding Corp. (NYSE: MCB).

Position Summary:

Under the supervision of Associate Legal Counsel - Litigation, the Senior Paralegal - Legal Service of Process and Discovery is responsible for managing the intake, tracking and resolution of legal documents served to the bank, including subpoenas, levies, garnishments, discovery-related tasks and other court orders. This position requires a highly skilled and detail-oriented professional with a strong understanding of legal procedures and the ability to efficiently handle a high volume of complex deadline-oriented legal documents. The Senior Paralegal will also lead efforts to reinforce the existing team and processes to maximize efficiency, transparency and workflow accountability. The Senior Paralegal leads efforts including but not limited to coordinating with governmental proponents of process, responding to subpoena requests, drafting written correspondence, and preserving records and other evidence. The position requires a demonstrated mastery of legal process, document management systems and research, and organizational skills. This position will report to the Associate Legal Counsel and will also work closely with the General Counsel, and other Legal Department attorneys. The Senior Paralegal is expected to interface regularly with various lines of business and support functions to collect, review and produce discoverable information, in compliance with the Federal and State Rules of Civil and Criminal Procedure, as well as the Federal Right to Financial Privacy.

We have a flexible work schedule where employees can work from home one day a week.

Essential duties and responsibilities:

Legal Process:

• Review and prioritize incoming Service of Process items
• Working closely with Legal Counsel, lead the intake and workflows efficiently.
• Review and revise standardized procedures for intake, tracking and resolution.
• Provide training materials and/or job aids for bankers.

Com munication and Coordination:

• Serve as a liaison between Legal, internal departments, and external parties (e.g., law enforcement, attorneys, government agencies).
• Respond to inquiries professionally and ensure sensitive information is handled appropriately.
• Escalate issues and high-risk matters to Legal Counsel and/or General Counsel.

Compliance and Best Practices:

• Maintain detailed records of all legal requests and actions taken for audit and regulatory purposes.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws, including privacy and banking regulations.
• Support internal and external audits related to legal process handling.
• Stay current on relevant laws, regulations, and industry best practices related to service of process.
• Assist in the development of internal policies, procedures and related working documents to support and ensure alignment with the Bank’s compliance and risk management policies.
• Contribute to process improvement efforts which will implement, update and enhance existing business or work processes, improve efficiency and management of regulatory compliance.
• Other duties as determined by the General Counsel.

Legal Support, Document Tracking and Management:

• Upload all legal requests to the designated platform used to manage such matters.
• Ensure entries are accurate and reflect the current status of each matter, maintaining real-time accuracy.
• Manage legal process platform functionality, monitor performance, and troubleshoot issues.
• Liaise with the platform vendor to resolve technical problems, implement updates, and support system enhancements.
• Coordinate and manage production of documents with in-house, outside counsel and proponents of third party process, including law enforcement and other governmental officials.

Required knowledge, skills and experience:

• Proven exemplary administrative skills are required.
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills required.
• Strong teamwork, interpersonal skills, and ability to communicate well across all levels.
• A self-starter with ability to prioritize workflow to ensure deadlines are met and ability to function efficiently under pressure, strong project management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to adhere to deadlines.

Preferred knowledge, skills and experience:

• Strong interpersonal, analytical and organizational skills.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and on a team in a fast-paced environment under strict deadlines.
• Effectively manage multiple responsibilities and coordinate several activities at once.
• Able to reprioritize dynamically, and grow skill set to meet evolving business needs.
• Strong research skills.
• Proficiency in using Excel, e-discovery platforms, Safari SOP or similar legal process management system.
• Familiarity with online document management systems.
• Excellent document management skills with attention to detail and accuracy.

Potential Salary: $115,000 - $135,000 annually

This salary range reflects base wages and does not include benefits, bonus, or incentive pay. Salary bands are purposefully wide ranging to encompass the different factors considered in determining where a candidate falls in the range, including but not limited to, seniority, performance, experience, education, and any other legitimate, non-discriminatory factor permitted by law. Final offer amounts are determined by multiple factors including candidate experience and expertise and may vary from the amounts listed here.

Metropolitan Commercial Bank provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

This applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.