The Corporate Counsel serves as a trusted legal advisor to the Bank by providing practical, business-focused legal guidance across a broad range of banking, regulatory, and operational matters. This position partners with business leaders to identify legal risks, interpret applicable laws and regulations, and develop solutions that support the Bank's strategic objectives while maintaining regulatory compliance.

The Corporate Counsel manages a diverse portfolio of legal matters, including litigation support, subpoena response, contract review, banking operations, vendor agreements, and regulatory issues. This role works collaboratively across the organization and with outside counsel to protect the Bank's interests while enabling sound business decisions.

What You'll Do:

Litigation & Legal Process

• Support the management of litigation and coordinate activities with outside counsel.
• Assist with litigation strategy and legal risk assessments.
• Analyze and respond to legal correspondence, including attorney demand letters.
• Handle complex and sensitive subpoenas served on the Bank, including legal analysis, response strategy, objections and negotiations, and coordination of required documentation.
• Oversee outsourced legal service providers supporting subpoena administration.

Business & Regulatory Support

• Provide legal guidance related to banking operations, deposit accounts, payments, treasury management, lending, and other operational functions.
• Research legal and regulatory issues impacting products, services, and operations.
• Monitor legal and regulatory developments and communicate emerging trends and risks.

Contracts & Documentation

• Review, analyze and draft customer agreements, vendor contracts, NDAs, and other commercial agreements.
• Ensure that disclosures and other legal documents appropriately balance regulatory compliance and business objectives.

Risk & Governance

• Partner with Risk Management, Compliance, Information Security, Internal Audit, and business leaders to identify and mitigate risks.
• Assist with development and maintenance of policies and procedures.
• Provide counsel with respect to new products, digital banking initiatives, artificial intelligence, and privacy matters.

Process Improvement & Strategic Initiatives

• Identify opportunities to improve legal processes and operational efficiencies.
• Participate in cross-functional projects and strategic initiatives.

What it Takes:

Education

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Active license and in good standing to practice law in Indiana, Kentucky, or Ohio; if not licensed in Indiana, must have ability and willingness to become licensed in Indiana within two (2) years.

Experience

• Minimum five (5) years of progressively responsible legal experience.
• Experience in banking law, commercial litigation, financial services, or regulatory compliance.
• Experience advising business clients on complex legal matters.
• Litigation experience is preferred.

Knowledge Skills & Abilities

• Advanced legal research, analytical, and judgment capabilities.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective relationships within and across operational functions and business groups at all levels of the organization.
• Effective organizational, multi-tasking and prioritization skills, including ability to manage multiple projects concurrently.
• Ability to work effectively in a complex environment with a high degree of collaboration.
• Ability to effectively build relationships with leaders and team members in a geographically dispersed team environment.
• Ability to work independently during times of ambiguity and change.
• Experience working with changing priorities and deadlines.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.

What we can offer you:

• Medical, dental, vision, STD, LTD, Life insurance, etc.
• 25 days paid time off, 11 paid holidays and bereavement leave
• Educational assistance program
• Wellness benefits
• Life event coverage
• Paid parental bonding leave
• Service awards
• Financial benefits including 401(k) match, stock purchase plan and more
• National and local discounts on everything from computers and vacations to phones and retail shopping.
• Logo wear discounts
• Free checking account, checks and discounted bank services

About Us:

German American Bancorp and its family of financial services companies employ talented, compassionate people throughout the organization, truly making German American special. Delivering genuine, customized, personal service with a focus on truly serving customers and communities well, our employees bring the Shield of Excellence commitment to life with each and every interaction.