General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

Address We’re always looking for bright individuals to join our growing organization.
As a part of the First Financial Family, we will invest in your development and provide a dynamic work environment where you’re challenged, valued and empowered every day.
We strive to be the best destination for the industry’s top talent, creating a diverse, collaborative workplace that celebrates innovation and change.
We are one team, working together to get things done.
Job Description: OFFICE LOCATION: Abilene, Texas, United States SCOPE & CONTACT: First Financial Bankshares, Inc.
(NASDAQ: FFIN) is seeking an experienced, motivated, and innovative General Counsel and Corporate Secretary to join our executive team.
This position is a full time in-office role located at First Financial’s headquarters in Abilene, Texas.
First Financial is a thriving financial holding company with over $13 billion in assets providing full-service banking, fiduciary and wealth management services through its wholly owned subsidiaries First Financial Bank (79 banking locations in Texas) and First Financial Trust & Asset Management Company (9 locations in Texas).
Also affiliated with First Financial is First Technology Services, Inc.
, a technology support, and operating company.
This is a unique opportunity to become a key part of a highly successful team.
First Financial has repeatedly been recognized as one of the top seven financial institutions in the U.
S.
by Bank Director magazine and First Financial Bank has been recognized by Newsweek and Forbes as one of the best banks in Texas.
We are seeking an executive committed to and enthusiastic about building on our success.
The successful candidate will be First Financial’s first in-house General Counsel and will be responsible for bringing key legal compliance, advisory and strategic functions into the executive team.
The General Counsel will provide advice and strategic direction on a wide variety of legal matters, including regulatory compliance, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance and ethics, enterprise risk management, real estate, employment, contract review and negotiations, and oversight of state and federal litigation.
The General Counsel will direct and supervise all legal services provided to First Financial by outside counsel and will advise the executive team and Board of Directors on strategies to protect and benefit the organization and ensure legal compliance.
The General Counsel will also serve as Corporate Secretary for First Financial Bankshares and First Financial Bank and will oversee the preparation of First Financial’s regulatory filings.
The General Counsel will report directly to First Financial’s CEO, will work closely with all members of the executive team, and will frequently interact with the Board of Directors.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: The General Counsel will be a trusted advisor to senior management and must have a strong ability to coordinate and communicate with all levels of leadership.
The General Counsel will ensure legal compliance and will offer proactive thinking and strategy on legal matters.
· Provide sound legal advice and support to First Financial leadership.
· Assist in ensuring compliance with applicable Texas and federal laws and regulations.
· Draft and negotiate legal documents such as contracts, transactions, and other corporate agreements.
· Assist with drafting, implementing, updating, and enforcing policies and procedures to assure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and investor requirements.
· Proactively identify current and emerging legal risks and issues impacting the organization.
Develop strategies to mitigate risks and promote the organization’s growth and success.
· Maintain current knowledge of emerging industry developments and make corresponding recommendations to senior management.
· Manage and oversee the resolution of legal disputes, regulatory matters, and litigation.
· Provide advice and counsel on business opportunities and transactions, including merger and acquisition opportunities.
· Oversee legal work in connection with mergers and acquisitions.
· Advise senior management regarding the legal ramifications of business strategies.
· Participate in management and Board committees, provide advice on corporate governance matters and maintain appropriate corporate records.
· Enthusiastically support First Financial’s culture and values (Mission, Vision, 21 Non-Negotiables, Customer Service First program, etc.
) · Proactively seek opportunities to bring value and innovation to First Financial.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: • J.
D.
from accredited law school.
Membership in the State Bar of Texas required.
• A minimum of ten years of relevant law practice experience.
• In-house bank counsel experience preferred, but relevant experience in private practice or with a government regulator is acceptable.
• Demonstrated knowledge of state and federal banking and financial services related statutes and regulations (e.
g.
, Dodd Frank, GLBA, TILA, RESPA, FDCPA, FCRA, Reg E, NACHA Rules, ESIGN, etc.
) • Excellent verbal, written, analytical and negotiation skills.
• Proven ability to work effectively and interact with others.
• Proven ability to lead in a complex environment.
• Strong work ethic and commitment to teamwork and collaboration.
• Pragmatic and strategic thinker with the ability to anticipate repercussions and risks associated with business decisions.
• Strong organizational skills: ability to handle fast paced work and competing demands.
• Experience handling mergers, acquisitions, and other corporate transactions.
• Experience advising public companies and working with public company boards.
• Commitment to diversity and inclusion.
• Trustworthiness; good judgment and discretion.
The above statements reflect the general details considered necessary to decide the principal functions of the job identified and shall not be construed as a detailed description of all work requirements that may be inherent in the job.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant.
However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.
41 CFR 60-1.
35(c)