Legal Counsel, Personal & Business Banking – BMO Financial Group

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Organising Institution / Firm

BMO Financial Group (Bank of Montreal)

Rolling Basis (Official)

CAD $80,000 – $175,000 per annum (salaried); may include performance-based incentives and discretionary bonuses

Degree in law (LLB or JD); licensed to practice law in relevant jurisdiction; less than 7 years of legal practice or equivalent combination of education and experience; experience in private practice, in-house, or at a regulatory body preferred; bilingual in French and English required to support operations outside Quebec

In-House Legal Counsel (Full time Job)

Full Opportunity Brief

Legal Counsel, Personal & Business Banking – BMO Financial Group

Contextual Overview

BMO Financial Group (Bank of Montreal) is recruiting a Legal Counsel for its Personal & Business Banking division, based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The role sits within BMO's in-house legal function and involves providing legal and regulatory advice on banking products, initiatives, strategies, and policies. The position operates across a geographic scope that may extend globally and requires the counsel to manage legal risk while supporting business objectives within the financial services sector.

Key Eligibility Criteria

- Degree in law (LLB or JD) and a valid licence to practice law in the relevant jurisdiction.
- Less than 7 years of legal practice, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience in private practice, in-house legal, or at a regulatory body relating to the regulation of business/group activities is preferred.
- Knowledge of the business and regulatory environment in which BMO Financial Group operates.




- Proficient knowledge of subject matter legal requirements and operations of a single client group.
- Bilingual (French and English) – required to support business operations outside the province of Quebec.
- In-depth skills in negotiation, verbal and written communication, collaboration, analytical problem-solving, and data-driven decision-making.

Responsibilities & Scope of Work

- Provide and manage delivery of legal and regulatory advice on products, initiatives, strategies, policies, and developments for BMO Financial Group.
- Deliver legal advice, instruct external counsel, and ensure compliance with internal policies and procedures.
- Act as subject matter expert on relevant laws, regulations, and policies.
- Identify emerging issues and trends to inform decision-making; exercise judgment on moderate to complex decisions within standard policies and regulatory requirements.
- Identify risks and implement appropriate mitigation actions.
- Build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Resolve daily issues and elevate with appropriate analysis and recommendations where required.
- Implement improvements to ensure consistency with marketplace developments.
- Geographic scope: up to global; primary focus on business/group within BMO with potential enterprise-wide accountability.
- Salary Range: CAD $80,000 – $175,000 per annum (salaried).
- Salaries vary based on location, skills, experience, education, and qualifications.
- Total compensation may include performance-based incentives and discretionary bonuses.
- Additional benefits include: health insurance, tuition reimbursement, accident and life insurance, and retirement savings plans.

📌 Legal Counsel, Personal & Business Banking – BMO Financial Group (Toronto)
🏢 Bmo Financial Group Bank Of Montreal
📍 Toronto