In a changing world, unprecedented challenges require unmatched talent. Join one of Montreal's Top Employers in 2025. We are a dynamic and growing organization having its main establishment located in downtown Montreal and part of a leading international banking institution fully committed to building a more sustainable future. Note that the position may be in the Canadian Branch of BNP Paribas or in one of its subsidiaries based in Montreal.
The LEGAL Department, the Program and the position at a glance
BNP LEGAL group comprises legal counsels from all over the world, with various skills, who are responsible for the effective management of the Group’s legal risks, thereby ensuring the Group’s activities are conducted in a legally secure manner, all whilst respecting the highest level of excellence and integrity.
LEGAL’s key figures :
- Over 1700 employees
- Based in approximately 50 different countries
- Speaking over 60 different languages
- Working for at least 40 different businesses
Legal Early-Career Program overview:
The candidate will be part of a class of recently graduated lawyers, whose profiles are diverse and endowed with multiple skills. The candidate will join an 18-month intensive learning program of three rotations in various environments within BNP Paribas LEGAL, the legal department of the Group. The candidate’s journey through different entities of the legal department will be built according to the Legal Early-Career Program profile to provide the candidate with an experience that will enhance his/her skills. Fully integrated into the various LEGAL environments, the candidate will contribute to legal activities and participate in its strategic projects.
The Legal Early-Career Program is offered to candidates with up to two years of professional experience from the date of graduation following a full course of study.
The course of the program:
- The first rotation is carried out in the entity that the candidate will join permanently at the end of the Legal Early-Career Program.
- The second or third rotation is planned abroad to allow the candidate to discover the international dimension of the Group.
- The last rotation will complete the candidate's experience in a legal entity whose missions are meaningful for his/ her career path.
The candidate will complete the Program by joining the LEGAL first entity.
He/she will have 18 months to discover LEGAL’s different entities and how they each provide legal advice within the first European bank. What will the candidate benefit from by joining us:
- A Permanent Term Contract.
- A cross-functional learning experience, a springboard, and a career accelerator.
- A proposal for continuous skills development.
- Networking opportunities.
- Personalized and enhanced HR support.
- A working environment conducive to exchanges and sharing.
- A defined career path.
First rotation and the final long-term role (after all rotations are finalized) Overview:
The LEGAL Department's CIB Global Banking Americas (GBA) team (GBA LEGAL) provides legal support and advice on a broad range of banking and trade finance business lines across the United States, Canada and LATAM and so covers a wide variety of work, from structured, secured and syndicated lending (Corporate Lending, Acquisition Finance, Energy, Resources & Project Finance, Export Finance, Fund Finance, Loan Syndication, Media & Telecom Finance, Supply Chain Finance, Trade Finance, Cash Management and Transportation Finance) to BNPP CIB businesses and functions (Compliance, Agency and Risk) as well as support to global counterparts on all banking related matters worldwide. The GBA LEGAL team in the US, Canada and LATAM also handles debt recovery, insolvency and restructuring work for the Value Preservation Group. The GBA LEGAL team reports hierarchically to the Americas General Counsel.
The GBA LEGAL team is also part of a global team of financing attorneys: the Financing LEGAL Platform. The Financing LEGAL Platform is an organization within LEGAL, comprising over 200 legal professionals across 42 jurisdictions, providing legal support to business lines throughout the BNP Paribas Group in relation to lending to large corporate and institutional clients, private equity clients and their associated entities, trade finance and receivables and payables products and corporate finance advisory activities.
In detail
He/she is responsible for the following activities for the first rotation and the final long-term role (after all rotations are finalized):
- Review, advise, draft and assist management, business, Risk and other stakeholders in AMER and worldwide in the structuring, drafting and negotiation of legal documentation relating to financing transactions with a specific focus on new technologies and their impact on financing transactions (blockchain, tokens etc.), (the “Products”).
- Together with the other team members contribute to the development, maintenance and communication of internal templates, policies and procedures, know-how, legal updates, legal topic presentations and training to business, Risk and Legal colleagues.
- Monitor industry and market practices through professional organizations, such as ABA, LSTA and ICC.
- Share expertise across the multiple Financing activities and products and participate actively in Financing LEGAL Platform initiatives, including identifying and implementing process improvement initiatives and best practices, promoting consistency across teams and contributing to training, preparation of know-how and the rollout of knowledge management initiatives for the sharing of expertise across the Financing LEGAL Platform.
- Assist the Head of Legal Americas Financing with respect to Financing related projects, as the case may be.
Missions for the remainders of the rotations:
He/she will be working in one of our many legal fields for the products and activities of that field. The candidate will provide legal advice for internal clients in the Bank to best support the Group's strategy.
Examples of the relevant tasks:
- Provide legal advice and consultations tailored to clients' needs.
- Draft or participate in drafting specific legal documents.
- Define, in consultation with clients, the legal strategy to be adopted.
- Identify, raise, and escalate legal risks.
- Lead or participate in cross-functional projects.
- Monitor market and regulatory developments.
Staff supervision/ Organizational Structure: for the first rotation and the end role (once all rotations have taken place): The candidate will be reporting into the Head of LEGAL Canada locally and to the Head of Global Banking Americas hierarchically.
Work conditions: This position provides for standard working conditions in an office and a normal work schedule from Monday to Friday. This position requires travel when in a specific rotation.
The strengths and skills that will help you succeed
- Bachelor’s degree in law with Canadian bar admission as a minimum.
- Maximum 2 years of top tier law firm, financial institution or corporate legal department experience advising on banking law matters
- Valid passport during the program.
- Knowledge of French and English is required. *
- Good oral and written communication skills
- Contract drafting experience in English and in French.
- Collaboration, Analytical, Communication and Adaptability
- *Given the vast majority of our clients, both internal and external, are based outside of Quebec and Canada, specific language requirements may apply. Professional working proficiency in French and English languages are required.
What’s in it for you
In addition to competitive compensation, we offer flexible benefits including a family and spouse insurance program, a defined contribution pension plan and paid days for volunteering. Hybrid work arrangements are available for most positions. In-office presence is required a minimum of 3 days per week, one of which must be on a Monday and/or a Friday. BNP Paribas provides excellent training and personal development programs, as well as opportunities for career development within the company and internationally.
To find out more about our range of benefits, click here
What you need to know
- We will review candidates as they apply, so don’t wait to submit your application;
- BNP Paribas is committed to accessibility and inclusion. During the recruitment process, accommodation needs are available at all times for candidates. You will have the chance to make a request for an accommodation during your application.
- You must be legally eligible to work in the Greater Montreal area and, if applicable, hold a valid work or study permit. Physical presence in BNP Paribas’ office(s) is an essential function of this position;
- If you are applying and accepted to a position which requires working in/for the U.S. securities industry, you will be required to provide your fingerprints and undergo additional background checks by the FBI. BNP Paribas Securities Corporation is required to maintain a supervisory program over the conduct of its Associated Persons; some of your personal data will be transmitted to the United States of America and made available to US regulators. Please reach out to BNPP for additional information; or you can also find an overview here: 3110. Supervision FINRA.org
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) at the heart of our commitments
At BNP Paribas all employees are on an equal footing allowing us to create a work environment that values and respects people for their talents, skills and competences.
BNP Paribas recruits, employs, trains, compensates and promotes regardless of race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, disability, age, and other protected status (Employment Equity Act and Canadian Human Right Act).
To learn more about our DE&I commitments, click here
About us
BNP Paribas is the top bank in the European Union and a major international banking establishment. Present in 63 countries, with more than 180,000 employees, the bank holds key positions in several areas of banking and financial services.
BNP Paribas’ mission is to contribute to a responsible and sustainable economy by financing and advising its clients according to the highest ethical standards, while striving to respond to essential concerns in terms of the environment, regional development and social inclusion.
Since 1961, BNP Paribas has supported large Canadian companies and institutions in their business development by offering a full range of specialized financial services and investment products.
With over 1,400 employees, BNP Paribas in Canada continues to attract experts from diverse fields as well as ambitious young talent from around the world. We are proud to offer our employees a rewarding and international workplace where they can build their professional careers by honing their skills, meeting challenges and enriching their knowledge of the financial industry.
Our certifications and partnerships
- Montreal’s Top Employers 2025
- Canada’s Best Diversity Employers 2025
- Women in Governance – Parity certified - Platinum certification
- Pride at Work Canada
- Part of Les Affaires top 300 companies in Quebec
- Synclusiv
- Ready, Willing and Able
- Autisme sans Limites
- LinkedIn Top Companies 2024
Do you want to discover other BNP Paribas offers in Canada?
Click here: BNP Paribas in Canada Our job offers
*** While the description above describes our ideal candidate, we encourage applicants to apply even if they do not fully meet the complete list of qualifications noted***
