Theresa Duckett

About Theresa Duckett

Experienced in-house lawyer with a uniquely diverse background. Developed as a lawyer at…

Experience

1. Associate General Counsel & VP

   BMO U.S.

   Nov 2012 — Present · Chicago, IL, US

   I lead a cross-border team of attorneys that handles a diverse body of work. We represent a national US credit cards business as well as the North American commercial and corporate cards portfolio. We also support all of the commercial transactions for the Canadian retail banking operations. I\'m proud of our team, the work we do, and how we do it. Across the Board• Manage reputational risk, litigation, and complaints for our business• Provide the business with customer-centric counsel and advice• Join our business as a key stakeholder in strategic initiatives and planning• Advise on evolving legal areas in payments and financial services (cryptocurrency, data and privacy, payments platforms, cross-border payments, fintech partnerships)• Champion plain language draftingUS Credit Cards - Consumer and Small Business• Advise business on complex regulatory matters under applicable state and federal consumer credit and financial laws and regulations: TILA, FCRA, FDCPA, Reg Z, Reg B, SCRA, TCPA, E-SIGN – the whole alphabet soup• Support transactional needs of growing business• Legal review of marketing campaigns and customer communications• Develop effective playbooks, procedures, and policies Corporate & Commercial Card Programs• Draft corporate card agreements, financial addenda and contract modifications• Respond to requests for proposals and bids• Advise business on contractual obligations under existing agreementsThird-Party and Vendor Management• Represent business in management and negotiation of agreements with vendors and third-party service providers• Negotiate NDAs• Support business in escalation and dispute resolution processNational Pro Bono Coordinator• Lead national pro bono program for the U.S.• Develop and maintain relationships with law firms, legal aid agencies and public service organizations• Cultivate a pro bono culture that provides meaningful opportunities for volunteers and powerful impact for communities

Education

• Tulane University Law School

  JD

  1999 — 2002

• DePaul University

  BA, English

  1993 — 1997

Skills

• Product Liability
• Corporate Law
• Compliance
• Teaching Writing
• Document Review
• Environmental Auditing
• Commercial Litigation
• Regulatory Requirements
• Corporate Governance
• Trials
• Ground Transportation
• Bankruptcy
• Mentoring
• Environmental
• Environmental Compliance
• Regulatory Analysis
• Real Estate Transactions
• Wind Energy
• Legal Research
• Mediation
• M&a Due Diligence
• Debt Collection
• Due Diligence
• Legal Writing
• Litigation
• Alternative Energy
• Environmental Issues
• Corporate Transactions
• Alternative Dispute Resolution