Valley National Bancorp hires new general counsel

Ronald Janis

Valley National Bancorp and its wholly owned subsidiary Valley National Bank have appointed Ronald Janis as general counsel.

Janis started with the company January 3 and reports to chairman, president and CEO Gerald Lipkin. He replaces former general counsel Lucinda Long, who has retired, a spokesperson says.

Janis previously served as a partner with law firm Day Pitney, during which time he represented Valley. ‘While we will miss Ron tremendously, we look forward to continue working with him as a client,’ Day Pitney managing partner Stanley Twardy tells Corporate Secretary.

Wayne, New Jersey-based Valley National Bancorp has more than $22 billion in assets, according to the company. Its principal subsidiary, Valley National Bank, operates 209 branches in northern and central New Jersey and the New York City boroughs of Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens, as well as Long Island and Florida.

As general counsel, Janis is responsible for advising the bank’s senior management on issues including acquisitions, federal securities law, regulatory matters and corporate governance.

‘[Ronald] is a highly accomplished legal executive who has been instrumental in counseling a number of high-profile financial institutions and public companies in other industries,’ Lipkin says in a statement on the new hire. ‘His vast experience in managing complex legal banking matters makes him the ideal candidate to fill this role and support Valley’s strategic growth in the years to come.’