Alumni Q&A: Where Are They Now? Eric Castillo, New York Alumnus

Eric Castillo, a former associate in Sidley’s New York Office, is currently a Director and Senior Counsel at BNP Paribas covering the Global Markets Structured Products business.

What do you enjoy most about your work at BNP Paribas?

I enjoy working for a company where CSR and Sustainability is not just one of its core values, but a central part of its business objectives. In my current role, I enjoy working with all areas of the Bank to help build a growing structured products business in the U.S. and have focused on new digital platforms as a way for the business to interact with clients. I also enjoy advising the Bank on the purchase and sale of green bonds where the proceeds are used to finance projects that support the transition to clean energy.

What is your proudest achievement in your job?

My proudest achievement at BNP Paribas is participating in the Bank’s pro bono program, including serving as a volunteer lawyer in New York City Family Court. Through the Bank’s many pro bono programs, I can continue the important role of legal service which I learned at Sidley. Another achievement is helping to bring Diversity & Inclusion training to the Legal Department, and working internally to look more closely at the D&I progress in our valued law firm relationships.

What skills or experience at Sidley helped prepared you for your current role?

The training at Sidley reinforced my understanding that details and careful drafting matter every day when working on routine transactions. In addition, I believe the ability to promote ideas, be an independent thinker, and the capacity to have courage are skills from Sidley that have been important in my role advising the business as internal counsel.

How do you stay connected to Sidley?

Thanks to the valuable relationships between Sidley and their clients, I was able to join BNP Paribas in 2010. I am fortunate to continue to work with Sidley’s New York Tax group regularly on the Bank’s structured products programs. My team also relies on Sidley’s advice for occasional securities law issues. By coincidence, the NY offices of BNP Paribas and Sidley are both located at 787 Seventh Avenue, so I also enjoy seeing former colleagues from time to time. I have also found it very helpful to stay connected to Sidley alumni who are now at other financial institutions in New York and elsewhere.

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