Counsel (Institutional Legal)

Coinbase; Greater Lincolnshire; On-site; GBP 129,000 - 144,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial services firm is seeking a Senior Counsel who will lead legal advice on innovative financial products, particularly in digital currency and derivatives. The ideal candidate will have at least 7 years of experience, demonstrating strong analytical skills and familiarity with UK and EU regulations. This role demands collaboration across teams and navigating complex regulatory landscapes. The compensation ranges from £129,240 to £143,600, along with additional benefits including bonus eligibility and equity options.

Benefits

Bonus eligibility

Equity eligibility

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Qualifications

• At least 7 years’ experience in financial services or law firm.
• Ability to provide nuanced legal advice amid regulatory ambiguity.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead projects for global derivatives and financing product launches.
• Provide structuring and regulatory advice on high-profile agreements.
• Drive cross-functional coordination with various departments.

Skills

Legal advice on novel issues

Experience with product teams

Regulatory knowledge (MiFID, EMIR)

Digital currency and blockchain interest

Analytical skills

Excellent judgment

Education

Qualified attorney in England and Wales

Job description

Senior Counsel (Institutional Legal)

Independent lead on project launches, product risk assessment, and cross‑functional alignment within a global, risk‑tolerant environment. Provide practical and actionable legal advice on novel issues, complex agreements, and regulatory challenges for derivatives, structured financing, and digital currency initiatives.

• Lead projects to launch cutting‑edge products for global derivatives and financing initiatives.
• Provide guidance on nuanced, novel legal issues and risks, complex agreement structures and company policies.
• Lead structuring and regulatory advice for bespoke high‑profile agreements with strategic partners and sophisticated counterparties in the finance, derivatives and digital currency space.
• Shape and advise on regulatory issues for digital currency, blockchain technology, derivatives, and leveraged transactions in the UK, EU, Middle East, and elsewhere.
• Drive cross‑functional coordination with Institutional Sales, Business Development, Product/Engineering, Finance/Tax, and Compliance.
• Apply solutions‑oriented approaches to business problems, develop strategies to address risk, and build commercial processes to enable rapid market execution.
• Anticipate future steps and guide transactional and product roadmaps.
• Serve as a key business partner, maintaining commercial perspective while providing legal expertise.

Depending on your location, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) may govern the handling of applicants’ data.

Qualifications

• Qualified attorney in England and Wales with at least 7 years’ experience in a financial services institution or law firm supporting such clients.
• Interest and experience with digital currency and blockchain technology.
• Experience working with product teams launching financial services or investment products.
• Experience leading and working with cross‑functional, globally located teams.
• Expertise with UK and EU regulatory regimes applicable to derivatives and financial instruments (MiFID, EMIR) and familiarity with crypto asset regulations (MiCA).
• Track record of challenging the status quo and preconceived notions.
• Confidence and nuance providing advice on novel products amid regulatory ambiguity.
• Excellent judgement, analytical rigor, clear and direct written and oral communication, and business pragmatism.
• Top‑notch analytical skills with experience owning projects from concept to finish.
• Creativity and experience with solutions that scale financial services and technology solutions.
• Sound and practical business judgement.
• Intellectual curiosity and flexibility; hunger to learn and expand skill sets.
• Team‑oriented and collaborative.

Nice to Haves

• Experience leading critical authorisation and licence applications for derivatives or similar highly‑regulated products in major jurisdictions.
• Experience analysing the regulatory status of crypto assets and determining if they qualify as regulated financial instruments.
• Experience advising on cross‑border licensing requirements, safe‑harbours and creating client classification procedures mapped to regulatory requirements.
• Strong negotiation skills and ability to independently review and negotiate complex and novel financial agreements.

Compensation and Benefits

Pay Transparency Notice: Target annual base salary for this position ranges from £129,240 GBP to £143,600 GBP. Full‑time offers include bonus eligibility, equity eligibility and benefits (medical, dental, vision).

Commitment to Equal Opportunity.