Legal Counsel – Commercial

JR United Kingdom; Bedford; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the financial services sector is seeking a junior lawyer to join their commercial team. This role offers significant responsibilities including drafting and negotiating various legal agreements and assisting with M&A projects. Ideal candidates will be self-starters with strong communication skills and approximately 3+ years' PQE, eager to thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Approximately 3+ years PQE in financial services.
• Experience in compliance, intellectual property, structured products or derivatives is beneficial.
• Confident in tackling a wide range of legal issues.

Responsibilities

• Reviewing, drafting, and negotiating legal agreements.
• Providing general commercial advice and assisting in M&A activities.
• Collaborating with internal business stakeholders and management.

Skills

Commercial awareness

Strong communication skills

Ability to work under pressure

Client focus

Education

Qualified lawyer (English or Commonwealth)

Tools

Microsoft systems

Documentation management systems

Job description

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A junior lawyer within the commercial team. The team services the European, Middle East and APAC wholesale brokerage businesses of BGC, GFI, Aurel & Sunrise and the global FENICS technology businesses.

This role involves regular interaction with internal business stakeholders and management. There is a genuine global dimension to the remit as well as substantial autonomy, ownership and responsibility. The environment is fast paced with a demanding customer base therefore the role requires a person who is able to manage pressure and can commit and work to deadlines.

The contractual hours are 9 am to 6 pm but these are regarded as the minimum working hours.

For immediate start.

Key responsibilities:

A list of the main duties and expected outcomes of the role:

• Dealing with internal stakeholders/clients and external customers and/or service providers to ensure smooth delivery of legal documentation within an orderly time scale.
• Reviewing, drafting, negotiating a wide range of agreements and providing legal advice on associated business issues. Agreement types include:IB agreements, Terms of Business, brokerage rates agreements, commission sharing and netting agreements, confidentiality agreements, licenses, services agreements, technology contracts, intra group agreements, bank guarantees, engagement letters, clearing, custody and collateral agreements and marketing agreements and other agreements as required.
• General commercial advice.
• M&A – periodically assisting the Corporate team, including confidentiality, due diligence and document reviews.
• Projects – periodically being involved in new corporate projects, which may include new offices, internal reorganisations, joint ventures and advising on the implementation of regulatory changes.

Skills / experience required:

• English or Commonwealth qualified lawyer with approximately 3+ years PQE.
• Financial Services experience is key.
• Additional experience from one or more of the following areas would also be beneficial but not essential – compliance, intellectual property, structured products or derivatives.

Systems used:

Usual Microsoft and other systems.

Knowledge and experience of documentation management systems would be useful.

Personal attributes:

The department is always very lively and busy so the candidate should be able to deal with competing demands in a mature and sensible way as well as building a good rapport with stakeholders and colleagues.

Working effectively:

• Self-starter and capable of working independently with minimal supervision;
• Confident to tackle wide range of issues;
• Takes ownership of requirements/issues and ensures they are resolved to meet objectives with agreed timeframes; and
• Very organised, disciplined and responsive.

Client focus:

• Demonstrates an understanding of clients and their commercial needs.
• Ability to work closely with other departments in the front and back office.

Communications:

• Is able to liaise with and give guidance to the business and other departments in a concise, and effective manner;
• Shares knowledge/experience with team;
• Strong developed written and verbal communication skills; and

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