Legal Counsel (Commodities Markets)

Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking; Greater London; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking in the United Kingdom seeks an experienced senior specialist lawyer to provide strategic and transactional legal support for the Commodities Markets business.

You will advise on complex regulatory matters related to energy, metals, and related markets, and lead negotiations on structuring, documentation and risk management across energy activities, physical transactions and financing.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years' UK PQE in commodities markets.
• Experience in derivatives, physical trading, or structured financing.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management.

Responsibilities

• Senior lawyer involved in all stages of commodities transactions: structuring, analysis, negotiation, drafting and post-signing matters.
• Lead structuring and execution of complex derivatives, financing and physical trading transactions under ISDA and related docs.
• Negotiate and oversee trading docs including EFET agreements and bespoke confirmations.
• Draft and negotiate structured finance documents, repo agreements and internal analyses.
• Coordinate external counsel to ensure high-quality, cost-effective advice.

Skills

PQE 10+ years

Commodities experience

Contract negotiation & drafting

Regulatory compliance

Education

Qualified solicitor in the UK

Job description

To serve as an experienced, senior specialist lawyer providing strategic and transactional legal support for the Commodities Markets business.

Advising on complex legal and regulatory matters relating to commodities-linked financial derivatives, physical commodity trading and structured commodity financing across energy, metals and related markets.

Transactional Legal Support & Execution

• Act as a senior specialist lawyer involved in all stages of commodities transactions, including structuring, legal analysis, negotiation, drafting, signing and post-signing matters.
• Lead the legal structuring, negotiation and execution of complex derivatives (e.g under ISDA documentation), financing and physical trading transactions, delivering tailored, client-focused solutions while maintaining strong governance and risk discipline.
• Negotiate, draft and oversee key trading documentation, including EFET agreements, bespoke contractual arrangements and tailored confirmations.
• Draft, review and negotiate structured finance documentation, repo agreements and internal legal analyses.
• Manage and coordinate external counsel where appropriate to ensure high-quality and cost-effective legal advice.

Business Expansion & Product Innovation

• Partner closely with the business to support the development and expansion of gas, power and carbon capabilities in Europe.
• Advise on the legal, regulatory and licensing requirements associated with establishing, operating and scaling new energy activities.
• Support innovation across the Commodities platform by advising on novel transaction structures (e.g., battery storage contracts), balancing commercial objectives with evolving regulatory frameworks and market practices.
• Provide deep, specialised legal guidance across the following core areas:
• Energy Activities: Navigate energy-specific legal and regulatory considerations involving gas, power, carbon/emissions and specialised agreements such as battery storage contracts.
• Physical Transactions: Address legal issues surrounding physically settled transactions (predominantly gold, silver and base metals), resolving complex issues related to title transfer, logistics, sanctions and physical regulatory constraints.
• Commodities Financing: Structure and document sophisticated commodities financing arrangements, including repos, prepaid forwards and intermediation transactions.

Risk Management, Compliance, & Regulatory Advisory

• Proactively identify, assess and manage legal, regulatory and reputational risks affecting the Commodities business.
• Provide subject-matter expertise on applicable laws, regulations and industry standards, offering clear interpretation and practical guidance to facilitate informed, commercial decision-making.
• Monitor legal, regulatory and market developments relevant to infrastructure, energy and real assets financing activities.

Internal Collaboration, Stakeholder Management, & Training

• Collaborate effectively across key stakeholders (e.g. Commodities Markets, Risk, Compliance and other control and support functions), as well as with other offices.
• Provide clear, actionable legal contributions to internal committees, including credit risk and new product approval committees.
• Train and advise key internal stakeholders on legal aspects of commodities activities.
• Contribute to cross-functional projects within the Legal Department and broader business teams in alignment with regional priorities.

What we need from you

• Fully qualified lawyer with a minimum of 10 years' PQE within the UK.
• Significant experience in Commodities Markets activities gained in a leading law firm and/or in-house legal team, ideally within an investment bank or commodities-focused firm.
• Strong transactional background with deep experience advising on commodities derivatives, physical trading and/or structured commodity financing.
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and key stakeholders, strong interpersonal skills.
• Team oriented with the ability to respond and be flexible to client demands, whist adhering to firm policies and group practices.
• Ability to identify, assess and manage legal risks and elevate as required.
• Excellent communication skills (both written and oral), including the ability to explain complex legal issues clearly to senior internal stakeholders and non-lawyer audiences.
• Ability to prioritise effectively and operate under pressure.