Senior Counsel - Debt Capital Markets

WELLS FARGO BANK; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A major financial institution in the City of Westminster is seeking a qualified attorney to lead legal initiatives and provide guidance on risk management and regulatory compliance. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in securities law and document negotiation, working with business units to address complex legal challenges. Strong drafting, communication skills, and a collaborative approach are essential. This role emphasizes effective risk identification and compliance within the legal framework of the investment banking landscape.

Qualifications

• Experience in Law, either through work or education.
• Experience as a practicing attorney in a major financial institution.
• Experience working with DCM desks at a global investment bank.

Responsibilities

• Lead initiatives and guide internal clients on legal risk.
• Draft and negotiate legal documents with outside counsel.
• Advise on pre-transaction structuring in debt capital markets.

Skills

Legal risk assessment

Securities laws knowledge

Complex document negotiation

Cross-border regulatory advice

Business judgment

Excellent communication skills

Education

J.D. or equivalent legal experience

Job description

• Lead or participate in moderately complex initiatives and deliverables and contribute to large-scale planning
• Review and analyze moderately complex challenges that require an in-depth evaluation of variable factors
• Provide guidance to internal clients on legal matters to assist with legal risk assessment, planning and policy decisions, claims against the Company, probability of loss, and develop cost-effective risk mitigation strategies
• Draft complex legal documents, review and negotiate documents prepared by outside counsel
• Independently resolve moderately complex issues and lead team to meet deliverables
• Identify and analyze complex legal issues, develop conclusions, and make recommendations for issue resolution
• Develop the strategic direction for certain claims functions and management of related policies, procedures, and controls to mitigate risk
• Educate, train, and supervise less experienced attorneys within the Legal Department
• Collaborate with peers, colleagues, and mid-level managers to resolve issues and achieve goals
• Lead projects, teams, or serve as a mentor for less experienced staff
• Work directly with business clients and develop an in-depth understanding of business unit activities and products
• Partner with business leaders and management of other corporate departments to develop and implement risk management programs
• Develop relationships with and provide guidance to more experienced leadership, including executive officers, on issues that may present legal, regulatory, compliance, or reputational risk to the Company
• Partner with business leaders and management of other corporate departments to develop and implement risk management programs
• Provide local law advice and counsel on cross-border transactional and regulatory issues
• Provide advice on pre-transaction structuring and transactional support on debt capital markets transactions and lending transactions
• Advise on regulations in various EMEA jurisdictions affecting the investment banking and capital markets line of business, in particular on the ability to market, solicit and conduct business in such EMEA jurisdictions, working with Compliance Department and Cross-Border legal teams as appropriate
• Communicate regularly and coordinate with Head Office and other regional and global Legal Department colleagues, in particular adhering to policies and procedures in retaining and managing external counsel relationships and related legal expenses, particularly on transactions
• Consult with and advise clients and represent Wells Fargo in dealing with others inside and outside the organization, as appropriate
• Update Legal Department and line of business colleagues on EMEA legal developments and their impact on Wells Fargo's businesses in the EMEA region and identify impacts to the global business, Employees support our focus on building strong customer relationships balanced with a strong risk mitigating and compliance-driven culture which firmly establishes those disciplines as critical to the success of our customers and company. They are accountable for execution of all applicable risk programs (Credit, Market, Financial Crimes, Operational, Regulatory Compliance), which includes effectively following and adhering to applicable Wells Fargo policies and procedures, appropriately fulfilling risk and compliance obligations, timely and effective escalation and remediation of issues, and making sound risk decisions. There is emphasis on proactive monitoring, governance, risk identification and escalation, as well as making sound risk decisions commensurate with the business unit's risk appetite and all risk and compliance program requirements.
• Experience in Law, or equivalent demonstrated through one or a combination of the following: work experience, training, military experience, education, Experience as a practicing attorney at a law firm and/or in-house at a major financial institution
• Experience working with or advising DCM desks at a global investment bank.
• Experience with securities laws and regulations and market practice relevant for cross-border and international debt offerings, lending transactions and related transactions and jurisdiction-specific requirements and securities regulations
• Basic familiarity with U.S. securities laws and regulations
• Familiarity with lending documentation, including LMA or LSTA standard forms
• Strong business judgment and commercial approach
• Excellent drafting, negotiation, communication and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across teams and timezones and manage multiple priorities
• Ability to focus on both detail and big-picture issues
• Wells Fargo requires you to directly represent your own experiences during the recruiting and hiring process.