Legal Counsel

MKS PAMP; Hong Kong; Hybrid; HKD 900,000 - 1,600,000; Full time

Job summary

MKS PAMP is seeking a Legal Counsel in Hong Kong to support the HK entity’s legal needs, managing contracts and regulatory compliance across sales, treasury and operations. You will draft and negotiate a broad range of agreements, ensure anti-money laundering and data protection compliance, and collaborate with the in‑house Legal team.

You will advise business teams on risk, maintain contract templates and oversee external counsel in HK/PRC, contributing to corporate governance and process

Qualifications

• Law degree and HK solicitor qualification or equivalent common-law status.
• 5+ years post-qualification experience drafting and negotiating commercial contracts.
• Experience with ISDA framework, letters of credit and trade finance.
• Experience drafting contracts under English or other common-law jurisdictions.
• Proficiency in English and Chinese; Cantonese is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review and negotiate commercial contracts for the HK entity, including ISDA and trade finance docs.
• Provide practical legal advice aligned with regulatory requirements in HK and cross-border contexts.
• Maintain and improve contract templates; coordinate with internal teams and Legal.
• Ensure regulatory compliance, AML/CTF, sanctions, data protection for HK entity.
• Support corporate governance, board/shareholder resolutions and signing authorities.
• Instruct external counsel in HK/PRC and handle disputes or regulatory inquiries.
• Oversee contract management processes and archiving.

Skills

Contract drafting

Negotiation

Regulatory awareness

Cross-border contracting

Analytical thinking

Communication

Education

Law degree (LL.B./J.D.)

Qualified to practice in Hong Kong (solicitor)

LL.M. or additional qualifications an advantage

Tools

Contract management

Job description

MISSION

We are looking for a motivated Legal Counsel to join our team in Hong Kong, the Asia-Pacific regional headquarters of MKS PAMP and one of the Group’s three global trading hubs. The role covers the legal needs of the Hong Kong entity, whose core functions include regional sales and client relationship management, precious metals trading, treasury activities and operational support.

The ideal candidate will provide practical and business-oriented legal support across all activities of the Hong Kong entity, ensuring that commercial agreements effectively balance legal soundness and commercial objectives, and are fully aligned with the company’s strategy and the Hong Kong regulatory framework. The Legal Counsel will act as the main legal point of contact for the Hong Kong business and work closely with the MKS PAMP Legal team.

MAIN ACTIVITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Draft, review and negotiate a broad range of commercial contracts for the Hong Kong entity, including physical precious metals sale and purchase contracts; consignment, leasing and metal loan agreements; paper trading and derivatives documentation, particularly under the ISDA framework; client and counterparty terms of business; trade finance and treasury documentation, including letters of credit, bank guarantees, financing agreements and security arrangements; refining, vaulting, storage and logistics agreements (including intra-group arrangements); as well as IT and marketing agreements.

• Provide clear, practical legal advice to the Hong Kong business (trading, sales, treasury and operations) on its contractual rights, obligations and risk exposure, ensuring alignment with internal policies and applicable regulations in Hong Kong, Mainland China and other relevant jurisdictions (incl. cross-border laws and regulations).

• Maintain and update contract templates for the Hong Kong entity and contribute to the continuous improvement of legal processes, working closely with internal teams across the company (trading, sales, treasury, finance, operations, compliance, ESG, etc.) and with the MKS PAMP Legal team.

• Ensure that contracts reflect the regulatory requirements applicable to the Hong Kong entity, including those relating to anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing, sanctions, responsible sourcing and data protection.

• Support corporate governance of the Hong Kong entity, including board and shareholder resolutions, signing authorities and powers of attorney, in coordination with the Group.

• Instruct and manage external counsel in Hong Kong and Mainland China, and support the handling of disputes, claims and regulatory enquiries involving the Hong Kong entity.

• Support and coordinate contract management processes, including maintaining contract databases, tracking key terms and deadlines, and ensuring proper execution and archiving of agreements.
  

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Law degree (LL.B., J.D. or equivalent) and qualified to practice law in Hong Kong (solicitor), or qualified in another common-law jurisdiction with the ability to work effectively under Hong Kong law; LL.M. or additional legal qualifications are an advantage.

• 5+ years of relevant post-qualification legal experience, preferably in an in-house legal department or an international corporate environment, with substantial experience drafting and negotiating commercial contracts and advising business teams independently.

• Experience in the commodities industry, including drafting, reviewing and negotiating legal documentation relating to paper trading and derivatives - particularly under the ISDA framework, and trade finance, including letters of credit, bank guarantees, financing agreements and security arrangements.

• Experience drafting, reviewing and negotiating contracts governed by English law or the laws of other common-law jurisdictions.

• Professional proficiency in English and Chinese (Mandarin); Cantonese is an advantage.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• Strong knowledge of Hong Kong law and a solid understanding of PRC law, particularly in commercial and contract matters.

• Experience drafting and negotiating commercial agreements independently.

• Ability to identify legal risks and provide practical, business-oriented advice. Problem solver.

• Curiosity and willingness to understand the Company's business and industry, and to translate that understanding into clear and effective contract drafting.

• Proactive and pragmatic, with the ability to balance legal risk against commercial objectives.

• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with multiple stakeholders and as part of a collaborative team.

• Flexible and adaptable in a dynamic and evolving business environment.

• Hong Kong resident or holder of a valid Hong Kong work visa.