Associate

HOLBORN LAW LLC; Singapore; On-site; SGD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

HOLBORN LAW LLC in Singapore seeks a lawyer with strong financial services regulatory experience to work closely with the partner on licensing and advisory matters. The role covers MAS applications, governance, and compliance for banks, asset managers, fintechs and other regulated entities in Singapore and the region.

The ideal candidate has 3–7 years PQE, excellent drafting and client-relations skills, and a practical, commercially oriented approach to regulatory challenges.

Qualifications

• Between 3-7 years post-qualification experience in a leading firm.
• Strong experience in financial services regulatory matters (asset management, capital markets, payments, fintech).
• Solid understanding of Singapore regulation and MAS.

Responsibilities

• Advise on licensing, registrations and regulatory approvals before MAS.
• Counsel on ongoing regulatory obligations, governance and compliance.
• Assist fund managers, private funds and fintech clients on licensing and structuring.
• Draft regulatory documents, policies and client agreements.
• Support business development and regional expansion initiatives.

Skills

Regulatory advisory

Drafting & documentation

Client management

Analytical skills

Commercial judgment

Education

Qualified lawyer (Singapore)

Job description

You will join a specialist and growing Financial Services Regulatory practice based in Singapore, working directly with the partner on a broad range of non-contentious regulatory, licensing and strategic advisory matters in Singapore.

The practice advises a diverse client base including banks, asset managers, broker-dealers, payment service providers, fintech businesses, fund managers, technology providers, family offices, corporate finance advisers and other regulated financial institutions. We support clients through the full regulatory lifecycle, from business model structuring and market-entry analysis to licensing, regulatory change projects, ongoing compliance and regional expansion initiatives.

In this role, you can expect to be involved in:

• Advising on licensing, registration and regulatory approval processes before the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), including Capital Markets Services licences, Financial Advisers Act licences, Major Payment Institution licences, exempt regimes and related regulatory applications.

• Advising financial institutions on ongoing regulatory and compliance obligations, including conduct of business requirements, governance frameworks, outsourcing, anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing requirements and regulatory notifications.

• Supporting fund managers, private credit firms, family offices and alternative investment businesses on regulatory structuring, licensing and operational compliance matters.

• Advising on the regulatory implications of new products, business lines and distribution arrangements, including fintech, payments, digital assets and technology-enabled financial services.

• Advising on cross-border financial services issues, including the provision of services into Singapore and other Asia-Pacific jurisdictions.

• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating regulatory-facing documents, compliance policies and procedures, client agreements, disclosures and related documentation.

• Conducting regulatory due diligence and supporting transactions involving regulated financial institutions and financial services businesses.

• Preparing client alerts, thought leadership and training materials on regulatory developments and emerging trends in the financial services industry.

• Contributing to business development initiatives and helping to build and expand the practice's profile across Singapore and the broader region.

About You

We are looking for a highly motivated lawyer who combines strong technical skills with commercial judgment and an entrepreneurial mindset.

To be considered for this role, you should have:

• Between 3-7 years' post-qualification experience gained at a leading international or top-tier local law firm.

• Strong experience advising on financial services regulatory matters, ideally including asset management, capital markets, payments, banking, fintech or private funds.

• A solid understanding of Singapore financial services regulation and the role of the MAS. Regional experience across Asia-Pacific would be advantageous.

• Experience managing matters with increasing levels of autonomy and direct client responsibility.

• Excellent drafting, analytical and communication skills, with the ability to provide practical, commercially focused advice.

• A strong work ethic, attention to detail and a willingness to take ownership of matters.

• An interest in business development, client relationship management and contributing to the growth of a specialist practice.

• A collaborative and entrepreneurial approach, with the ability to thrive in a lean, high-performance environment.

Why Join Us?

• Direct day-to-day exposure to an experienced practitioner and leading financial institutions.

• High levels of responsibility and client contact from day one.

• Opportunity to work across a wide variety of regulatory, funds, fintech, payments and capital markets matters.

• Exposure to regional and cross-border mandates across Asia-Pacific.

• A platform for ambitious lawyers seeking meaningful responsibility and long-term career development in a growing specialist practice.

What’s in it for you?

As a future facing firm, we take a bold, dynamic and agile approach to help clients of every size face the future with confidence. We empower and support our people to realise their ambitions through access to high quality, interesting and engaging work alongside a competitive package.