Assistant Counsel

Legal & General; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

HSA

Disability insurance

Dental insurance

Vision care

Life insurance

401K

Vacation

Sick time

Commuter benefits

Voluntary health benefits

Pet insurance

Job summary

Legal & General’s Asset Management America is seeking a junior attorney to support its growing U.S. investment management platform.

This role offers broad exposure to the legal and regulatory aspects of managing institutional investment products across public and private markets. The successful candidate will partner closely with the Associate General Counsels to assist in delivering efficient execution, maintain consistent documentation standards, and provide practical, risk-based guidance

Qualifications

• J.D. degree from an accredited law school is required.
• Licensed to practice law in Illinois is required.
• 2–3 years of experience in asset management, investment funds or financial services preferred.
• Familiarity with the Investment Advisers Act, Investment Company Act, Securities Acts and ERISA is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Support senior attorneys’ review, drafting, negotiation and maintenance of investment management agreements and related documents.
• Assist in preparation and maintenance of template agreements and internal guidance materials.
• Support the launch and ongoing maintenance of investment products and client onboarding.
• Coordinate legal aspects of new business initiatives across investment, distribution, operations, compliance and risk teams.
• Attend meetings and prepare minutes of Board and Committee meetings.
• Conduct legal and regulatory research relating to asset management and securities matters.
• Review RFPs, due diligence requests, and client disclosures.

Skills

Written communication

Legal drafting

Analytical thinking

Multitasking

Collaboration

Attention to detail

Problem solving

Education

J.D. degree from an accredited law school

Licensed to practice law in Illinois

Job description

L&G's Asset Management business is a major investor across public and private markets worldwide, with $1.533 trillion in AUM.* Our clients include individual savers, pension scheme members and global institutions, who invest alongside L&G’s own balance sheet.

Our ambition is to be a leading global investor, innovating to solve complex challenges for our clients using the power of L&G. This is rooted in our investment philosophy and processes, which are focused on creating value over the long term.

We believe that incorporating financially material sustainability criteria, when relevant to our clients, can generate value and drive positive change.

Job Description

L&G – Asset Management America is seeking a junior attorney to support its growing U.S. investment management platform. This role offers a unique opportunity to gain broad exposure to the legal and regulatory aspects of managing institutional investment products across public and private markets. The successful candidate will partner closely with the Associate General Counsels to assist in delivering efficient execution, maintain consistent documentation standards, and provide practical, risk-based guidance across a high‑volume pipeline of institutional mandates. The role is designed to provide a junior attorney with meaningful responsibility, hands‑on experience, direct business engagement, and substantial opportunities for professional growth within a collaborative legal team. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work across a diverse range of investment strategies, product structures and client types (including pension plans, insurance companies, wealth managers, consultants, and other sophisticated market participants), while gaining exposure to the legal and commercial considerations involved in managing a global asset management business.

Responsibilities

• Support senior attorneys’ review, drafting, negotiation and maintenance of investment management agreements, sub‑advisory agreements, side letters, subscription documents, various amendments, and other legal documents across a variety of account structures and transactions.
• Assist in the preparation, review and maintenance of template agreements, form documentation, legal playbooks, desk procedures, and other internal guidance materials.
• Support the launch, operation and ongoing maintenance of investment products, including commingled funds and separate accounts.
• Support senior attorneys in coordinating legal aspects of new business initiatives, strategic projects, and product development efforts across investment, distribution, operations, compliance, and risk teams.
• Partner closely with the US Client Onboarding team on the legal aspects of client onboarding, including review of client requirements, investment guidelines and regulatory requirements, escalating issues and proposed solutions to senior attorneys.
• Attend meetings and prepare minutes of Board, Committee, and special meetings.
• Perform legal and regulatory research relating to asset management, investment advisory, and securities related matters and conduct analysis of legal and regulatory issues.
• Assist senior attorneys with the review of RFPs, due diligence requests, and client‑facing disclosures.
• Support internal governance processes, policies, and risk assessments.
• Assist with review of vendor contracts and confidentiality and non‑disclosure agreements, and other general corporate contracts.
• Monitor and research developments in investment management regulation and help assess potential impacts on the business.
• Assist in coordinating with outside counsel on regulatory, transactional, and corporate matters.

Qualifications

• J.D. degree from an accredited law school.
• Licensed to practice law in Illinois.
• 2-3 years of experience in asset management, investment funds or financial services with a top‑tier law firm and/or in‑house at an asset manager, investment fund, financial services institution or insurance company. Newly admitted attorneys with relevant internships, clerkships, or prior experience in financial services will also be considered.
• Familiarity with, or interest in learning, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, Investment Company Act of 1940, Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, Securities Act of 1933 and ERISA preferred.
• Strong written communication, legal drafting, analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to translate complex legal concepts into practical, business‑facing advice.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments and prioritize effectively under tight timelines.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to carefully review contracts and other legal documents, issue‑spot, and cross‑reference related documentation for consistency.
• Ability to do risk‑based legal analysis.
• Ability to work within a team environment with a high degree of collaboration and communication; strong interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated intellectual curiosity and desire to learn complex legal, regulatory, and business concepts in the asset management space.

Additional Information

The starting salary offer will vary based on multiple factors, including but not limited to the applicant’s education, job‑related experience, skills, and abilities, geographic location, and market factors. This position is also eligible to participate in the company’s annual discretionary bonus plan.

• Full time employees may be eligible for health insurance with an optional HSA, short term disability, long term disability, dental insurance, vision care, life insurance, Healthcare, Dependent and Limited Care Flexible Spending Accounts, 401K, vacation, sick time, an employee assistance program, and commuter and transit programs.
• Additional voluntary programs include: supplemental health benefits including accidental injury, critical illness and hospital indemnity insurance and pet insurance.

EOE Statement

As an EOE employer, L&G Asset Management, America will extend equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, ancestry, national origin, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy, military status, and/or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state or local laws governing non‑discrimination in employment. (2025)