Capital Markets Senior Counsel

Archer; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Vanguard’s Global Fixed Income Legal team seeks an experienced securities lawyer to serve as the primary advisor to our Fixed Income research, trading, and portfolio management teams across the U.S., U.K., and Europe. The role collaborates with Compliance, Risk, and Operations to navigate a broad spectrum of fixed income instruments and markets.

The candidate will advise on securities law matters, review and negotiate key documentation, monitor regulatory developments, and support cross-border

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of securities law experience at a leading law firm or in-house.
• J.D. degree and active membership in good standing in at least one U.S. state bar.
• Significant experience advising on the Securities Act of 1933, including registration requirements and exemptions, Rule 144A, Regulation S, and Rule 144.
• Significant experience advising on the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including antifraud provisions (Section 10(b) and Rule 10b-5), and insider trading and MNPI.
• Demonstrated experience with fixed income instruments and markets, including how debt securities are issued, structured, traded, and settled.
• Familiarity with a broad range of fixed income products: investment grade/high yield bonds, U.S. Treasuries, agency debt, sovereign/IMF debt, emerging markets debt, RMBS/CMBS, ABS/CLOs, bank loans, private placements, distressed debt.

Responsibilities

• Advise Fixed Income trading, research, and portfolio management on securities law matters.
• Review and negotiate offering and transaction documents such as memos, purchase agreements, indentures, and loan documents.
• Advise on trading and market structure matters, including best execution, trade reporting, and regulatory developments.
• Assist cross-border investment and trading matters involving U.S., UK, and European markets.
• Monitor regulatory developments affecting fixed income funds and help develop related policies and training.
• Collaborate with Compliance, Risk, Operations, and other Legal teams and manage outside counsel as needed.

Job description

Archer is collaborating with Vanguard to connect them with exceptional professionals for this role.

The Global Fixed Income Legal team is seeking an experienced securities lawyer to serve as a primary legal advisor to our Fixed Income research, trading, and portfolio management teams. The role covers a broad range of fixed income instruments and markets across the U.S., UK, and Europe. It also works closely with Compliance, Risk, and Operations colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Advise Fixed Income trading, research, and portfolio management teams on securities law matters under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including:
  • public offerings and exempt offerings (Section 4(a)(2), Regulation D, Rule 144A and Regulation S);
  • resale restrictions under Rule 144; and
  • trading restrictions, market abuse, and insider trading.
• Advise on the handling of material nonpublic information (MNPI), information barriers, and wall-crossings, particularly for private-side activity such as private placements, bank loans, distressed debt, creditor committees, and restructurings.
• Review and negotiate offering and transaction documents, including offering memoranda, purchase agreements, indentures, credit agreements, assignment documentation (e.g., LSTA/LMA forms), non-disclosure agreements, and similar.
• Advise on trading and market structure matters, including best execution, TRACE and other trade reporting obligations, Treasury market and fixed income regulatory developments, and trading counterparty documentation.
• Advise on cross-border investment and trading matters involving U.S., Canadian, UK, and European markets.
• Monitor, interpret, and communicate regulatory developments affecting fixed income funds. Help in the development and maintenance of related policies, procedures, and training.
• Partner with Compliance, Risk, Operations, and other Legal teams, and manage outside counsel as needed.

Qualifications

• At least five years of relevant legal experience at a leading law firm and/or in-house. Experience advising investment advisers, asset managers, broker-dealers, banks, or other financial institutions is preferred.
• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree and active membership in good standing in at least one U.S. state bar. Eligible for admission to the relevant state bar.
• Significant experience advising on the Securities Act of 1933, including registration requirements and exemptions, Rule 144A, Regulation S, and Rule 144.
• Significant experience advising on the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including antifraud provisions (Section 10(b) and Rule 10b-5), and insider trading and MNPI.
• Demonstrated experience with fixed income instruments and markets, including how debt securities are issued, structured, traded, and settled.
• Familiarity with a broad range of fixed income products, including:
  • investment grade and high yield corporate bonds;
  • U.S. Treasuries, agency debt, sovereign, and supranational debt;
  • emerging markets debt;
  • agency and non-agency mortgage-backed securities (RMBS/CMBS);
  • asset-backed securities (ABS), CLOs, and other structured products and securitizations;
  • bank loans and leveraged loans; and
  • private placements and Rule 144A and Regulation S securities;
  • distressed debt and restructuring situations (i.e., bondholder groups and ad hoc committees).
• Experience with capital markets transactions and fixed income trading and investment activities.
• Strong analytical, drafting and negotiation skills, with the judgement to give practical, commercially minded advice in a fast-paced trading environment.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, including the ability to explain complex legal issues clearly to traders, portfolio managers, and senior management.

Nice To Haves

• Experience directly supporting fixed income research and trading desks, portfolio managers, or investment management businesses, whether in-house or on secondment.
• Experience advising UCITS funds and other non-U.S. investment vehicles, including eligible asset requirements and investment restrictions, particularly around securitizations.
• Experience advising on cross-border investment and trading matters involving UK and European markets.

Salary Range

• $120,000 - $210,000

Sponsorship

Vanguard is not offering visa sponsorship for this position.

About Vanguard

At Vanguard, we don't just have a mission - we're on a mission. To work for the long-term financial wellbeing of our clients. To lead through product and services that transform our clients' lives. To learn and develop our skills as individuals and as a team. From Malvern to Melbourne, our mission drives us forward and inspires us to be our best.

How We Work

Vanguard has implemented a hybrid working model for the majority of our crew members, designed to capture the benefits of enhanced flexibility while enabling in-person learning, collaboration, and connection. We believe our mission-driven and highly collaborative culture is a critical enabler to support long-term client outcomes and enrich the employee experience.