Counsel, Capital Markets

Dimensional Fund Advisors; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Dimensional Fund Advisors is seeking an in-house Counsel to support its global investments function with a strong focus on proprietary ETFs. The role involves advising on federal, state, and international securities laws and coordinating with multiple internal teams to ensure compliance and successful fund operations.

The candidate will interact with the Deputy General Counsel and Vice President, review ETF-related policies, and oversee outside counsel as needed.

Qualifications

• 4–10 years of practice in a top-tier law firm or in-house with ETF/fund, investment adviser, or securities regulation focus.
• Knowledge of ETF structure and operations; portfolio management processes; and federal securities laws (1940 Act)
• JD from a top law school and active US state bar admission
• Detail oriented, organized and professional
• Excellent oral and written communication with ability to translate legal concepts into practical advice
• Able to work in a team and manage multiple projects with changing priorities and deadlines

Responsibilities

• Support proprietary ETFs offering and operation; act as day-to-day legal contact for capital markets.
• Analyze US and international law for portfolio management initiatives and contracts.
• Review 38a-1 and 206(4)-7 compliance programs.
• Analyze shareholder filings and corporate action requirements.
• Prepare memoranda, agendas, and board meeting materials.
• Coordinate with outside counsel and manage cost and service standards.

Skills

ETF knowledge

Regulatory analysis

Communication skills

Team player

Self-starter

Legal tech fluency

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) from a top law school

US state bar admission

Tools

Microsoft Office

Legal tech tools (ebilling, document repository, research tools)

Job description

Dimensional's Legal division is an in-house team of client-focused attorneys, paralegals, and legal assistants who partner with internal and external teams to help provide legal expertise across business functions, legal systems, and jurisdictions.

This counsel will assist with the day-to-day legal needs for the firm’s global investments function with an emphasis on initiatives relating to proprietary exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Work will include advising on federal, state and international securities laws and related compliance matters. This position will report to the Deputy General Counsel and Vice President that acts as the primary legal liaison for the firm’s global investments function.

Responsibilities:

• Support the offering and operation of proprietary ETFs, which includes serving as the day-to-day legal contact for the capital markets function, listing ETFs on exchanges, negotiating authorized participant and service provider agreements related to ETFs, reviewing ETF-specific compliance policies and procedures, and coordinating with the legal team members that are responsible for fund board meetings and fund registration statement filings
• Support the firm’s portfolio management group, which includes analyzing U.S. and international law and requirements under client or counterparty contracts; assisting risk management, compliance and other groups that have responsibility for oversight of the portfolio management function; and coordinating with other business groups in the implementation of portfolio management initiatives
• Review and analyze policies and procedures in the fund companies’ 38a-1 compliance program and the adviser’s 206(4)-7 compliance program
• Analyze legal requirements relating to substantial shareholder filings and corporate action elections
• Prepare and, when requested, present materials such as memoranda, agendas, and meeting minutes for internal meetings, committee meetings, or the meetings of the Board of Directors of the firm, its subsidiary companies and/or its fund complexes
• Work with and oversee the work provided by outside counsel on a variety of legal matters while ensuring that standards for service delivery and cost are met

Qualifications:

• 4-10 years of practice in a top-tier law firm or in-house with a mutual fund/ETF complex, investment adviser, financial intermediary or other business that focuses on ETF/fund, investment adviser, financial intermediary, or securities regulation issues.
• Knowledge of the structure and operation of ETFs; portfolio management processes; and federal securities laws, including the Investment Company Act of 1940 and Investment Advisers Act of 1940
• JD from a top law school
• Member of a US state bar
• Detail oriented, organized and professional
• Very strong communication skills (oral and written), with the ability to translate complex legal concepts into practical advice for other departments.
• Able to work well in a team environment, but also be a self-starter who is capable of handling multiple projects while managing changes in business priorities and meeting deadlines
• Technical fluency, including proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite & other legal technology (ebilling, legal document repository, legal research tools), as well as a willingness & ability to learn and adapt to new technologies

This role is not eligible for immigration sponsorship