Counsel, ETFs

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

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Equal opportunity employer

Job summary

Dimensional Fund Advisors’ Legal division is an in-house team of attorneys, paralegals, and legal assistants who partner with internal and external teams to provide legal expertise across business functions, legal systems, and jurisdictions. This counsel will assist with day-to-day legal needs for the firm’s global investments function with emphasis on proprietary ETFs.

Reporting to the Deputy General Counsel and Vice President, the role involves advising on federal, state, and international

Qualifications

• 4-10 years of practice in a top-tier law firm or in-house with ETF/fund regulation
• Knowledge of ETF structure, portfolio management processes, and federal securities laws (Investment Company Act of 1940; Investment Advisers Act of 1940)
• Licensed to practice in a US state
• Detail oriented, organized, and professional
• Strong written and oral communication; ability to translate complex legal concepts for other departments
• Able to manage multiple projects and adapt to changing business priorities

Responsibilities

• Support the offering and operation of proprietary ETFs and related agreements and policies
• Assist risk management, compliance, and portfolio management with legal analysis across jurisdictions
• Review 38a-1 and 206(4)-7 compliance programs and related policies
• Analyze substantial shareholder filings and corporate action elections
• Prepare memoranda, agendas, and meeting materials for internal and board meetings
• Coordinate with outside counsel to ensure service delivery and cost efficiency

Skills

ETF knowledge

US Bar admission

Strong communication

Team player

Tech fluency

Education

JD from a top law school

US Bar admission

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Legal tech tools

e-billing

Job description

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 #LI-Hybrid

Benefits and Culture

Dimensional offers a variety of programs to help take care of you, your family, and your career, including comprehensive benefits, educational initiatives, and special celebrations of our history, culture, and growth.

It is the policy of the Company to provide equal opportunity for all employees and applicants. The Company recruits, hires, trains, promotes, compensates, and administers all personnel actions without regard to actual or perceived race, color, religion, religious practice, creed, sex, sex stereotyping, pregnancy (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), caregiver status, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender identity, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, ancestry, medical condition, marital status, familial status, domestic partnership status, military or veteran status or service, unemployment status, citizenship status or alienage, sexual orientation, status as a victim of domestic violence, status as a victim of stalking, status as a victim of sex offenses, genetic information, political activities or recreational activities, arrest or conviction record, salary history, natural hairstyle or any other status protected by applicable law except as otherwise required or permitted by law or regulation applicable to the Company or its affiliates.

At Dimensional, we want to change the way the world thinks about investing. As a leading global investment firm, we offer systematic, value-added investment solutions based on robust science and thoughtful implementation. Our global team includes more than 1,600 passionate people with diverse experiences, education, strengths, and talents. With a learning mindset rooted in academia and powered by the great ideas in finance, we pursue what we believe are the strongest investment solutions, while providing a world‑class client experience. Every employee plays a role in delivering these experiences, and we know we can achieve the most when we work as a team to endeavor to help improve investors’ lives.

Dimensional Fund Advisors LP is an investment advisor registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Dimensional sees great value from collaborating in our offices and appreciates the benefits of flexibility. Most roles fit our office‑first hybrid approach: We are together on our campuses Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays and have the choice to work in the office or remotely, depending on what is best for that work day, on Mondays and Fridays. This approach maximizes in-person collaboration and interaction while simultaneously providing flexibility and applies to most roles globally with a few exceptions that require more or less time in the office.

Here at Dimensional, we strive to be an inclusive workplace for all.

The use of Artificial Intelligence during interviews and skill testing is prohibited, unless Dimensional Fund Advisors has authorized such use.

If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, such accommodation is available upon request.