ED, Commodities Attorney

Morgan Stanley; New York (NY); On-site; USD 165,000 - 275,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement plans

Discretionary bonuses

Job summary

Morgan Stanley in New York is seeking a legal advisor focused on commodities trading. The role involves drafting and negotiating documents, advising on U.S. commodities regulations, and managing external counsel.

The ideal candidate will have at least six years of experience, strong knowledge of regulatory frameworks, and excellent drafting skills. The position offers a competitive salary alongside benefits and incentive packages.

Qualifications

• Six or more years of relevant experience in commodities, energy, and derivatives.
• Familiarity with RTO/ISO market rules is preferred.
• Ability to operate efficiently in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal coverage for commodity trading activities.
• Advise on regulatory matters concerning U.S. commodities.
• Support responses to regulatory inquiries and examinations.

Skills

Legal coverage for commodities trading

U.S. commodities regulatory knowledge

Communication skills

Drafting and negotiation skills

Education

J.D. from an accredited law school

Job description

What You’ll Do:

• Provide day‑to‑day legal coverage for physical and financial commodities trading, drafting, reviewing, and negotiating documents such as master agreements, confirmations, and bespoke agreements.
• Advise on U.S. commodities regulatory matters, including the Commodity Exchange Act, FERC, CFTC, state regulations, exemptions, and interpretive guidance.
• Assess regulatory risk associated with new products, trading strategies, and counterparties.
• Support responses to regulatory inquiries and examinations in coordination with Compliance and other stakeholders.
• Provide legal support for trading activity conducted under RTO and ISO tariffs and market rules.
• Advise on participation requirements, tariff‑based trading structures, and settlement mechanics in organized wholesale electricity markets.
• Analyze interactions between FERC‑regulated markets and the Commodity Exchange Act, including applicable exemptions and regulatory relief.
• Act as a key legal advisor to commodities trading businesses while maintaining appropriate independence.
• Coordinate closely with traders, originators, structurers, Compliance, and Risk on legal and regulatory issues.
• Manage external counsel.

Required Qualifications:

• J.D. from an accredited law school and bar admission in good standing.
• Six or more years of relevant experience in commodities, energy, and derivatives.
• Strong working knowledge of U.S. commodities regulatory frameworks (FERC, CFTC, and state regulation).
• Ability to operate efficiently in a fast‑paced, deal‑driven environment.
• Excellent communication, drafting, and negotiation skills.
• Demonstrated record of sound legal judgment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with RTO/ISO market rules and organized power markets.

Benefits:

• Competitive base salary between $165,000 and $275,000 per year, plus commission, incentive compensation, discretionary bonuses, and other short‑ and long‑term incentive packages.
• Comprehensive employee benefits and perks, including health, retirement, and other corporate programs.

Morgan Stanley is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to building and maintaining a workforce that is diverse in experience and background. Our recruiting efforts reflect our strong commitment to a culture of inclusion, where individuals are hired, developed, and advanced based on their skills and talents.

For more information, please visit https://www.morganstanley.com/people-opportunities/eeo.