Legal Counsel Markets & Trading

Madison-Davis, LLC; New York (NY); On-site; USD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Madison-Davis, LLC is seeking a Legal Counsel to join its North American legal team to support sophisticated trading and markets businesses. The role focuses on negotiating commercial agreements, advising internal stakeholders, and managing documentation for institutional clients in a highly regulated environment.

The attorney will draft and negotiate agreements across prime brokerage, derivatives, and securities activities, while maintaining regulatory alignment and clear communication of

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school.
• Active admission to a U.S. State bar.
• Demonstrated interest in financial services, capital markets, or investment management law.
• Strong written and verbal communication, with ability to explain complex legal concepts clearly.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate institutional trading agreements including prime brokerage, derivatives, securities lending, and related activity.
• Manage documentation for institutional clients and investment structures.
• Advise internal teams on contractual obligations and legal exposure.
• Analyze agreements to identify risks and summarize key terms for business and compliance stakeholders.
• Collaborate with senior attorneys, compliance, and control functions on regulatory matters.

Skills

Communication skills

Relationship building

Analytical thinking

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Active U.S. bar admission

Job description

A global financial services organization is seeking a Legal Counsel to join its North American legal team. This role will support sophisticated trading and markets businesses, with a particular focus on negotiating commercial agreements, advising internal stakeholders, and managing documentation for institutional clients. The position is well suited to an attorney who wants to build deeper expertise in financial markets and develop into a broader legal advisory role within a highly regulated environment.

What You ll Do

• Draft, review, and negotiate agreements supporting institutional trading activities, including prime brokerage, derivatives, securities lending, repurchase transactions, futures, cleared products, equities, and ETF-related activity.


• Manage documentation requirements for new and existing institutional clients, including investment funds and managed account structures.


• Work directly with clients and their legal teams to move complex negotiations toward resolution and clearly communicate the firm s contractual positions.


• Analyze existing agreements, identify material legal and commercial risks, and summarize key terms for business, trading, operations, risk, and compliance stakeholders.


• Translate complicated contractual matters into concise, practical guidance that enables commercial teams to make informed decisions.


• Maintain and improve standard agreements and documentation based on regulatory developments, market practices, and industry discussions.


• Advise internal teams on contractual obligations and potential legal exposure arising from existing client relationships.


• Partner closely with senior attorneys, compliance professionals, and other control functions on regulatory and legal matters.


• Help ensure trading documentation remains aligned with applicable U.S. Securities, commodities, derivatives, and self-regulatory requirements.


• Participate in relevant industry forums and incorporate emerging documentation practices into internal processes.


• Support broader legal department initiatives and contribute to risk-management activities as needed.

What We re Looking For

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school and active admission to a U.S. State bar.


• Demonstrated interest in financial services, capital markets, trading, or investment management law.


• Exposure to hedge funds, mutual funds, separately managed accounts, or other institutional investment structures is beneficial.


• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex legal concepts clearly to both legal and non-legal audiences.


• Ability to develop productive relationships with clients, senior stakeholders, and cross-functional partners.


• Collaborative, approachable working style and a willingness to contribute as part of a team.


• Genuine interest in financial markets and in developing knowledge of the legal, regulatory, risk, and compliance framework surrounding trading businesses.


• Strong judgment, attention to detail, intellectual curiosity, and a high standard of professional integrity.