Regional Counsel

Morningstar; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 148,000 - 226,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k match up to 6%

Stock ownership potential

Company-provided life insurance

Job summary

Morningstar, Inc. is seeking a specialist in Global Regulatory Strategy and Advisory to identify regulatory issues affecting North America and advise on reactive or proactive actions.

This role reports to Senior Regional Counsel, NA, and collaborates with the Global Head of Regulatory Strategy. The candidate will guide regulatory strategy for strategic initiatives, compliance management, and interactions with regulators and government agencies, supporting Morningstar’s regulated businesses

Qualifications

• Law degree and licensed to practice in NY or IL or other US state.
• At least 5 years of financial services or securities law experience in a North American jurisdiction.
• Structured finance / credit rating or similar regulatory experience required.
• Experience dealing with regulators is an advantage.
• Proficiency with artificial intelligence is required.
• Investment advisor and asset management regulatory experience is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Advise on regulatory strategy and risk for strategic initiatives and new business lines.
• Advise Compliance on regulatory responsibilities and external consultations.
• Serve as a point of contact and negotiator with regulators and government agencies.
• Advise on defending/regulating any regulatory actions involving Morningstar’s businesses.
• Assist with examinations, regulatory registrations, and regulator submissions.
• Contribute to internal investigations and development of regulatory policies.
• Stay current on regulatory changes impacting Morningstar’s businesses.

Skills

Regulatory strategy

Securities law

Regulatory compliance

Artificial intelligence

Regulatory negotiation

Education

Law degree / JD

Job description

The Legal and Compliance team consists of lawyers, compliance specialists and other professionals across the globe who bring to the team various kinds of expertise. On the legal side, we have commercial, regulatory, M&A, regulatory compliance, corporate governance, privacy and employment expertise in-house as well as broad-based international legal experience to support the company’s 12,000+ employees working in wholly owned subsidiaries in 32 countries. The Compliance team has expertise in overseeing the compliance processes and practices of regulated credit ratings, investment management, investment research and benchmark administration businesses.

The Role

Morningstar, Inc., a leading global provider of independent investment research, is looking for a specialist in the Global Regulatory Strategy and Advisory Team, Legal. The role will be a legal resource on identifying regulatory issues that do or may affect Morningstar’s North American operations and advising on how to reactively or proactively address them. This position directly reports to Senior Regional Counsel, North America, who reports to Global Head of Regulatory and Government Affairs Strategy , Legal.

Responsibilities

• Advising the business on regulatory strategy and risk, including with respect to regulatory matters associated with strategic initiatives, artificial intelligence, and new business line development.
• Advising Compliance on the management of Morningstar’s regulatory compliance responsibilities and consulting with external parties, as appropriate.
• Serving as one of Morningstar’s contacts and negotiators with regulatory bodies and government agencies.
• Advising on strategy for defending and settling any regulatory action or other related matters involving any of Morningstar’s regulated businesses.
• Assisting with formal examinations or investigations by a regulator, regulatory registrations, and written submissions in response to consultations from regulators, as necessary.
• Advising the Compliance Team in internal investigations, and development and implementation of policies, guidelines and other documents pertaining to regulatory requirements applicable to Morningstar’s regulated businesses, as necessary.
• Staying current on regulations and other changes in regulatory requirements that could impact Morningstar’s businesses.

Qualifications

• Law degree and qualified to practice in New York or Illinois, or other relevant US State
• At least 5 years of financial services or securities law experience in a North American jurisdiction
• Structured finance transactional experience, credit rating experience, or other financial services compliance/regulatory experience required
• Experience in dealing with regulators is an advantage
• Proficiency with artificial intelligence is required
• Investment advisor and asset management regulatory experience is beneficial

Must be admitted to practice law or eligible for admission to practice as in-house counsel in the jurisdiction where located

• Integrity and a high degree of professional ethics
• Excellent judgement and analytical skills
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including excellent, clear drafting
• Ability to work efficiently and independently, prioritize workflow, and meet deadlines.

Compensation And Benefits

At Morningstar we believe people are at their best when they are at their healthiest. That’s why we champion your wellness through a wide range of programs that support all stages of your personal and professional life. Here are some examples of the offerings we provide:

• Financial Health
  • 100% 401k match up to 6% of salary
  • Stock Ownership Potential
  • Company provided life insurance - 1x salary + commission
• Physical Health
  • Comprehensive health benefits (medical/dental/vision) including potential premium discounts and company-provided HSA contributions (up to $500-$2,000 annually) for specific plans and coverages
  • Additional medical Wellness Incentives - up to $300-$600 annual
  • Company-provided long- and short-term disability insurance
• Emotional Health
  • Trust-Based Time Off
  • 6-week Paid Sabbatical Program
  • 6-Week Paid Family Caregiving Leave
  • Competitive 8-24 Week Paid Parental Leave
  • Adoption Assistance
  • Leadership Coaching & Formal Mentorship Opportunities
  • Annual Flex Stipend - $1000 annually to cover personal education & well-being expenses
  • Tuition Reimbursement
• Social Health
  • Charitable Matching Gifts program
  • Dollars for Doers volunteer program
  • Paid volunteering days
  • 15+ Employee Resource & Affinity Groups

Total Cash Compensation Range

$147,550.00-226,233.33

Inclusive of annual base salary and target incentive

Morningstar's hybrid work environment gives you the opportunity to collaborate in‑person each week as we've found that we're at our best when we're purposely together on a regular basis. In most of our locations, our hybrid work model is four days in-office each week. A range of other benefits are also available to enhance flexibility as needs change. No matter where you are, you'll have tools and resources to engage meaningfully with your global colleagues.