Legal Counsel

Our client is looking for a legal counsel or experienced paralegal to join their team. They provide financial services to clients which include trade finance, syndicated loans and loan finance. The client also provides fiduciary services and makes private equity and venture capital investments.

The focus of the business is on delivering the highest level of customer service and innovative solutions to customer challenges within the context of a highly regulated industry.

This role is to provide legal expertise and support across the group with an emphasis on the finance side. Applicants should ideally have not less than 3 years experience in either a finance or commercial field, whether in law practice and/or the finance industry. The individual must be adaptable and able to acquaint themselves with other laws which relevant to the business which may be outside their current field.

Core skills will include a “solutions-based” approach to matters and the ability to communicate and explain legal issues in straightforward and practical language to colleagues and clients at all levels of seniority. In addition to legal technical skills, the individual must have sound judgement with the ability to balance legal and commercial priorities.

This role is an excellent opportunity for the individual to contribute to the in-house legal function of the wider group, to add considerable value as a guardian to the business and facilitating future growth.

JOB DESCRIPTION

• Anticipate issues and estimate risks strategically.
• Assist in the appointment and management of external legal firms, building effective. partnerships and close relationships to ensure client structures receive quality, value for money advice.
• Refine suite of standard legal documents and agreements.
• Due diligence on loans
• Reviewing and drafting term sheets, loan agreements with funders as well as borrowers
• Assisting with legal work on other aspects of their work with their clients, such as private equity structures and fiduciary services
• Assisting with internal legal work in relation to the business such as committee minutes, regulatory issues etc.
• Ensure any changes in legislation and/or regulatory environment are reflected in funder and borrower agreements.
• Develop and refine suite of standard legal documents and agreements.
• Support the analysis of risk for new business take-on.
• Help identify and help mitigate risks in relation to the execution of new loans.
• Interpret laws and regulations and implementing corresponding policies / procedures, guidelines and standards
• Maintain current knowledge of changes in legislation
• Understanding influences of the external environment on the business
• Collate information with clients and the compliance team.
• Show effective teamwork skills in collaborating with the admin team to complete individual and team milestones
• Presenting periodic reports to the Board

DESIRED SKILLS:

• Adaptable and willingness to acquaint with other laws relevant to the business and its clients
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with colleagues and clients at all levels
• Ability to explain complex legal matters in straightforward, practical terms
• Exercise sound judgement, also basing your decision-making process on ethics and integrity
• Creating strong relationships based on trust with key stakeholders – e.g. clients, management, external counsel, regulator
• Prioritisation and project management ability
• Able to work both individually and as part of teams
• Solutions-based approach
• Strategic thinking, identifying proactive solutions to eliminate or mitigate risks and advance the business
• Strong analytical skills and pragmatic approach to problem solving, with acumen to balance legal and commercial priorities
• Strong commercial acumen, understanding financial drivers to client structures
• Drive to continually improve processes and seek new challenges
• Ability to work well under pressure, working accurately with attention to detail, and meeting deadlines
• Contribute towards the risk control environment of the company
• Willingness to travel occasionally