Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide strategic legal advice and negotiate key financial agreements in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Join a leading global financial services firm with a dynamic and collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth opportunities, and exposure to senior management.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a high-profile role with global exposure and substantial responsibility.
- Qualifications: Qualified lawyer with 5+ years' experience in derivatives and financial products.
- Other info: Mentorship opportunities and a chance to shape legal processes within the team.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We are seeking an experienced and commercially minded Senior Legal Counsel to join our Commercial Legal team on a permanent, full-time basis. The team provides legal support to the European, Middle Eastern and APAC businesses of BGC, GFI, Aurel and Cantor Fitzgerald, as well as the global FENICS technology businesses.
This is a senior, high-profile position offering genuine global exposure, substantial responsibility, and regular interaction with senior management and business leaders. The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting and advising the firm’s agency brokerage businesses (primarily FX and cleared interest rate swaps) and prime brokerage desk (focusing on equity swaps and cash lending), as well as a range of other commercial workstreams across the group.
The role requires a confident and adaptable lawyer who thrives in a fast-paced environment, is able to manage competing priorities, and can deliver pragmatic, business-focused advice under pressure.
Key Responsibilities- Draft, review and negotiate a wide range of commercial and financial documentation, including:
- ISDA Master Agreements and related documentation for equity and FX swaps.
- Prime brokerage agreements for cash lending and collateralised products.
- Global Master Securities Lending Agreements (GMSLA) and Global Master Repurchase Agreements (GMRA).
- Cleared execution derivatives agreements, give-up agreements for FX, and account control or security documentation.
- Confidentiality agreements, intra-group guarantees and other commercial contracts.
- Qualified lawyer (England & Wales or Commonwealth jurisdiction).
- Minimum 5+ years’ PQE, with significant experience in derivatives, prime brokerage and/or structured financial products.
- Strong background in financial services, ideally gained in-house within a major institution or from a leading private practice.
- Excellent understanding of ISDA documentation, collateral arrangements, and related regulatory frameworks (e.g., EMIR, MiFID II).
- Proven ability to manage complex negotiations and multiple stakeholders across regions.
- A confident, pragmatic self-starter who can work independently and exercise sound judgement.
- Highly organised, responsive and capable of managing competing demands effectively.
- Strong interpersonal skills, able to build trust and credibility with business and control function stakeholders.
- Commercially astute with a solutions-focused approach.
- Demonstrates leadership qualities and the ability to guide or mentor junior colleagues.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex legal concepts into clear, practical guidance.
- Builds strong relationships across business, compliance, risk, and operations teams.
- Demonstrates an understanding of client objectives and delivers tailored, commercially relevant advice.
- Collaborative and supportive within the wider legal function, sharing expertise and best practice.
Senior Legal Counsel - Commercial in London employer: BGC Group
Contact Detail:
BGC Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Legal Counsel - Commercial in London
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend legal events, join relevant LinkedIn groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out to former colleagues or classmates. You never know who might have a lead on that perfect Senior Legal Counsel role.
✨Ace the Informational Interview
Set up informal chats with professionals already working in the field. This is your chance to learn about their experiences and get insider tips on what companies are looking for. Plus, it’s a great way to make a lasting impression!
✨Showcase Your Expertise
When you get the chance to meet potential employers, be ready to discuss your experience with ISDA documentation and derivatives. Bring examples of how you've navigated complex negotiations and delivered pragmatic advice. This will show them you’re the real deal!
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to check out our website for job openings! Applying directly through our site can give you an edge, as we love seeing candidates who are proactive and genuinely interested in joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Legal Counsel - Commercial in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Legal Counsel role. Highlight your experience with derivatives, prime brokerage, and structured financial products. We want to see how your background aligns with what we’re looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for our Commercial Legal team. Share specific examples of your past work that demonstrate your ability to provide pragmatic, business-focused advice.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since excellent communication is key in this role, make sure your application reflects that. Use clear and concise language, and don’t shy away from showing your personality. We love a confident self-starter!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss any important updates from our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at BGC Group
✨Know Your Legal Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of ISDA documentation, derivatives, and prime brokerage agreements. Be ready to discuss specific cases where you've successfully navigated complex negotiations or provided strategic legal advice.
✨Show Your Commercial Mindset
During the interview, highlight your ability to provide business-focused legal advice. Share examples of how you've partnered with front and back office teams to align legal strategies with commercial objectives, demonstrating your understanding of the financial services landscape.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Since this role involves mentoring junior team members, be prepared to talk about your leadership experiences. Discuss how you've guided colleagues in the past and how you can contribute to the continuous improvement of legal processes within the team.
✨Build Rapport with Interviewers
Strong interpersonal skills are key for this position. Practice building rapport by engaging with your interviewers, asking insightful questions, and showing genuine interest in their perspectives. This will help you establish trust and credibility right from the start.
