Assistant General Counsel (London)

Kroll Bond Rating Agency UK Limited and its affiliates (“KBRA”) are seeking an Assistant General Counsel to join the Legal Department. You will be enthusiastic, highly motivated, have a strong work ethic and be well‑equipped to work closely with other members of the Legal Department on various matters.

The Legal Department handles all of KBRA’s legal matters, with the exception of ratings analysis and determinations. The Legal Department works with analysts, compliance, finance, technology and senior management across the company.

As an Assistant General Counsel, your responsibilities may span a broad range of in‑house legal matters and may include:

• Review, negotiation and drafting of client engagement letters; subscription agreements with clients across various product offerings; vendor agreements for various types of services and products; and management of KBRA’s contracts.
• Support corporate governance matters, including assisting with board and committee meetings, preparation of materials, and related governance processes and documentation.
• Review, negotiate and draft engagement letters with clients across all sectors in which KBRA issues ratings, including structured finance, project finance, and financial institutions.
• Gain familiarity with data privacy laws in the jurisdictions in which KBRA operates, collaborate with the Information Security team on best practices across jurisdictions, and support the implementation of cybersecurity, operational resilience, and related regulatory requirements.
• Gain familiarity with the regulatory framework, laws and regulations applicable to credit rating agencies and advise KBRA’s employees about the applicability of regulations on KBRA’s day‑to‑day work.
• Collaborate with the Compliance Department on discrete and ongoing matters before the UK Financial Conduct Authority, European Securities and Market Authority, or US Securities and Exchange Commission.
• Collaborate with KBRA’s Regulatory and Government Affairs group to assist in research on credit rating agency regulation in other jurisdictions, the preparation of registration documents, and respond to regulatory requests.
• Assist with protecting KBRA’s intellectual property, including filing and managing trademark and copyright registrations, and negotiating license agreements.

You will be successful in this role if you have:

• A qualifying law degree (or equivalent) and are admitted to practise as a solicitor in England and Wales with a current practising certificate, or otherwise authorised to practise law in England and Wales.
• 6-14 years of post‑qualification experience.
• Strong experience in reviewing, drafting and negotiating agreements.
• Familiarity with corporate governance matters.
• Knowledge of securities laws and experience working in highly regulated environments.
• Experience with structured finance, capital markets, and mergers and acquisitions experience are a plus.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills. Writing samples may be requested.
• Strong research, analysis, organisational, and project management skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Employment law experience is a plus.
• Familiarity with Generative AI tools such as ChatGPT for research, data insights, and general productivity is a plus.

A flexible hybrid work schedule – Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays in the office. Competitive benefits and paid time off. Pension plan. Educational and professional development financial assistance. Employee referral bonus program.

KBRA (Kroll Bond Rating Agency, LLC) is a full‑service credit rating agency registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as an NRSRO.