At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a dynamic legal team, advising on complex trade finance transactions across EMEA.
- Company: Leading international financial institution with a collaborative and innovative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive day rate, hybrid working, and exposure to high-value transactions.
- Other info: 12-month contract with opportunities for professional growth and networking.
- Why this job: Make an impact in trade finance while developing your legal expertise in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: Qualified lawyer with 4+ years' PQE in trade finance and banking.
Location: London
Working Pattern: Hybrid – 2/3 days per week in the office
Duration: 12 months
Rate: Competitive day rate
A leading international financial institution is looking to appoint an experienced Legal Counsel to join its London-based Legal team on a 12-month contract. The role sits within the Asset Finance & Corporate Lending function and will have a particular focus on Trade Finance, supporting the business across a broad range of complex and high-value transactions across the EMEA region.
The Role
- Work closely with senior business stakeholders, advising on the structuring and execution of transactions and providing pragmatic, commercially focused legal advice.
- Draft, review and negotiate a broad range of trade finance documentation, including letters of credit, guarantees, supply chain finance arrangements, receivables purchase agreements, trade loans and risk participations.
- Advise on asset finance, corporate lending and general banking documentation, including facility and security documents.
- Support complex and bespoke transactions across multiple jurisdictions.
- Advise on legal, structuring, due diligence and execution matters.
- Work closely with Front Office, operational and back-office teams and other senior stakeholders across the business.
- Monitor relevant regulatory and market developments affecting trade finance.
- Identify and mitigate legal, regulatory and reputational risk.
- Support wider legal projects, process improvements and legal technology/AI initiatives.
About You
- Qualified lawyer with 4+ years' PQE and strong experience in trade finance and general banking, gained either in-house or within a leading law firm/financial institution.
- Strong experience handling complex trade finance transactions across multiple jurisdictions.
- Excellent knowledge of market-standard trade finance documentation, including BAFT and LMA documentation.
- Familiarity with relevant trade finance products, structures and ICC rules.
- Strong drafting, negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
- The ability to provide commercially focused advice and work with a high degree of autonomy.
- Experience managing multiple matters and competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- A proactive and collaborative approach, with the ability to build strong relationships with senior stakeholders.
This is an excellent opportunity for a Trade Finance lawyer to join a sophisticated financial services legal team, working on a broad and varied portfolio of transactions with significant exposure across the EMEA business. Please note: This is a 12-month contract role paid on a day-rate basis.
Interim Legal Counsel - Trade Finance in City of London employer: LHH
LHH is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee development and engagement, particularly in the vibrant city of Exeter. With a strong focus on fostering a collaborative work culture, employees are encouraged to grow their skills and advance their careers while making a meaningful impact on organisational performance. The company offers competitive benefits and a supportive environment that values innovation and continuous improvement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Interim Legal Counsel - Trade Finance in City of London
✨Join Financial Networking Events
Jump into local finance meetups and conferences — they’re a goldmine for temporary roles in banking and financial services. You can chat with industry professionals and even get leads on upcoming opportunities that might not be posted online yet.
✨Utilise Temp Agencies Specialised in Finance
Reach out to temp agencies that focus on the banking sector. They often have strong ties with various firms and can help you secure short-term gigs that can help beef up your CV and get your foot in the door at firms like LHH.
✨Connect with Alumni from Your Uni
Don't underestimate the power of your university’s alumni network. Many former students are working in banking and can help you find temporary roles or even offer mentorship. Reach out directly or attend alumni events to broaden your circle.
✨Stay Active on Job Boards and Company Websites
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards specifically for finance roles. Companies like LHH might post temporary positions directly on their sites, so make sure to apply there too. Set alerts to catch those roles the moment they go live!
We think you need these skills to ace Interim Legal Counsel - Trade Finance in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Academic Achievements:In banking and financial services, your academic record can really make you stand out. List relevant grades, certifications, or coursework on your CV, especially if you've taken finance-related modules. This is particularly important for a temporary role where qualifications can help you shine even brighter!
Highlight Relevant Experience:If you’ve done any internships, part-time roles, or even coursework that aligns with banking or finance, make sure you include those! Showcase specific tasks where you used quantitative skills or analytical thinking, as this is what the hiring managers at LHH will be keen to see in your application.
Tailor Your Cover Letter Purposefully:When writing your cover letter, focus on why you’re interested in a temporary position at LHH. Let them know how you can quickly adapt to the team's needs and how eager you are to learn the ropes of the banking sector during this short stint. Your motivation and enthusiasm could really set you apart!
Be Prepared with References:For temporary roles, references can play a crucial role in your application. Make sure you’ve got a couple of references lined up who can vouch for your skills and work ethic. This helps to give LHH confidence in your short-term commitment to the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at LHH
✨Brush Up on Financial Regulations
Since this is a role in banking and financial services, be ready to discuss key regulations like MiFID, Basel III, or GDPR. These are hot topics, and your awareness of how they impact daily operations can give you a significant edge during your interview with LHH.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare for interview questions that assess your analytical abilities. You might need to tackle hypothetical scenarios involving risk assessment or financial forecasting. Bringing examples of relevant projects or coursework can emphasise your practical understanding of these concepts.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
For a temporary role, showing that you can quickly pick up new processes and tools is crucial. Be ready to discuss previous experiences where you had to adapt to changing requirements or tight deadlines, as this will reassure LHH that you’re a reliable team player.
✨Demonstrate a Willingness to Learn
In a temporary position, leaning into your eagerness to learn can really set you apart. Be prepared to share how you’re staying updated on industry trends or any additional training you've pursued. Employers appreciate candidates who are proactive about their development—even for short-term roles.
