Legal Counsel (Fixed Term) - EMEA & APAC - London

We are passionate about our business and our culture, and are seeking individuals with that same drive.

About Moelis & Company

Moelis & Company is a leading global independent investment bank that provides innovative strategic advice and solutions to a diverse client base, including corporations, governments and financial sponsors. The Firm assists its clients in achieving their strategic goals by offering comprehensive integrated financial advisory services across all major industry sectors. Moelis & Company’s experienced professionals advise clients on their most critical decisions, including mergers and acquisitions, recapitalizations and restructurings, capital markets transactions, and other corporate finance matters. The Firm serves its clients from 21 geographic locations in North and South America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australia.

Overview of the Legal & Compliance Team

The Legal & Compliance function at Moelis & Company provides strategic, commercial and regulatory advice to support the Firm’s global advisory business. The team partners closely with investment bankers and corporate functions to manage legal and regulatory risk while enabling the Firm’s continued growth across jurisdictions. Operating in a fast-paced, cross-border environment, the team delivers pragmatic, solutions-focused advice on transactional, regulatory and operational matters. Moelis’ collaborative and entrepreneurial culture empowers Legal & Compliance professionals to take ownership, engage directly with senior stakeholders, and have meaningful impact on the Firm’s business.

Position Description:

This is a London-based maternity cover role within Moelis & Company’s integrated Legal & Compliance team. The Legal Counsel will support a broad range of legal, regulatory and commercial matters across EMEA and APAC, covering jurisdictions including the UK, France, the Netherlands, Germany, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, India, Hong Kong and China. Reporting to the EMEA & APAC Head of Legal and working as part of a team of eight, the role offers significant exposure to the transactional and operational aspects of a global investment banking business. The successful candidate will work closely with senior bankers and business stakeholders, providing hands-on legal support in a high-performance environment.

Responsibilities:

• Provide transactional legal support on customary investment banking matters, including negotiating engagement letters, non-disclosure agreements and other transaction-related documentation.
• Act as a trusted legal adviser to investment bankers and support functions (including HR, Finance and IT), responding to day-to-day legal queries.
• Assist the Head of Legal on strategic and operational legal matters relating to the Firm’s EMEA and APAC operations.
• Work closely with Legal and Compliance colleagues on regulatory matters, including licensing applications and regulatory enquiries.
• Support the development and delivery of legal and regulatory training in collaboration with the Compliance team.
• Monitor legal and regulatory developments across relevant jurisdictions and assess their impact on the Firm’s business, policies and processes.
• Support business growth initiatives, including the establishment of legal and regulatory frameworks in new jurisdictions.
• Negotiate commercial and service provider contracts.
• Oversee periodic corporate filings across EMEA and APAC.
• Undertake project work as required, including collaboration with the global Legal & Compliance team on firmwide initiatives.

Qualifications and Experience

• 6-10 years’ post-qualification experience.
• Qualified corporate / M&A lawyer (England & Wales or US qualified) from a top-tier law firm or investment bank.
• Strong exposure to M&A and investment banking transactions is essential.
• In-house experience (including via secondment) is highly desirable.
• Regulatory experience is not essential, though exposure to regulatory issues is advantageous.
• Proven ability to work proactively in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical, communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage effectively with senior stakeholders globally.
• Self-motivated, flexible and willing to take on responsibility beyond traditional role boundaries.
• Cross-border experience and/or language skills are desirable but not required.

We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to promoting diversity, preventing discrimination and providing a supportive and inclusive working environment. We seek to ensure that we recruit from a diverse talent pool and that all applicants are treated fairly at each stage of the recruitment process. Applicants are considered for employment opportunities without regard to any characteristic or status protected under any applicable law in the location of the role.