At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide legal support across banking operations, ensuring compliance and managing disputes.
- Company: Join an international bank as their first in-house lawyer in London.
- Benefits: Flexible working, exposure to diverse banking products, and career growth opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborative team culture with opportunities to broaden your skillset.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while developing your legal expertise.
- Qualifications: Qualified solicitor or barrister with 2-6 years PQE in financial services.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
We've partnered with an international bank seeking to hire its first in-house lawyer in London. This broad role will combine commercial legal work with exposure to corporate governance, regulatory matters, and business operations. Offering flexible working and exposure to a wide range of banking products and services, it's an excellent opportunity for a lawyer looking to grow within a dynamic environment.
What you'll do:
- Provide comprehensive legal support across all business areas by negotiating, reviewing, and managing legal matters while controlling costs and expediting case resolution.
- Deliver clear, concise, and timely legal advice to various departments, ensuring compliance with internal policies and UK regulatory requirements.
- Monitor changes in laws and regulations, review new legislation and market developments, and advise on necessary actions to maintain compliance.
- Manage disputes effectively by overseeing outsourcing decisions, ensuring suitable legal representation, and reporting litigation matters to senior management.
- Oversee corporate governance activities including committee meetings, statutory records maintenance, and regulatory compliance adherence.
- Handle Companies House obligations by filing statutory returns and maintaining registers according to applicable laws.
- Support directors in fulfilling fiduciary duties through training initiatives that ensure adherence to UK Corporate Governance requirements.
- Take initiative in managing institutional documentation such as agreements, terms and conditions, memoranda, transaction execution documents, confidentiality agreements, trade finance documentation, master agreements (ISDA/CSA), service level agreements, FX portal maintenance documents, and project implementation paperwork.
- Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders like Treasury, Middle Office, KYC teams, Sales, Compliance & Risk functions, Internal Audit, Administration, and HR to draft agreements and negotiate terms.
- Review agreements alongside external legal advisers and internal compliance teams; provide robust legal analysis that supports positive commercial outcomes.
What you bring:
- English law qualified solicitor or barrister with 2-6 years PQE, gained at a UK-regulated bank or financial services firm.
- Proven ability to deliver high-quality legal advice within a regulated environment while demonstrating strong compliance commitment.
- Exceptional organisational skills enabling you to manage varied workloads efficiently under tight deadlines.
- Excellent communication skills paired with influencing abilities that foster collaboration across departments.
- Resilience under pressure combined with professionalism; able to remain calm when facing complex challenges.
- Meticulous attention to detail ensuring accuracy in all documentation reviews or drafting assignments.
- Willingness to work collaboratively within a small team environment; eager to broaden skillset across business operations.
- Experience working in legal teams with exposure to Treasury or Back/Middle Office functions within banking or financial institutions.
- Familiarity with trade finance products or treasury matters is advantageous but not mandatory.
- Advanced understanding of institutional documentation management including contract negotiation is desirable.
Should this be of interest, please apply below.
Sole Counsel - International Bank (London) employer: Robert Walters
As an international bank, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and inclusive work environment that prioritises employee growth and development. Our London office offers flexible working arrangements and the opportunity to engage with a diverse range of banking products and services, making it an ideal place for legal professionals looking to expand their expertise while contributing to meaningful projects. Join us to be part of a collaborative team that values innovation and compliance in the ever-evolving financial landscape.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sole Counsel - International Bank (London)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the banking and legal sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the bank's culture and values. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their needs. Practise common interview questions, but also be ready for curveballs that test your problem-solving skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! Bring examples of your past work that demonstrate your ability to handle complex legal matters and compliance issues. Use specific cases where you’ve made a significant impact, especially in a regulated environment.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and reinforces your professionalism.
We think you need these skills to ace Sole Counsel - International Bank (London)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the job description. Highlight your legal expertise, especially in commercial law and regulatory compliance, to show us you're the right fit for this role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're interested in this position and how your background aligns with the responsibilities outlined. Keep it concise but impactful, showing us your personality and passion.
Showcase Relevant Experience:When detailing your experience, focus on roles where you've managed legal matters or worked closely with compliance teams. We want to see how you've navigated complex legal landscapes and contributed to business operations.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates regarding your application status!
How to prepare for a job interview at Robert Walters
✨Know Your Legal Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of UK banking regulations and corporate governance. Familiarise yourself with recent changes in laws that could impact the role, as well as key banking products and services. This will show that you're not just a lawyer, but someone who understands the business landscape.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since this role involves collaborating with various departments, practice articulating complex legal concepts in simple terms. Prepare examples of how you've successfully communicated legal advice in the past, especially in high-pressure situations. This will demonstrate your ability to influence and foster collaboration.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific legal scenarios or disputes. Think through potential challenges you might face in this role and prepare your responses. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers effectively.
✨Demonstrate Your Organisational Skills
This position requires managing a varied workload under tight deadlines. Be prepared to discuss how you prioritise tasks and manage time effectively. Share examples from your previous roles where you successfully juggled multiple responsibilities while maintaining attention to detail.
