At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide legal advice on financial regulations and negotiate commercial agreements.
- Company: Join a leading financial services firm with a collaborative and innovative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to mentor and collaborate across teams.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the financial sector while developing your legal expertise.
- Qualifications: Law degree and significant experience in financial services law required.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
This is a Senior Legal Counsel role, in financial services, covering a broad range of regulatory and commercial matters, supporting Russell Investments’ UK and EMEA operations. The successful candidate will work closely with business, compliance, risk, finance, HR and senior management colleagues.
Key elements of the role include:
- Advising on UK and relevant European financial services laws and regulations impacting investment management and regulated firms.
- Drafting, reviewing and negotiating commercial agreements, including investment management, distribution, service provider and confidentiality agreements.
- Supporting regulatory authorisations, notifications and interactions with regulators.
- Supporting the development and review of policies, procedures, disclosures and other legal documentation.
- Instructing and managing external counsel, including defining the scope of advice and monitoring costs.
- Supporting group wide projects such as business reorganisations and transactions.
- Keeping up to date with relevant legal and regulatory developments and explaining their impact to the business.
- Contributing to the development of the legal team’s processes, knowledge and documentation.
The responsibilities of the individual in this position include:
- Regulatory and legal advice: Providing authoritative advice on UK financial services regulation, including FCA requirements, MiFID II, EMIR, GDPR, UCITS and AIFMD, and assessing how legal and regulatory developments affect the firm.
- Advising on legal and fiduciary matters, new legislation and regulatory change and coordinating appropriate responses with Compliance, Risk, business leaders and other legal colleagues.
- Supporting specialist lawyers on UK, Irish and Luxembourg fund ranges and related regulatory questions.
- Commercial agreements and negotiation: Review and negotiation of IMAs with clients and third-party investment managers.
- Participating in client onboarding as required.
- Participating in governance process eg obtaining board and investment committee approvals.
- Negotiation of ISDAs and other trading documents.
- Keeping precedents up to date with regulatory and business requirements.
- Reviewing and negotiating commercial contracts, service contracts and intra-group delegation contracts.
- Performing legal research relevant to meet the company's requirements.
Regulatory change and projects: Conducting legal research into changes in law, regulation and industry practice and translating them into practical guidance, documentation updates and implementation plans. Supporting regulatory projects involving multiple teams.
Stakeholder partnership: Serving as a trusted adviser to business colleagues; explaining legal options, risks and trade-offs clearly and making considered recommendations. Supporting new products, services and business initiatives, balancing legal and fiduciary obligations with business objectives. Contributing to alignment across stakeholders with differing priorities and helping negotiate sound changes across functions.
Governance and external counsel: Supporting governance processes across relevant subsidiaries and fund complexes, working with internal legal and business stakeholders to resolve complex matters. Managing relationships with outside counsel and other in-house legal resources, setting clear instructions and coordinating advice with the needs of the business.
The successful candidate will have extensive demonstrable skills and experiences including the following:
- Law degree, or another degree followed by a recognised legal qualification is essential.
- Qualified solicitor or barrister admitted to practise in the UK, or admitted in another common-law jurisdiction with substantial UK legal and regulatory experience required.
- Significant post-qualification experience in financial services law, including substantial UK regulatory work and experience advising an asset management business.
- Demonstrated experience handling complex commercial agreements, regulatory projects and senior stakeholder matters.
- Strong negotiation, legal drafting and project management skills.
- Private-practice training and in-house asset-management experience are valued.
- Experience mentoring or supervising colleagues is desirable.
- Knowledge of and interest in UK financial services regulation; ability to analyse complex legal issues, draft and negotiate significant agreements, and translate requirements into practical actions.
- Understanding of and interest in asset management, financial services products and fund structures, including how legal and regulatory obligations affect business decisions.
- Strong judgment and integrity.
- Executive-level communication and influence.
- Calm decision-making under pressure.
- Ability to manage competing stakeholder needs.
- Initiative, resilience, collaboration and commitment to developing others.
Senior Legal Counsel employer: Russell Investments
At Russell Investments, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that champions innovation and sustainability. As a Senior Research Analyst, you will have access to unparalleled growth opportunities within a collaborative environment, where your contributions directly impact our commitment to responsible investing. Located in a vibrant city, our team enjoys a flexible work-life balance, comprehensive benefits, and the chance to be at the forefront of sustainable finance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Legal Counsel
✨Get Involved in Law Societies
Join local law societies and attend their events – they're often a goldmine for networking and job opportunities in the legal field. Plus, it’s a great way to meet other budding lawyers and experienced solicitors who could provide vital insights and connections.
✨Tap into Online Legal Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online platforms like LinkedIn and specific legal forums. Get active in discussions or share your thoughts on recent legal developments – this not only builds your visibility but also showcases your passion and knowledge in law.
✨Attend Career Fairs and Workshops
Look out for career fairs and workshops specifically focused on law. Many law firms, including Russell Investments, will be scouting for fresh talent, so bring your A-game and don’t shy away from making a memorable impression.
✨Leverage Your University’s Career Services
If you’re still in university or have recently graduated, latch onto your career services! They often have connections with law firms looking for graduates and can guide you through the application process tailored for the legal sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Legal Counsel
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Legal Knowledge:When applying for a full-time role in legal services at Russell Investments, make sure to demonstrate your understanding of key legal principles and areas of law relevant to the position. Include any specific coursework, modules, or certifications, like LPC or BPTC qualifications, that showcase your legal expertise directly on your CV.
Showcase Your Research Skills:In the legal field, strong research skills are crucial. Use your application to illustrate how you've utilised these skills in past studies or work experiences – whether that's through past internships or significant projects. Mention any legal databases or tools you’re proficient in, as this can give you an edge.
Tailor That Cover Letter!:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Make it personal by expressing your genuine interest in Russell Investments and the specific role of Senior Legal Counsel. Talk about why you want to be part of their team, how your unique experiences align with their values, and why you’re passionate about the legal sector.
Stay Formal but Friendly:While we all know the legal world can be pretty formal, don’t be afraid to let a bit of personality shine through in your written application. Use a respectful tone, but feel free to inject a little warmth; this approach can help you stand out and show you're a great fit for Russell Investments’s culture!
How to prepare for a job interview at Russell Investments
✨Know Your Legal Principles
Brush up on foundational legal principles relevant to the specific area of law you’re applying for, whether it’s corporate, criminal, or family law. We might get asked situational questions to test your knowledge, so being articulate about key concepts will make you stand out.
✨Be Ready for Case Studies
Full-time legal roles often involve case studies during interviews. Prepare to analyse a hypothetical case and discuss your approach to it. Practising this with a peer or mentor can help us refine our reasoning and articulate a solid legal argument.
✨Show Off Your Research Skills
As legal professionals, strong research skills are a must. Have examples ready of how you've effectively used legal databases or conducted thorough legal research in your past experiences. It's a great way to demonstrate your readiness for the role at Russell Investments.
✨Exude Professionalism and Confidence
In the legal field, professionalism is key. During the interview, we should maintain good eye contact and communicate clearly to show that we’re not just knowledgeable, but also confident. This can make a positive impression on your potential colleagues at Russell Investments.
