Legal Counsel

External Overview:

The Legal Counsel role is a commercially focused legal role supporting MUFG Corporate Markets, a division of MUFG Pension & Market Services, across the UK and EMEA.  You will be based on a hybrid basis from our stunning office in the city of London, so you’ll need to be within a commutable distance to enable you to be in the office with your colleagues each week.

The role holder will work closely with the Head of Legal, MUFG Corporate Markets EMEA across a varied portfolio of commercial contracts, regulatory and governance matters and practical day-to-day legal issues that directly support client delivery and business growth.  You will partner with a variety of stakeholders from business leaders to client relationship managers, coordinating cross-border advice across multiple jurisdictions.

With a particular focus on capital markets and corporate services, the role will suit a 4+ years PQE, pragmatic lawyer who enjoys understanding how a business operates, translating legal risk into clear advice and helping stakeholders reach workable commercial outcomes, while offering opportunities to build experience across transactions, cross-border matters, process improvement and industry change.

Whilst we are looking for a full time Legal Counsel who is 4+ years PQE, we would also consider applications from a Senior Counsel who may wish to work flexible part time hours.

Please note that this role is part of a global team and a level of flexibility will be required outside standard working hours to enable global collaboration.

You’ll get the chance to follow your chosen career path anywhere in MUFG Pension & Market Services, joining a network of experienced, innovative and dedicated individuals across multiple teams and countries.  There are numerous opportunities to learn new skills and develop in your career with the support you need to succeed.

What you need:

As with any role, we want to find the right person and we want to make sure you know it’s the right role for you too.  You will need:

•    To be a qualified solicitor in England and Wales, 4+ years’ post-qualification experience in private practice, in-house or a combination of both

•    Strong corporate and commercial contract drafting and negotiation experience

•    Demonstrated experience with and knowledge of UK and EU data protection laws

•    Experience providing practical advice on disputes or operational legal issues

•    An interest in legal operations, knowledge management and the effective use of technology

•    A commercial and pragmatic outlook, with a solutions-focused approach to legal advice and the ability to identify the key legal issues and communicate a clear recommended position

•    The confidence to deal directly with clients, external lawyers and senior internal stakeholders, combining a collaborative working style with the confidence and judgement to progress matters independently

•    The ability to manage multiple wide-ranging matters, competing priorities and short transaction or client deadlines in a calm an accurate manner

•    Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to adapt your style to different audiences whilst delivering clear legal advice and training

•    Sound judgement regarding when to resolve issues independently and when to escalate or seek specialist external advice

It would be nice to have:

•    Experience working within an FCA-regulated or other regulated financial services environment would be advantageous

•    The ability to work effectively with Compliance, Risk and business stakeholders

Day to Day, you will:

•    Draft, review and negotiate commercial contracts with corporate clients and vendors, independently managing negotiations in writing and on calls with clients and their legal advisers

•    Advise business leaders on legal risks and issues affecting the business, with a focus on clear recommendations and commercially workable outcomes

•    Provide practical legal advice on disputes and operational legal issues as they arise.

•    Provide pragmatic legal advice in relation to share registration and employee share plan administration, including FCA rules where applicable

•    Work with commercial, operational, risk and compliance stakeholders to develop solutions that protect the business while supporting client delivery and sustainable growth

•    Support cross-border matters involving overseas clients and service arrangements, including coordinating local-law advice, legal opinions and external counsel across relevant jurisdictions

•    Take ownership of matters, identify priorities, progress work with appropriate independence and escalate material legal, operational or commercial risks where necessary

•    Build trusted relationships across the business and provide training to business units as needed

•    Demonstrate curiosity and a willingness to develop expertise in unfamiliar areas, with support from the Head of Legal and the wider team

•    Create and improve legal processes, including maintaining templates and using legal technology tools to drive efficiency

•    Contribute to practical improvements in how legal support is delivered across Corporate Markets

The accountabilities above are not exhaustive and may change from time to time based on business needs. 

Benefits:

26 days annual leave, plus a wellbeing day and a volunteer day, bank holidays and the opportunity to buy up to 5 days’ extra each year

Parental leave and Gender Transition leave

Health, wellbeing and lifestyle rewards and discounts that can be tailored to support you and your family.  Everything from: Discounts on retail and socialising; Travel and technology; cycle2work scheme; A host of gym and fitness subscriptions; Car Salary Sacrifice scheme

Appreciate programme: Employee recognition for colleagues demonstrating our values

Company Pension Scheme and Life Assurance

Employee Assistance Programme

Talent Referral Programme

Medical insurance

Learning & Development – Development opportunities at your fingertips via self-paced learning and access to LinkedIn Learning