Corporate and Strategic Equities Legal Counsel Vice President

As an EMEA Corporate and Strategic Equities Legal Counsel – Vice President in the Markets Legal team, you will have the opportunity to develop your skills and knowledge by working on a variety of complex and innovative transactions. This is a technically challenging role where you will build a comprehensive understanding of the legal and product aspects of equity derivatives and margin loan transactions. You will join a well-established, high calibre and supportive team, working with other members of the legal team, the business and support functions.

The Corporate and Strategic Equities team is part of J.P. Morgan's Markets line of business, within its Commercial & Investment Bank. The business covers a wide range of products and situations in the equities markets, from financing significant shareholdings to helping clients gain strategic exposure to issuers using a variety of equity derivatives. You will support that business by providing trusted advice on legal, regulatory and commercial issues and drafting and negotiating documentation in a variety of formats. You will apply sound judgment to identify, analyse and mitigate legal and regulatory risk. The role is transaction-focused and covers clients across the Europe, Middle East and Africa region as part of a wider global legal team.

Job responsibilities

• Provide expert legal and regulatory support to the business, from inception to transaction close, including drafting, reviewing and negotiating complex transaction documentation and collaborating with external counsel where required.
• Advise on strategic equity derivatives and LMA-based margin loan facilities, including the documentation of security interests over underlying shares, as well as bespoke structures.
• Proactively identify, analyse and mitigate legal, regulatory and other risks arising in relation to corporate and strategic equities transactions.
• Liaise with legal colleagues in other jurisdictions on cross-border transactions and collaborate effectively with Compliance and other internal risk and control functions.
• Advise on regulatory changes and drive process, documentation and efficiency improvements across coverage areas, with a focus on legal operational excellence.

Required qualifications,  skills and capabilities 

• Licensed to practise law in England & Wales or a similar jurisdiction 
• Qualified lawyer with 4+ years’ post-qualification experience at a leading law firm or leading financial institution, with experience in derivatives and excellent drafting skills
• Familiarity with ISDA documentation for OTC equity derivatives 
• Ability to critically analyse complex structures and situations, demonstrating good judgment and proactive risk management
• Strong organisational and communication skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Knowledge of UK and EU laws and regulations governing equity derivatives and significant shareholdings
• Strong collaboration skills and an ability to work both independently and as part of a team

Preferred qualifications,  skills and capabilities 

• Familiarity with LMA-style margin loans and the taking of security over shares