Legal Counsel

Main Responsibilities

• Member of the legal team in charge of the trade finance transactions, namely (i) commodities trade finance transactions (including repo transactions), (ii) export finance transactions, (iii) discounting transactions (including promissory notes and drafts) and (iv) corporate trade finance transactions (including issuance/ confirmation of guarantees, letters of credit, SBLCs and similar trade finance instruments).
• Specialist lawyer for trade finance transactions involved at all relevant stages of the above mentioned transactions (including structuring, negotiation and signing phases).
• Duties include (but are not limited to):
  • providing advice, drafting, reviewing and negotiating documentation,
  • liaising with external counsel,
  • monitoring legal and regulatory developments and market trends,
  • training and advising front office bankers, agency team, middle office, back office, syndication, innovation trade finance department on applicable aspects of trade finance activities,
  • provide legal contributions internally (including to credit and new product committees), and
  • coordinate internally with other legal departments or foreign branches, compliance, tax, middle office and risk departments as appropriate.

Key Skills

• English qualified lawyer with a minimum of 5 years' PQE.
• Excellent academics and strong analytical skills.
• Experience in trade financing activities gained at a top city law firm potentially complemented by in-house experience.
• Experience in each of the individual trade activities mentioned above is a plus but not a prerequisite.
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and key stakeholders, strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to prioritise effectively and operate under pressure.
• Team oriented with the ability to respond and be flexible to client demands, whist adhering to firm policies and group practices.
• Ability to identify and manage legal risks and elevate as required.
• Excellent communication skills (both written and oral) and client management skills.

Overall Purpose

Experienced legal counsel for Global Trade activities, specifically specialist lawyer for commodities trade finance transactions, export finance and corporate trade finance transactions.