Our client

Our client is looking for a Legal Counsel reporting to and working closely with the General Counsel of the firm across a broad range of hedge fund related legal and regulatory compliance issues. The hire will be a senior member of a growing legal and compliance team with the ability to work independently across various workstreams, as well as potentially manage others over time.

Key responsibilities

• Working with the General Counsel and wider legal team to understand and advise on the impact of global financial regulation for the firm (for example, new SEC private fund adviser rules, SEC marketing rules, FCA rules, MAS regulation in Singapore etc).
• Assisting with the development of new policies where necessary and educating business groups and management.
• Assisting with legal review of the firm s various regulatory filings and reporting.
• Keeping abreast of regulatory developments via close contacts with advisers and industry bodies, contacts and working groups.
• Working closely with the firm s compliance professionals to ensure the firm has a clear understanding of the global regulatory framework and obligations to which it is subject. Provide legal advisory support to the firm s business development and investor relations activities.
• This includes analysis of local marketing regulations, handling investor legal queries, investor side letter review and negotiation, oversight of side letter monitoring framework and assisting, review of marketing materials, and development of marketing / investor relations policies. Assessing legal issues raised by new business projects - new funds / seed investments / counterparties, vehicles or products.
• Assisting with legal and regulatory aspects of new office locations or overseas hires.
• Assisting with day-to-day legal work generated by business activities (NDAs, engagement letters, terms of business etc.)
• Develop excellent relationships across the firm including with the Investment Team, Business Development, Investor Relations and Research Risk, Operations, Middle Office, Finance, Fund Control, Investor Relations and Research.
• Assist the General Counsel and other senior members of the firm in developing a robust infrastructure and controls framework, and strong governance and record keeping processes.

Experience requirements

• The ideal candidate will have strong background in, and understanding of, the legal and regulatory framework and documentation applicable to hedge fund formation, governance, and marketing and an understanding of the regulatory framework applicable to UK alternative fund managers and offshore funds.
• The candidate should also have a solid grounding in a wider range of legal issues, such as general commercial contract negotiation and corporate governance.
• Private Equity and Credit experience would be of interest.
• A minimum of 3-5+ years PQE doing hedge / alternative funds work in a leading law firm, as well as experience of working in the in-house legal department of a hedge fund manager or asset management firm.
• Some knowledge of global regulation applicable to financial markets / hedge fund managers (including AIFMD, MiFID2 / MIFIR, EMIR, SMCR, SEC and CFTC regulations) as well rules applicable to fund marketing and distribution will be highly beneficial.
• Ability to manage workstreams across a broad range of subject areas and deadlines in a fast-moving environment, and work collaboratively in project teams and develop excellent relationships with colleagues from other business areas.
• Strong enthusiasm for legal aspects hedge-funds of financial regulation, a desire to work hard in a dynamic environment and help build the profile and reputation of the firm s legal function in a fast-growing firm.
• Strong academics, intellectual curiosity, problem solving mindset with an ability to work independently, as well as potentially manage others over time.

Due to the high volume of applications, if you haven t heard back from the team on this role, unfortunately your application has been unsuccessful. If your profile matches any of our other opportunities, one of our consultants will be in touch.

About Simmons & Hanbury

Simmons & Hanbury is a specialist executive search firm that sources and secures the best human capital and future leaders for our clients. We provide an integrated international service to support our clients across the globe, from our group headquarters based in the heart of the City of London. We support some of the most prestigious organisations in the world, across financial services, commerce & industry, and professional services. Our services include executive search and market intelligence within the Legal, Compliance and Corporate Governance practice areas, while our Legal Services division Hanbury Partners provides flexible consultancy arrangements. We facilitate secondments for senior lawyers into in-house legal departments and law firms, and source specialist lawyers for bespoke projects.