Legal Counsel (Junior)

Role title: Legal Counsel

Reports to: Head of Legal

Location: Nationwide - remote or flexible from base location of London, Reading, Birmingham, Bath, Liverpool

Hours of work: 35 hours each week

SMCR Function: This is a Conduct Role

Purpose of role

The mid-level in-house lawyer is responsible for drafting, reviewing and negotiating a wide range of legal documentation, working with internal and external stakeholders to protect the legal interests of the whole Ascot Lloyd Group and its employees. It would suit a candidate with a financial services background who is looking to take on more responsibility. You will get the opportunity to work directly with the business and have open dialogue with senior management.

The Ascot Lloyd Group is a Private Equity backed highly acquisitive FCA regulated investment advice company which is in an exciting growth period.

Key Responsibilities - depending on experience and preference but could include:

• Drafting and negotiating general commercial contracts and documentation relevant to the Wealth Management business, including NDAs, letters of engagement, third party service agreements, commercial terms and conditions.
• Maintenance of the legal contract database.
• Drafting and reviewing asset management related documentation, including fund offering documents, service provider agreements,
• Assisting the business with respect to compliance with regulatory requirements for wealth and asset management related matters, including providing support with respect to AML/KYC queries.
• Integration - Working with the business on integration of newly acquired businesses, novation of contracts and supplier agreements, intragroup transfers and consultancy agreements, enforcement of restrictive covenants.
• Real Estate - review, manage and maintain property leases, negotiate in the best interests of Ascot Lloyd.
• Litigation - liaise with external counsel and support internal teams with respect to any litigation matters or disputes.
• M&A - Work with the Head of Legal to support the acquisition team on M&A, highlight risks during due diligence and ensure Ascot Lloyd is protected legally post M&A
• Company Secretarial - liaising with and providing support to an outsourced Company Secretary with respect to company secretarial matters, working with Head of Legal to prepare ad hoc shareholder resolutions as required from time to time. Providing assistance to the wider business team with the maintenance, review and update of delegated authorities, authorised signatory lists and bank mandates and provide advice to the business as required. Supporting on any changes to corporate or organisational structure of the Ascot Lloyd group.
  
  

Experience / Skills Required

• Qualified lawyer, 3-4 years PQE, having trained either in-house or with a recognised law firm
• Financial services and M&A experience are desirable
• Generalist, willing to work across multiple areas of law, but ideally with commercial contract experience
• Can work autonomously, independently solving problems
• Team player working at all levels of the group
• Self-starter able to work without extensive supervision. Self motivated, ability to multi-task and prioritise. Flexible, and capable of working with multiple projects at the same time
• Confident communicator, both in writing and verbally
• Creative but practical and pragmatic approach to problem solving
• Attention to detail and work accurately
• Ability to build strong working relationships and gain respect of all levels of employee
• Professional conduct
• Legal experience in all areas of the Job Description is not necessarily required, however the job holder will need to have the desire and ability to learn new areas of legal work