LGL-Legal Counsel

Corporate Title

Executive Director

Experience

18+ years with minimum 5 years or above in senior legal leadership roles

Qualification

LLB/LLM from India/US/UK/EU jurisdiction

1. Role Overview: We are seeking an Executive Director to join our Legal Global Masters Documentation Team, leading complex derivatives master agreement negotiations and providing senior legal counsel across multiple jurisdictions including India, Asia, Japan, EMEA and Americas. This senior role requires a seasoned master agreement and derivatives lawyer with deep technical expertise who can independently manage sophisticated global derivatives documentation while working collaboratively with regional legal teams and senior business stakeholders worldwide.

1. Key Responsibilities:

1. 1. Contract negotiation and advisory
      • Lead and independently manage complex negotiation of derivatives documentation ISDA/CSA/CTA (variation margin/initial margin documentation), repurchase and securities lending agreements (GMRA, MRA, GMSLA, MSLA, MSFTA etc.), prime brokerage agreement, clearing documentation, futures & options agreements with respect to various counterparty types such as hedge funds, banks, broker dealers, HNIs, mutual funds, pension funds, insurance and re-insurance providers, etc.
      • Draft, review, and negotiate multi-jurisdictional derivatives contracts and related documents across India, Asia, Japan, EMEA and Americas covering multiple asset classes (rates, credit, equity, FX, commodities)
      • Identify and highlight risks to various stakeholders for approvals across corporate divisions and locations
      • Support multiple business units, including traders, structurers, sales teams, and risk management, etc., on complex derivatives legal matters
      • Address bespoke regulatory or master agreement related projects as needed.
      • Help maintain the various master agreement templates.
      • Coordinate with local counsel on derivatives regulatory compliance matters across multiple jurisdictions including Dodd-Frank, EMIR, MiFID II, CFTC/SEC rules, FINRA 4210, Qualified Financial Contracts and IBOR remediation and ensuring compliance with internal policies and regulatory requirements.
      • Partner with regional lawyers and business partners across EMEA, Americas, Japan, and Asia
      • Lead major derivatives regulatory implementation and other initiatives like digital innovation, globalization, etc.
      • Serve as a trusted advisor to senior management, derivatives trading heads, and risk committees on derivatives legal mattersBuild and maintain relationships with external counsel, regulators, industry bodies, and ISDA working groups
   2. Team leadership and development
      • Lead and mentor a team of derivatives legal professionals and provide training and guidance to team members on complex matters
      • Drive knowledge sharing and best practices
      • Contribute to talent development and succession planning initiatives
      • Foster collaborative culture within derivatives legal function
      • Provide management reports and strategic oversight, and manage escalations

Required Qualifications

• LLB/LLM or equivalent legal qualification in relevant jurisdiction
• 18+ years, with at least 10 years of experience in derivatives contracts across multiple asset classes and minimum 5 years or above in senior legal leadership roles.
• Proven track record of leading complex master agreements negotiations and derivatives transactions
• Deep expertise in derivatives documentation including ISDA, GMRA, prime brokerage agreements, etc.
• Experience in driving transformation and innovation initiatives

Required Skills

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Outstanding drafting and negotiating skills specific to derivatives documentation, and experience working with ISDA definitions (FX, commodity, equity) and other industry documentation
• Understanding of derivatives mechanics including netting, close-out, and margin requirements
• Ability to understand derivatives legal and business risk and provide business-aligned legal counsel and forward-thinking solutions
• Embracing diversity and inclusion in the workplace
• Confidence and credibility when engaging with senior stakeholders
• Cultural sensitivity and ability to operate across diverse markets
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with ability to explain complex derivatives concepts
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet tight deadlines
• Strong project management and time management skills for multiple concurrent negotiations
• Proven ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Self-starter with sense of ownership
• Critical thinking and conflict management abilities in high-pressure environments
• Knowledge and understanding of various Indian laws and international derivatives regulations
• Resourcefulness, solution-oriented approach and excellent team leadership capabilities