Alternative Investment & Private Markets Attorney

About the role

Morgan Stanley Wealth Management Legal and Compliance Division is seeking to hire a Vice President to join a team providing legal coverage for Morgan Stanley Wealth Management's Alternative Investments and Private Markets businesses. Specifically, the attorney will focus on alternative investment funds and private securities transactions and related matters. The position will be based in Purchase, NY.

Responsibilities

• Distribution of complex fund or feeder fund offerings, co-investments, secondaries and direct and indirect private securities offerings.
• Drafting and negotiating a wide range of legal agreements, including placement agent agreements and other distribution agreements, custom fund offerings, servicing agreements, as well as working with external counsel when needed.
• Reviewing offering documents (private placement memoranda, limited partner agreements, side letters), early stage transaction documents (NDAs, term sheets, agreements), subscription agreements and ongoing fund communications.
• Advising on legal obligations arising in connection with corporate governance, investor relations, fund raising, distribution, marketing, and investing activities as well as the review and resolution of legal-related issues/questions that arise with respect to order processing (subscriptions, transfers).
• Reviewing marketing materials and investor presentations (including track record data) for adherence to FINRA and SEC rules related to advertising and communications with the public.
• Improving operational efficiency by partnering with the Mumbai Legal team, including transitioning certain tasks to streamline processes and providing feedback to enhance expertise.
• Reviewing and negotiating client account documentation related to alternative investment product and services and ongoing corporate communications.
• Reviewing and interpreting relevant statutes, rules and regulations applicable to wealth management products and services. Monitoring and advising on legal developments impacting alternative investments.
• Leading deal-specific and general education presentations to the business unit and other Morgan Stanley Wealth Management attorneys.
• Maintaining form agreements as well as working on discrete projects, regulatory inquiries, fund maintenance and other matters as appropriate.

Requirements

• J.D. required. A minimum of three (3) years' relevant experience at a top quality law firm and/or in-house, preferably with a financial services firm (including a bank, broker-dealer, investment advisory firm, private equity, real estate or hedge fund).
• Experience with some or all of the following: alternative investments, co-investments, direct investments, and/or secondary transactions in private securities.
• Experience reviewing and interpreting statutes, rules and regulations, with knowledge of U.S. securities laws including Investment Advisers Act of 1940, Securities Act of 1933 (including Regulation D), the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and/or the Investment Company Act of 1940.
• Experience with broker-dealer/FINRA matters is a plus, along with familiarity with ERISA matters, anti-money laundering (AML) regulations, data protection laws, and tax considerations related to alternative investments.
• Candidates should have experience in complex transactions and projects and must be able to work independently when needed and also collaborate with cross-functional groups.

Skills

• Professional maturity, confidence, presence, independence, drive, and initiative
• Excellent judgment and analytical skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Strong management and administrative skills
• Teamwork and ability to multi-task in fast paced environment
• Ability to proactively evaluate and prioritize among multiple tasks

Pay

The expected base pay range for the role will be between $110,000.00 and $190,000.00 per year at the commencement of employment. However, base pay if hired will be determined on an individualized basis and is only part of the total compensation package, which, depending on the position, may also include commission earnings, incentive compensation, discretionary bonuses, other short and long-term incentive packages, and other Morgan Stanley sponsored benefit programs.

Schedule

This role will be a hybrid role, 3 days in the office.