Counsel

About the role

The SGUS Legal Department's mission is to protect Societe Generale (SG) from legal, regulatory, reputational, and other risks while assisting SGUS business units in achieving their legitimate business interests. This includes providing legal advice, drafting and reviewing legal documentation, ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations, overseeing US litigation and enforcement actions, promoting an ethical legal culture, and mitigating legal risks within SGUS.

The department works closely with the Group Legal Department in Paris to implement global legal policies and coordinate cross-border transactions. The attorney will provide legal, regulatory, and transactional advice to clients in SG’s Prime Services & Clearing business line, focusing on exchange-traded derivatives, securities, and other sales & trading activities.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate transaction documentation for exchange-traded derivatives, securities, and other sales & trading activities.
• Provide advice and counseling on documentation, structuring, and negotiating transactions.
• Advise and support clients in new product development.
• Monitor and advise on legal and regulatory developments affecting covered products and businesses.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders (risk, tax, accounting, compliance) and primary business personnel.
• Coordinate and supervise activities of external counsel.

Requirements

• Active member of the New York State Bar.
• Law degree from a well-regarded U.S. law school (or foreign equivalent).
• Undergraduate degree from a well-regarded 4-year college/university.
• At least 3-5 years of broad-based professional U.S. legal experience, with a focus on OTC or exchange-traded derivatives, repo and securities lending transactions, or other capital markets financial products.
• 3-5 years of experience in a major U.S. law firm specializing in OTC derivatives, structured products, and/or sales & trading issues (any asset class).

Skills

• Required:
  • Diligent work ethic and positive attitude.
  • Ability and willingness to learn new and unfamiliar areas of law and business.
  • Highly intelligent, capable, and responsible.
  • Excellent written and oral communication and advocacy skills.
  • Flexible and creative personality, adaptable to changing business and product mix.
  • Strong client service mentality.
  • Ability to balance commercial needs while protecting the interests of the bank.
  • Ability to listen to diverse points of view.
  • Basic computer skills (Word, email, etc.).
  • Ability to prioritize tasks and effectively respond to demanding clients.
  • Ability to communicate complex legal concepts in a commercially accessible manner.
  • Ability to work independently as well as in teams.
  • Fluency in English and experience in legal drafting in English.
• Desired:
  • Experience with financial & commodities futures and/or cleared OTC derivatives.
  • Background in U.S. banking and securities regulations, including Dodd-Frank swap regulations.
  • Experience in a bank or other financial services institution with similar businesses to SG Americas.
  • Ability to exert influence and persuade others.
  • Ability to take a position even in the absence of broad-based support.
  • Skill and experience in managing complex and interdisciplinary projects and teams.

Benefits

• Competitive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• 401(k) plan with company match.
• Annual discretionary bonus eligibility.
• Benefits for fertility, wellness, student loans, and commuters.

About Societe Generale

Societe Generale is committed to an inclusive recruitment experience and offers reasonable accommodations during the process. The company’s culture is built on four core values: commitment, responsibility, team spirit, and innovation. Societe Generale emphasizes ethical conduct, collaboration, and innovation to serve client needs and anticipate market changes. The firm is also dedicated to strengthening relationships with colleagues, communities, and the world.

Societe Generale’s Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging (DIB) mission focuses on recruiting, developing, retaining, and advancing a talented workforce in an inclusive environment that values employee differences and fosters engagement, support, respect, and innovation.