Counsel, ETFs and Portfolio Management

About the role

Dimensional's Legal division is an in-house team of client-focused attorneys, paralegals, and legal assistants who partner with internal and external teams to help provide legal expertise across business functions, legal systems, and jurisdictions. This counsel will assist with the day-to-day legal needs for the firm’s global investments function with an emphasis on initiatives relating to proprietary exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Work will include advising on federal, state and international securities laws and related compliance matters. This position will report to the Deputy General Counsel and Vice President that acts as the primary legal liaison for the firm’s global investments function.

Responsibilities

• Support the offering and operation of proprietary ETFs, which includes serving as the day-to-day legal contact for the capital markets function, listing ETFs on exchanges, negotiating authorized participant and service provider agreements related to ETFs, reviewing ETF-specific compliance policies and procedures, and coordinating with the legal team members that are responsible for fund board meetings and fund registration statement filings
• Support the firm’s portfolio management group, which includes analyzing U.S. and international law and requirements under client or counterparty contracts; assisting risk management, compliance and other groups that have responsibility for oversight of the portfolio management function; and coordinating with other business groups in the implementation of portfolio management initiatives
• Review and analyze policies and procedures in the fund companies’ 38a-1 compliance program and the adviser’s 206(4)-7 compliance program
• Analyze legal requirements relating to substantial shareholder filings and corporate action elections
• Prepare and, when requested, present materials such as memoranda, agendas, and meeting minutes for internal meetings, committee meetings, or the meetings of the Board of Directors of the firm, its subsidiary companies and/or its fund complexes
• Work with and oversee the work provided by outside counsel on a variety of legal matters while ensuring that standards for service delivery and cost are met

Qualifications

• 4-10 years of practice in a top-tier law firm or in-house with a mutual fund/ETF complex, investment adviser, financial intermediary or other business that focuses on ETF/fund, investment adviser, financial intermediary, or securities regulation issues
• Knowledge of the structure and operation of ETFs; portfolio management processes; and federal securities laws, including the Investment Company Act of 1940 and Investment Advisers Act of 1940
• JD from a top law school
• Member of a US state bar
• Detail oriented, organized and professional
• Very strong communication skills (oral and written), with the ability to translate complex legal concepts into practical advice for other departments
• Able to work well in a team environment, but also be a self-starter who is capable of handling multiple projects while managing changes in business priorities and meeting deadlines
• Technical fluency, including proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite & other legal technology (ebilling, legal document repository, legal research tools), as well as a willingness & ability to learn and adapt to new technologies