Legal Counsel - Derivatives

About the role

A leading global financial institution is seeking an experienced attorney to join its derivatives legal team supporting a broad fixed income and markets platform. This position offers exposure across a diverse range of products, including rates, foreign exchange, credit, structured solutions, and financing transactions, while partnering closely with sales, trading, risk, and other key stakeholders. Client Details: Top investment banking client.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal support to fixed income sales and trading businesses across a range of macro and corporate-focused products.
• Draft, negotiate, and execute ISDA Master Agreements, Credit Support Annexes, and related trading documentation, including collateral and ancillary agreements.
• Manage negotiations independently from inception through execution while balancing legal, commercial, and relationship considerations.
• Partner directly with clients and collaborate closely with internal stakeholders, including credit risk, sales and trading, collateral management, treasury, tax, compliance, and onboarding teams.
• Advise on derivatives-related regulatory documentation and market protocols, including margin, reporting, and resolution stay requirements.
• Conduct and oversee legal due diligence related to counterparty authority, capacity, enforceability, netting, and collateral arrangements.
• Monitor regulatory developments, market initiatives, and industry best practices impacting derivatives and trading activities.

Requirements

• J.D. or equivalent law degree from an accredited institution.
• Admission to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction, with New York admission preferred.
• Minimum of five years of relevant legal experience gained at a leading law firm, financial institution, or similar environment.
• Significant experience negotiating ISDA documentation and related derivatives trading agreements.
• Strong knowledge of collateral documentation, margin requirements, and derivatives regulatory frameworks.
• Familiarity with additional market-standard financial contracts, including repurchase, securities lending, and foreign exchange documentation.
• Understanding of loan-linked derivatives and related financing structures is preferred.
• Working knowledge of industry legal opinions, netting analyses, and enforceability considerations.
• Exposure to Latin American markets and/or Spanish language capabilities is a plus.
• Strong commercial judgment, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple complex negotiations simultaneously.

Skills

• JD, US State Bar, 7+ years of experience, ideally within an investment bank with prior big law experience, covering equity derivatives, structured notes.
• Deep understanding of related securities laws (33/34 Act) and regulations as they pertain to capital markets transactions.

Pay

• Base salary
• Cash bonus

Benefits

• Excellent benefits
• Hybrid working model
• Opportunity for growth
• 401(k)