Northern Trust
Sr Legal Counsel (Finance)
Broadly, the lawyer will provide general legal support across the business, including advice relating to front office solutions services focusing on portfolio management and investment decision support provided to sophisticated asset owners, developing SaaS services provided to C&IS clients and supporting other global fund services, such as fund administration, transfer agency and global custody.
Major Duties
• Work with the C&IS clients and their attorneys to negotiate SaaS agreements, subscription agreements, services agreements and other contracts for services being provided to C&IS clients.
• Provide legal support where appropriate in the development of new clients, new products and new markets.
• Analyze complex transactions and documents to identify and assess legal risks, communicate options and solutions, and prepare appropriate documentation.
• Review contracts, transaction-related documents and other documents for compliance with legal and regulatory requirements as well as Northern Trust's internal policies.
• Draft direction letters, agreement amendments and other agreement terms.
• Identify and ensure appropriate internal escalation of key risk issues.
• Communicate with partners, clients, outside counsel and industry peers regarding legal, compliance, risk and fiduciary issues.
• Provide appropriate legal support in connection with sales opportunities, including assisting in responding to consultant led requests for proposals.
• Remain current on regulatory changes and emerging legal issues that impact the C&IS business.
• Assist in updating and developing new template contracts for the business, as necessary.
• Complete internal and external training and participate in committee and other partner meetings to learn about and remain current on the C&IS business.
Knowledge/Skills:
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills along with strong analytical abilities.
• Able to balance practical business considerations with compliance, legal, risk and regulatory considerations.
• Self-motivated and able to learn quickly and set priorities and manage multiple projects and assignments within agreed upon timeframes.
• Able to work as a member of a team and proactively seek out advice and training from more experienced team members or subject matter experts.
• Excellent attention to detail and focus on delivery of quality result with the ability to ramp-up quickly in new environments and teams.
Experience:
• Illinois licensed attorney with excellent credentials and approximately 5+ years relevant experience at a major law firm, with in-house / financial institution experience required.
• Contract negotiation and contract drafting experience required, with sophisticated transaction experience a plus.
• SaaS knowledge highly preferred.
• Licensed to practice law in Illinois.