Our client, an International Bank based in the West End of London are looking to recruit a Legal Counsel to join their Legal Team, reporting to the Head of Legal and CRAD. The Legal department is primarily responsible for providing legal risk coverage to the London Branch and dealing with all legal matters concerning employees, third parties and clients. The team also provides legal support duties in relation to Head Office English legal problems and questions from time to time.

Core responsibilities of the Legal Counsel will include;

• Reviewing (or drafting, if appropriate) syndicated documentation as well as bilateral documentation for Wholesale Banking (i.e. syndicated lending, bilateral lending and trade finance documentation (including trade instruments and facilities)) as well as Private Banking (i.e. real estate finance, Lombard lending etc.).
• The preparation of facility documentation such as facility letters and security documents (i.e. debentures, first or third party legal charge documents, share charge, personal guarantees, corporate guarantees etc.).
• Being aware of all aspects of the documents in order to be able to amend accordingly in order to comply with approval terms and conditions as well as understand the legal aspects/implications of any changes that may need to be negotiated in line with changes requested by clients and/or their lawyers.
• Process executed facility letters and security documents for safe keeping.
• Review existing documents in relation to completed transactions and ensure that the documents held meet the requirements of the transaction/approval and that such documents are valid and satisfactorily issued and executed.
• Prepare any documentation required to amend facility documents in line with amendments in the facility/approvals.
• Ensuring that the action is initiated on keeping securities (like mortgages, guarantees, shares) valid and enforceable and monitoring conditions precedent, covenants and risk triggers.
• Action and monitor the requests received for preparing facility/security documents.
• Obtain quotes for external legal counsel, where required, for approval by Head of Legal and CRAD.
• Manage transaction tracker for all CRAD - Transactions Team deals and provide updates to front office.
• Check the facility/security documents prepared by others and ensure that the Bank's procedures and guidelines are adhered to and all approval conditions are accurately documented.
• Ensuring that he/she is fully conversant with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines, manuals, PFDs, SLAs and other deliverables and the team also acts in accordance.
• Promptly responding to team's deliverables and responsibilities, including by providing backup in the event any team member is unable to attend to their responsibility due to vacation, illness, reallocation of duties, project work, etc.
• Identify training needs for business colleagues and liaising with Head of Legal and CRAD for putting in place appropriate training for business units.
• Assisting Head of Legal and CRAD with delivering expert, cost effective legal advice to the business on a range of subjects.
• Working closely and providing support and advice to various business units including: Private Banking, Investments, Credit, Wholesale, Trade Finance, Treasury and HR.
• Examining upcoming new legislation and providing an analysis of the impact to the business.
• Drafting new or amending existing policies and procedures to reflect the Bank's legal obligations.
• Managing the legal invoices for third-parties ensure they are processed for payments within deadlines and tracking payments on Legal Tracker thereby ensuring accurate Management Information on panel law firms.
• Updating job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks; participating in professional organizations
• Providing legal updates and training to colleagues.
• Assisting Head of Legal and CRAD with delivering expert, cost effective legal advice to the business on a range of subjects.

To be considered for the Legal Counsel position, ideal candidates must have the following experience and skills;

• Practising solicitor with at least 3 years PQE
• Strong knowledge of Banking Loan Documentation - Experience of reviewing and drafting syndicated documentation as well as bilateral documentation for Wholesale Banking
• The ability to manage wholesale banking transactions from credit approval to completion, working with relevant business stakeholders to meet tight deadlines.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English
• Intermediate MS Office skills in Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Experience in managing individuals desirable
• Good interpersonal skills and an able team player
• Ability to work on own initiative and ability to prioritise work
• Deadline driven individual who can adapt to fast-paced banking environment
• Accurate, organised individual, flexible and happy to undertake any task in support of the team members and thus the client