Our client is a Commercial Bank in Hong Kong.
Job Title: Legal Counsel
Job Responsibilities:
- Provide legal counsel and assistance to multiple business units within the financial institution and the group, ensuring adherence to legal requirements and minimizing legal risks.
- Support the Head of Legal in delivering comprehensive legal advice to management, safeguarding the bank's interests and promoting compliance.
- Review and negotiate a diverse range of corporate banking documentation, including committed and uncommitted bilateral and syndicated loans, risk/funded participation agreements, guarantees, indemnities, and trade finance documents (e.g., letters of credit, performance bonds, trade-related finance contracts, advance payments bonds).
- Evaluate and negotiate security documentation such as mortgages, share charges, debentures, deposit agreements, escrow agreements, intercreditor agreements, and other relevant legal instruments.
- Stay abreast of banking laws and regulations, including the Banking Ordinance, Securities and Futures Ordinance, Companies Ordinance, and other applicable Hong Kong and PRC commercial practices.
- Collaborate with stakeholders across various departments, including front office, compliance, internal control, and risk functions, to ensure legal compliance and facilitate effective decision-making.
- Participate in corporate projects and new product development initiatives, identifying and addressing legal and regulatory issues.
- Develop and revise policies and guidelines in coordination with relevant departments to ensure compliance with evolving legal and regulatory requirements.
- Provide proactive and commercially-oriented legal advice, contributing to the organization's strategic goals and initiatives.
Qualifications:
- Qualified lawyer in the Hong Kong SAR.
- Ideally, a minimum of 4 years of legal experience in the banking/finance sector, preferably from top international law firms and/or leading international financial institutions. Candidates with fewer years of experience may also be considered.
- Strong knowledge of banking laws and regulations, including a solid understanding of the Banking Ordinance, Securities and Futures Ordinance, Companies Ordinance, and other relevant Hong Kong and PRC commercial practices.
- Excellent drafting, negotiation, analytical, and communication skills.
- Ability to inspire and collaborate effectively with team members and colleagues, while prioritizing workload and managing multiple tasks.
- Proactive and results-oriented mindset, with the ability to work collaboratively with internal stakeholders across various functions.
- Capacity to identify and escalate issues promptly and appropriately, and adapt legal skills to new business areas and products.
- Self-motivated, meticulous, and able to work effectively under pressure.
- Proficiency in both written and spoken English and Chinese, with knowledge of Putonghua.
