Description:
At MFS, you will find a culture that supports you in doing what you do best. Our employees work together to reach better outcomes, favoring the strongest idea over the strongest individual. We put people first and demonstrate care and compassion for our community and each other. Because what we do matters – to us as valued professionals and to the millions of people and institutions who rely on us to help them build more secure and prosperous futures.The Role:
MFS Investment Management is seeking a broker-dealer attorney to join its Legal Department. The attorney's primary responsibilities will include providing advice to compliance and business units regarding federal securities laws and regulations (principally under the Investment Company Act, Exchange Act, and FINRA rules), assisting in drafting and negotiating distribution and service agreements with intermediaries, assisting in providing legal support to the firm's registered transfer agent, and updating the firm's Forms BD and BR.
What you will do:
- Provides advice on matters related to global distribution of domestic and offshore mutual funds by applying knowledge of U.S. and international securities laws and regulations including the 1940 Act, Exchange Act, Investment Advisers Act, and FINRA rules.
- Provides advice and counsel to MFS's limited-purpose broker-dealer on compliance with FINRA rules and other regulatory matters.
- Drafts and negotiates distribution and service agreements with domestic and international intermediaries including broker-dealers, banks, retirement plan recordkeepers, etc.
- Provides advice and counsel to MFS's registered transfer agent on related shareholder servicing and recordkeeping matters.
- Assists with the preparation of broker-dealer filings, primarily Forms BD and BR.
- Reviews and interprets statutes, rules and policies which are relevant to the regulatory functions of MFS, its corporate subsidiaries, clients and fund complexes and works with internal clients to meet their business objectives within the regulatory environment.
- Maintains awareness of best practices and evolving issues within the scope of the position, relates same to other departments within MFS, suggesting changes and modifications in practices and processes as necessary, and planning the implementation of same.
- Assumes additional responsibilities as requested.
What we are looking for:
- Bachelor's Degree and Juris Doctorate Degree required. Must have at least 6-8 years of experience practicing law, preferably at a national law firm and/or comparable in-house position. Experience working in a global business in the legal specialty is preferred.
- Significant experience with domestic and offshore retail fund distribution matters and broker-dealer and transfer agent operations is highly preferred.
- Should have excellent written and verbal communication, have strong problem-solving skills, have a client-service orientation, and be highly organized and detail-oriented. Must be able to draft and write effectively, and present research, analysis, and conclusions in a persuasive manner.
- Proven ability to develop and foster strong interpersonal relationships and to collaborate with cross-functional teams throughout the organization.
- Must be a member in good standing of a state bar, such as the Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers and maintain good standing for all necessary license(s) and/or professional qualifications.
