Description:

Job Overview:
The Lead Counsel is a senior level position responsible for providing legal guidance and thought leadership to the business. The overall objective of this role is to provide legal support, advice, and guidance to the business.

This role requires a pragmatic, proactive attorney with thorough understanding of the America's Futures and Derivatives Clearing (FDC) business , combined with a solid conceptual / practical grounding in the laws and regulations for the geographies in which we operate. Provides input into strategic decisions, exercising sound legal judgement to develop proactive, risk-appropriate, and commercially practical business-oriented solutions.

Responsibilities:

Responsible for providing legal counsel to Citi's Americas Futures and Derivatives Clearing (FDC) business, participating in strategic initiatives, providing subject matter expertise and interpretations of relevant laws, rules, regulations, and industry practices, and advising business management on legal matters impacting the business.
Collaborates across internal lines of business, control/support functions and/or external counsel to achieve coordinated and efficient outcomes on matters of common interest; coordinate closely with the Legal team on a regional and global basis.
Participates in business planning and development initiatives; contributes to business objectives by providing thought leadership using knowledge of industry, laws, and regulations.
Proactively identifies, evaluates, and contributes to the appropriate management of legal, regulatory, and reputational risk by collaborating with ICRM & Risk, following relevant legal developments, participating in internal projects, and escalating as appropriate.
Manages day-to-day legal activities as a subject matter expert in area of responsibility and provides advisory services to business partners, including advising the FDC business on complex regulatory and novel contractual issues arising from customer onboarding, account structures, and expansion to additional exchanges and clearinghouses.
Monitors management of complex legal issues and transactions, including the negotiation of sophisticated commercial and market infrastructure agreements, , including clearing, execution access, and give-up agreements, escalating when necessary.

Qualifications:

4-6 years of relevant industry experience, preferably in financial services.
Experience with complex deals and contractual negotiations, with a demonstrated ability to analyze issues and develop practical legal solutions. Experience negotiating agreements on behalf of futures commission merchants, clearing brokers, derivatives market participants, exchanges, or clearinghouses is preferred.
Knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, and industry practices affecting financial markets participants. Familiarity with CFTC, NFA, exchange, and clearinghouse rules is preferred.
Proven ability to advise on complex regulatory matters and novel contractual issues in a fast-paced and highly regulated environment.

Education:
Juris Doctorate or equivalent law degree