Blackrock Global Markets EMEA Lawyer

About this role

Position:           Blackrock Global Markets EMEA Lawyer

Location:          London

Department:     Legal and Compliance Group

Level:               Director

Overview:

BlackRock is seeking a highly capable and experienced lawyer in London to be part of the in-house team providing legal coverage to BlackRock Global Markets (BGM). The global team covers, among other things, equity and fixed income cash trading, OTC derivatives (cleared and uncleared), exchange traded derivatives, prime brokerage, repos, securities lending, clearing, structured notes, foreign exchange and digital/crypto assets. This role offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of law, markets, and innovation, advising on a broad range of trading and market-facing activities undertaken by BlackRock funds and clients.

The successful candidate will initially focus on acting as the senior legal coverage lawyer for bilateral OTC derivatives and the ETF Markets team within BGM—a team at the forefront of product innovation, including Swap ETFs and Digital Asset products. Ideal candidates would have a solid understanding of the legal and regulatory issues which arise in connection with OTC derivatives trading (in particular equity, rates and FX asset classes) and market structure. It would also be helpful to have an understanding of the rapidly evolving digital/crypto asset landscape.  The candidate should have a good grasp of the regulations that apply to the instruments covered, including (for example) EMIR, Uncleared Margin Rules, MIFID and MiCA, and should be able to draft, review and negotiate related documentation, including for technical and legally complex instruments, with minimal oversight – e.g., ISDAs (including regulatory-compliant VM and IM documentation), terms of business and confirmations/MCAs. Knowledge of UCITS and AIFMD would also be helpful. We are seeking a lawyer who is able to work effectively within a team environment, but also be self-directed and able to work autonomously with minimal oversight on a day-to-day basis.  The role also includes responsibility for supervising and coaching junior attorneys within the EMEA legal team, fostering professional development and ensuring high standards of legal support across the region. In addition to working closely with the BGM legal team in London, New York, San Francisco and Hong Kong, the lawyer will work closely with the wider legal and compliance team.

Key Job Responsibilities: 

• Act as the senior legal advisor for bilateral OTC derivatives and ETF Markets, including innovative products such as Swap ETFs and Digital Asset offerings.
• Advise investment and trading teams on OTC derivatives (in particular equity, rates and FX asset classes), and digital/crypto asset transactions and business initiatives.
• Lead the development and refinement of BlackRock’s standard-form trading documentation, in particular ISDAs (with regulatory-compliant VM and IM terms), terms of business, confirmation and MCAs.
• Draft, review and negotiate technical and legally complex OTC derivative instruments and related documentation;
• Analysing and implementing trading related regulations relating to OTC derivatives, digital assets and MIFID transaction reporting and performing cross border applicability analysis; and
• Perform and lead the closeout netting analysis and apply insolvency and customer protection regimes relevant to dealer counterparties.

• Special projects as required.
• Represent Legal in internal working groups and cross-functional initiatives, with the ability to spot issues across functions and regions.

Skills/Requirements:

• Qualified solicitor/lawyer in England and Wales;
• 10+ years of post-qualification experience as a lawyer with a law firm but preferably in-house at a financial services company;
• Some management experience to supervise the work of and mentor junior lawyers in the EMEA legal team;
• Expert knowledge with industry standard trading agreements and related documentation in particular the ISDA (including related collateral documentation) and ISDA product definitions,
• Experience of regulations applicable to Funds, ETF-related structures and digital/crypto asset legal issues is a plus;
• Ability to clarify tasks and requirements and excellent organisational, negotiating and inter-personal skills;
• Solutions oriented, strategic thinker, ability to understand the business needs and partner with the business and control functions;
• Commercial outlook, motivated, personable and with attention to detail;
• Ability to communicate effectively at all levels of the organisation in verbal and written form; and
• Takes ownership of problems/requirements and ensures they are resolved to meet objectives without taking shortcuts that could compromise quality.

Our benefits

To help you stay energized, engaged and inspired, we offer a wide range of employee benefits including: retirement investment and tools designed to help you in building a sound financial future; access to education reimbursement; comprehensive resources to support your physical health and emotional well-being; family support programs; and Flexible Time Off (FTO) so you can relax, recharge and be there for the people you care about.

Our hybrid work model

BlackRock’s hybrid work model is designed to enable a culture of collaboration and apprenticeship that enriches the experience of our employees, while supporting flexibility for all. Employees are currently required to work at least 4 days in the office per week, with the flexibility to work from home 1 day a week. Some business groups may require more time in the office due to their roles and responsibilities. We remain focused on increasing the impactful moments that arise when we work together in person – aligned with our commitment to performance and innovation. As a new joiner, you can count on this hybrid model to accelerate your learning and onboarding experience here at BlackRock.

About BlackRock

At BlackRock, we are all connected by one mission: to help more and more people experience financial well-being.  Our clients, and the people they serve, are saving for retirement, paying for their children’s educations, buying homes and starting businesses. Their investments also help to strengthen the global economy: support businesses small and large; finance infrastructure projects that connect and power cities; and facilitate innovations that drive progress.

This mission would not be possible without our smartest investment – the one we make in our employees. It’s why we’re dedicated to creating an environment where our colleagues feel welcomed, valued and supported with networks, benefits and development opportunities to help them thrive.

For additional information on BlackRock, please visit @blackrock | Twitter: @blackrock | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/blackrock

BlackRock is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.  We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to age, disability, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation and other protected characteristics at law.