Counsel

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

A skilled and experienced financial services lawyer to serve as legal support for MFS’ operations outside of the US, in particular Luxembourg UCIT funds registered, passported and/or sold in various jurisdictions. The position will play a senior role in coordinating between MFS lawyers and internal stakeholders based in Boston, London and Luxembourg.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Working collaboratively to provide strategic and pragmatic legal advice to protect the firm from legal, regulatory and reputational harm.
• Being responsible, under the supervision of senior management, for the legal and regulatory matters relating to the products, services and business operations conducted by MFS outside of the US.
• Preparing for and attending board and shareholders' meetings, documenting, drafting and or reviewing and circulating minutes and actions agreed upon.
• Maintenance of statutory records for entities and ensuring annual and ad-hoc filing requirements are met.
• Research, develop and prepare a variety of legal documentation, such as regulatory filings, corporate and shareholder governance documents, shareholder communication and notices, etc. Ensures all such documentation is in compliance with applicable multi-jurisdictional regulatory law.
• Review and determine applicability of new or evolving regulatory requirements with which MFS must comply in order to sustain existing markets and grow in new markets.
• Serves as legal adviser to business clients for special projects, including new fund-related product initiatives (new funds and share classes, liquidations, etc.), operational initiatives supporting the Funds, product governance, registering or offering Funds in new markets, etc..
• Liaise with the Conducting Persons of MFS’ Luxembourg Management Company on Fund and ManCo-related service matters.
• Assist in the management and use of external counsel for items in jurisdictions where MFS may not have appropriate experience.  Be able to manage working in a multi-jurisdictional environment over a broad range of topics.
• Negotiate, draft and review agreements over a wide variety of subject matter.
• Advise on and follow established procedures, policies, protocols, and schedules to ensure that work is performed in accordance with set deadlines.
• Manage support team by providing prioritization, direction, training and coaching in order to accomplish projects and tasks.
• Provide support for Legal, Compliance and Enterprise Risk Management (LCERM) Department initiatives and matters as needed.
• Assumes other responsibilities as requested.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• Bachelor’s Degree and Juris Doctorate (or similar) degree; Qualified to practice law in EMEA.
• Minimum 6+ years of specialized legal experience in the applicable area of law either in-house or at a leading law firm.
• Experience as an attorney for global regulatory matters relating to the financial services industry (and in particular globally offered UCITS products) preferred.
• Excellent organization, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Must write effectively, have excellent attention to detail. Must be able to communicate effectively with the team and demonstrate an ability to build strong relationships across an array of departments.
• Must have the ability to formulate solutions to mitigate legal, regulatory and reputational risk while supporting business objectives, present to business partners with confidence and clarity, thrive in a team-orientated environment, and be able to take ownership of projects.
• Periodic travel may be required.

PREFERRED SKILLS, QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Experience advising UCITS Funds preferred
• Experience on corporate matters (corporate secretary) preferred
• Excellent English language skills mandatory.

REQUIRED LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS

• Admitted to practice law in at least one EU member state or the United Kingdom.

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At MFS, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace. If you are excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly, we encourage you to apply - you might be just the right candidate for this role or others.

At MFS, we view our employees as family — and like you, we want our family happy and healthy. That's why we provide competitive benefits programs and family-friendly policies which support the work-life balance needs of our employees.
 

MFS is a hybrid work environment (remote/onsite) unless otherwise stated in the job posting.

If any applicant is unable to complete an application or respond to a job opening because of a disability, please contact MFS at 617-954-5000 or email [email protected] for assistance. 

MFS is an Equal Opportunity Employer and it is our policy to not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state or local laws. Employees and applicants of MFS will not be subject to harassment on the basis of their status. Additionally, retaliation, including intimidation, threats, or coercion, because an employee or applicant has objected to discrimination, engaged or may engage in filing a complaint, assisted in a review, investigation, or hearing or have otherwise sought to obtain their legal rights under any Federal, State, or local EEO law is prohibited. Please see the Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal document, linked for your reference.