First Circle is an SME-focused, credit-centric, and multi-product NeoBank in SE Asia which is fast-growing (>100%), profitable, and internationalising soon. We started life as an SME lender in the Philippines in 2016 to solve the SME credit gap by using technology to systemise underwriting, deliver exceptional UX, and automate away delivery costs. We’ve delivered our clients the fastest, cheapest, most flexible credit line available to businesses anywhere in Southeast Asia. We’ve been rewarded with both fast growth and exceptional unit economics, a rare combination in our space.
Over the past two years we’ve expanded our product range to include business bank accounts & payments, e-Invoices, corporate credit cards, rooftop solar, and most recently deposits catalysed by securing a full bank charter in the Philippines. In 2027, we’ll expand our geographical coverage to include at least two new markets in APAC.
Our excellent track record results from our people & culture. We combine high standards & intensity with a collegiate environment. Our barometers of success are the rate of personal growth of our people, how long high performers choose to stay, and ensuring we we raise the bar with every hire.
The Legal Counsel supports the General Counsel and handles the day-to-day legal operations of the business. This role is well suited to a mid-level lawyer who wants hands-on exposure across a broad range of legal matters, with direct mentorship from the GC. The role covers three core areas of support: general legal advice for daily operations, assistant corporate secretary/housekeeping support, and general support to the GC as needed.
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Key Responsibilities:1. General Legal Advice
Performance Objective: Legal is never the reason a transaction or project slips. Positions taken are commercial but defensible. Escalation is timely: material issues are escalated to the CEO/CIO.
- Provide general legal advice and support for all FCGFC daily operations
- Review, draft, and negotiate contracts and other legal documents in the ordinary course of business
- Provide legal support across departments on day-to-day operational questions and requests
- Escalate matters to the GC where legal or business risk requires senior input
2. Assistant Corporate Secretary & Housekeeping Support
Performance Objective: Zero late or deficient statutory filings. Full corporate record set maintained. Any corporate record producible same day as requested.
- Act as assistant to the GC in the Corporate Secretary function
- Support the preparation and safe-keeping of board and stockholders' meeting minutes and corporate records
- Assist in the preparation and filing of SEC certificates, GIS, and other corporate housekeeping submissions
- Help ensure ongoing SEC compliance, including tracking statutory deadlines
3. General Support to the GC
- Provide general support to the GC on strategic, transactional, compliance, and other workstreams as needed
- Assist on ad hoc/special projects assigned to Legal
- Help maintain corporate records, filings, and documentation in good order
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A successful candidate is:
- Able to balance commercial mindedness with legal best practice.
- Able to drive progress across multiple workstreams in a fast paced environment.
- Comfortable voicing their opinions to strong-minded stakeholders.
- Able to balance urgency with thoroughness.
- Comfortable working in an expat-led organization.
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Team constructThe Legal counsel is supported by a team of five: General Counsel, a paralegal, Head of Compliance, a Compliance Assistance and a general administrative assistant.
Requirements
- 3–5 years of relevant legal experience.
- Experience in a startup or fintech environment.
- Admitted to the Philippine bar and in good standing.
- Experience supporting business operations legal needs (contracts, day-to-day legal questions).
- Exposure to corporate secretarial/housekeeping work (minutes, SEC filings) is an advantage.
- Strong drafting, negotiation, and communication skills.
- Ability to work independently while knowing when to escalate to the GC.
Benefits
- Hybrid work set-up: 2 days per week in our BGC office; remote the rest of the time.
- Additional perks & benefits: HMO coverage from week one, free catered lunches, monthly fitness allowance, transportation & accommodation allowance, and more.
- Join a team with a deeply collaborative culture! Learn more here: https://www.firstcircle.ph/careers
Skills Required
- 3-5 years of relevant legal experience
- Experience in a startup or fintech environment
- Admitted to the Philippine bar and in good standing
- Experience supporting business operations legal needs, including contracts and day-to-day legal questions
- Exposure to corporate secretarial and housekeeping work, including minutes and SEC filings
- Strong drafting, negotiation, and communication skills
- Ability to work independently and know when to escalate matters to the General Counsel
What We Do
Founded in 2016, First Circle is the fastest-growing fintech in the Philippines, led by an ex-Morgan Stanley and ex-Bridgewater Associates management team. We have offices in Manila, London and Hong Kong. First Circle offers SME financing and are building smart banking solutions for businesses. First Circle is a trusted partner of the Philippine government and is the official Finance Partner of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). We are also a pioneer data provider to the Credit Information Corporation (CIC) and the very first FinTech company to ever be licensed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the Philippines.
