Legal Counsel

Purpose of the Job

Our parent company, Quintet Private Bank, is a leading private bank in the wealth management sector; we are committed to our clients and their families, and pride ourselves on our personalised service based on a deep understanding of what clients want to achieve. Compared to others, we are small (<1,800 employees across 30 European and UK locations) with an ambition to stay true to our purpose to be the most trusted fiduciary of family wealth.

When you join us you are joining a company that values diversity of background, equal access to opportunities, career development, collaboration and inclusiveness. We want our employees to feel proud of being part of a company that is committed to do the right thing. You will have the opportunity to grow your career while developing personally and professionally through various resources and programmes.

The successful candidate will work as part of the Group Legal Function as Legal Counsel, providing support to the UK Legal team and collaborating with Group functions in Luxembourg and/or other locations to ensure alignment on Group-wide matters. Identification and advice pertinent to mitigation of legal risks in the UK and alignment with Group functions in Luxembourg and/ or other locations in terms of Group matters.

This is a fantastic opporunity to develop your expertise at the heart of a leading private bank, working on varied and interesting legal matters that directly support the business.

Key Accountabilities

a) Provide legal advice to Brown Shipley in relation to its UK banking, wealth management and investment activities, including client, product, operational, contractual, governance and regulatory matters
b) Provide advice to mitigate legal risks and ensuring appropriate reporting of legal risks and legal proceedings to senior management of UK and the GCLO, and in adherence to the Group Legal Risks Framework
c) Assist with legal advice on complex client complaints and management of legal proceedings
d) Collaborate with the Group, to align UK priorities with Group initiatives and objectives
e) Support the Group Chief Legal Officer on Group projects and Group initiatives when required, while providing main support to the subsidiary in the UK
f) Teamwork and collaboration Group player, with the ability to deal in a transparent, proactive and collegiate manner
g) Being able to communicate and influence stakeholders (internal clients) and engage and manage external law firms in a cost efficient manner when required
h) Support the GCLO with Group Legal Risk Management matters
i) Participate in the Group Legal Function meetings and UK management for as well as any other Group or local meetings and committees as necessary

Knowledge and Experience

Qualified solicitor in England and Wales, or equivalent UK qualification, with strong post-qualification experience gained in private practice and/or an in-house financial services legal function

Qualified solicitor in the UK, any additional qualification would be an advantage

Excellent legal expertise in the banking sector in the UK with focus on wealth management.

Demonstrable ability to advise independently on complex legal issues, apply judgement in ambiguous situations, and provide balanced recommendations that reflect legal risk, commercial objectives and governance expectations.

Strong regulatory background and ability to assess the impact of upcoming regulations

Excellent knowledge of banking products and processes and general knowledge of the financial markets

Very good knowledge of legal, compliance and regulatory risks applicable to the banking industry

Excellent drafting and negotiation skills, including experience with client documentation, commercial contracts, supplier arrangements, outsourcing, project documentation and governance papers

Attributes and Qualities

Ability to adequately navigate in an international environment, dealing with different cultures and backgrounds
Strong stakeholder management skills, including the ability to build trust, influence constructively and challenge where needed in a proportionate and solutions-focused way.
Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to produce concise, executive-ready advice and governance materials
Organised and resilient, with the ability to manage multiple complex matters, prioritise effectively and maintain quality under pressure. 
Collaborative and collegiate, with the ability to work effectively across UK and Group teams and to support a transparent, consistent and joined-up legal function

Technical Skills

Strong legal research, drafting, negotiation and analytical skills.
Ability to review, interpret and improve contractual, regulatory and governance documentation
Confident use of Microsoft 365 and legal matter management, document management or workflow tools as required

Languages Skills

Fluent in English. Any other European languages would be an advantage