Capital Markets Counsel (Debt & HY Capital Markets) - Vice President

Role Description

SMBC is seeking an experienced attorney to provide primary legal coverage for the firm’s active and growing Investment Grade Debt business. The [Vice President] and Counsel for Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation will work within the Legal Department and report to the Head of Capital Markets & Advisory Legal. 

Role Objectives

Primary responsibilities include:

• Providing legal advice to internal stakeholders who originate and underwrite public and private debt capital markets securities issuances (investment grade debt, high yield debt);
• Reviewing, drafting, and negotiating transaction documentation a wide variety of capital markets transactions including public offerings, private placements, commitment papers and liability management transactions,
• Working closely with the front office to support the real-time execution of capital markets transactions; and identifying and advising on a broad range of legal and regulatory issues relating to capital markets. 

 
Other responsibilities include:

• Preparing and maintaining form documentation for capital markets transactions including engagement letters, purchase agreements, etc, 
• Collaborating with other members of Americas Division Legal Department to ensure a consistent approach to institutional issues; and 
• Collaboration with colleagues in other functions including compliance, transaction management, risk, planning and others to review policies, practices and consider new initiatives.

Role Objectives: 

• Provide day-to-day hands-on legal advice and support relating to DCM and Leverage Finance businesses and co-locating with the DCM front office team on the desk;
• Review, negotiate, and draft purchase agreements, engagement letters, commitment letters, fee letters, term sheets, NDAs, and other transaction documents. 
• Review and advise on transaction documentation for live transactions including offering documents, purchase agreements, legal opinions and comfort letter.
• Identify U.S. and cross-border legal, regulatory, and market issues affecting the DCM and LevFin business, including compliance with SEC and FINRA rules.  
• Provide clear, concise, and accurate legal advice. 
• Work closely with outside counsel and manage the law firm relationships and legal costs. 
• Maintain and update form documents for all capital markets businesses. 
• Collaborate and coordinate with attorneys in Legal and other internal partners to ensure adherence to institutional standards and policies.  Escalate material issues and developments to senior attorneys and members of management.  
• Provide additional legal support for Equity Capital Markets and M&A Advisory businesses from time-to-time. 
• Contribute to industry initiatives through SIFMA and other trade organizations.

Qualifications and Skills

• Admission to the New York bar (or clear qualification of eligibility for waiving in from another jurisdiction with which New York has reciprocity) and a member of good standing of such bar.
• 5+ years minimum experience in capital markets at a law firm and in-house legal department. Prior experience working in-house in a financial services institution is strongly preferred.  
• Excellent legal and analytical skills and expertise in capital markets transactions.  
• Significant experience in DCM/Investment Grade securities is preferred. 
• Ability to work comfortably in a fast-paced, high-volume, demanding environment, and manage a significant workload with minimal supervision.  
• Proven skills in legal and regulatory risk management.
• Ability to see past the question and understand the bigger picture, balance competing demands and protect institutional interests and articulate complex concepts and ideas and apply them at a practical level to real-world situations.  
• Willingness to work 4 days a week in the office sitting alongside the business. 
• Excellent communication skills, technical drafting skills, and issue-spotting skills.  Ability to think creatively and propose solutions.  
• Cross-cultural sensitivity required.  Must be a team player.