JOB SUMMARY
We are seeking an Associate to join our Financial Services Regulatory Practice. The Practice provides regulatory and commercial advice to financial institutions, technology companies and other firms affected by the financial regulatory environment, including the banking (including payment services and mortgages), technology, investment, fund and insurance sectors and consumer credit providers.
The FS Regulatory group sits within the Corporate Division and has close links with Taylor Wessing's Finance, Private Wealth, Technology, Disputes and Capital Markets practices.
The FS Regulatory group is led by Charlotte Hill, Partner and Head of Financial Services and Competition.
Success and strategy
The team has successfully established a strong, market-recognised (Chambers and L500 ranked) FS regulatory practice over the past ten years. It has an impressive cross-section of long-term clients and has successfully attracted a number of high-profile new clients in the past couple of years. A strong regulatory practice is a key strategic growth area for the firm.
The FS Regulatory Group advises its clients on a wide range of legal and commercial matters, including EU Directives and Regulations (such as MiFID II, the AIFMD, UCITS, PSD2, EMIR, for example) and the Rules and Regulations of the UK Regulators, the FCA and PRA. This includes advising on the various initiatives of the FCA and PRA affecting the industry, such as the Senior Managers and Certification Regime.
Clients include technology companies, particularly those working in the FinTech sector, investment and asset managers, banks, wealth managers, banks, brokers and insurance companies. They also include companies which are not themselves regulated, but which may be affected by the financial regulatory regime, such as online retailers.
The FS Regulatory group has increased in revenue year on year and is looking to continue to grow, with steady recruitment at all levels of qualification. The FS Regulatory group is an important offering to a number of key clients if the firm, so the role offers a strong opportunity to participate in key client development as well as high profile collaboration across the firm.
A candidate with strong consumer credit experience would be of particular interest.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
We are looking for a lawyer to join the expanding regulatory team. The role reports to the Head of Financial Services and Competition.
We are looking for solid core regulatory competency given the diversity of the practice, but it is recognised that it is increasingly difficult to be a specialist in all areas. Therefore we would welcome signs of development and specialism in at least one of the following areas:
Consumer Credit and Lending: consumer credit/mortgages and associated processes
Funds / investment firms: E.g. MiFID, AIFMD, EMIR, PRIPS
'Fintech': payments, e-money, AML, retail facing products
Regulatory compliance: good experience of FCA/PRA licence applications, 166 reviews, policy & procedures, managing regulatory interventions.
Ideally the candidate will have 3 – 6 years post qualification experience but other high quality candidates will be considered.
Other core elements of the role include:
- Assisting Partners and Associates on matters, as well as taking lead on some smaller instructions/matters (with Partner supervision).
- Contributing to business development and profile-raising initiatives (including networking, writing articles, delivering industry training and talks). All associates are positively encouraged to play a role in BD.
- Know-how and precedent development and management.
- Assisting in the preparation of client pitches.
- Assisting in delivering internal training on regulatory developments.
- Working with many different practice areas throughout the firm (e.g. other corporate specialists, insurance, banking, private client, tax, employment and pensions, property and litigation).
PERSON SPECIFICATION
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
Candidates must be qualified in the UK and preferably with training from a City firm with a recognised financial services regulatory practice. Experience in-house is beneficial but not essential.
The following skills/experience are essential:
- Excellent analytical skills and academics (minimum 2:1 degree), and technical ability.
- Experience gained at a top tier finance practice.
- Strong drafting skills, working both with and without reference to precedents.
- Ability to work both independently and in conjunction with partners.
- A commercial focus and excellent client management and relationship skills.
- A focus on business development and building client relationships.
- Experience of supervising and mentoring more junior lawyers and providing encouragement and support in this role.