Legal Counsel, Mlo (Legal)

Job description

Role Purpose
·         The Monitor Liaison Office (MLO) has a high profile and important role within the Group – namely, to provide an efficient and effective interface between HSBC and the external corporate compliance Monitor appointed by the US Department of Justice (DOJ), the UK Financial Conduct Authority, and the US Federal Reserve Board to evaluate the Group's compliance with relevant 2012 settlement agreements, including the Deferred Prosecution Agreement with DOJ. 
·         The role holder will be a member of the Monitor Liaison Office (Legal) team, ultimately supporting the broader work of the Co-Heads as they serve as a primary Legal contact for interactions with the HSBC Monitor and his team, and the HSBC Group Monitor Liaison officer and his team. 
·         As examples, the role holder will provide advice in relation to Monitor site visits, data requests, interviews, workshops, presentations and other activities that the Monitor and his team undertake during the period of the Monitorship. 
·         The role holder will undertake legal review of documents proposed to be produced to the Monitor Team and ensure legal notes are taken at interviews by the Monitor team of HSBC employees, as appropriate. 
·         The role holder will also provide legal support and advice to track the Group’s compliance with the requirements of the Deferred Prosecution Agreement and other settlement agreements. 
 
Key Accountabilities
Impact on the Business
·         Provide proactive legal advice in relation to all aspects of the Monitorship, including, but not limited to site visits, work plans, data and interview requests, responses to Monitor reports, and other issues that arise.  
·         Review documents proposed to be produced to the Monitor Team and ensure legal notes are taken of interviews by the Monitor team of HSBC employees, as appropriate.
·         Support the MLO in briefing interviewees as appropriate on background in relation to the Monitor and the work of the MLO, explaining surrounding context and interviewee's role with clarity and precision.
 
Customers / Stakeholders
·         Provide legal support and guidance to HSBC Legal stakeholders
·         Provide proactive legal advice to the core MLO team
·         Work with outside counsel as appropriate
 
Leadership & Teamwork
·         The role holder should provide advice to the Group MLO and other HSBC Legal stakeholders on Monitor-related activities by working in a highly co-operative, efficient and effective manner at all times
·         The role holder should build constructive and collaborative relationships with MLO (Legal) team members, and external counsel/suppliers
·         Maintain and develop positive and professional working relationships with members of the Global Legal Function
·         Develop positive and professional working relationships with managers across the risk functions and relevant business functions
 
Major Challenges
·         HSBC is an extremely diverse business which is constantly changing and expanding. This takes place in an increasingly regulated and complex global environment in which the scrutiny of regulators, authorities, media, shareholders and employees is ever increasing. The Legal Counsel will be required to provide advice under time pressure and on complex and significant matters impacting HSBC.
·         The role holder must possess strong interpersonal skills as effective communication (both internally and externally) is key.  There will be regular interaction with other lawyers.
·         Maintain a detailed knowledge of HSBC Group operations and policies
·         Be alert to external legal, political and regulatory considerations and implications
·         Prioritise workloads in terms of legal risk and commercial consideration
·         Ability to distill and communicate complex ideas in an understandable manner assisting the client to make more difficult decisions
 
Role Context
·         The role holder is required to work in an environment of significant ambiguity, and will therefore be required to demonstrate a very high degree of initiative and problem-solving.  The role requires an understanding of the structure of the HSBC Group, its standards and its culture and the ability to handle increasingly complex legal and regulatory issues.
 
Role Dimensions
·         The role holder's role as part of  the Legal function is Group-wide, and could involve working with stakeholders from any part of the Group
 
Management of Risk (Operational Risk / FIM requirements)
·         In the course of fulfilling their responsibilities, the role holder should continually reassess associated legal risks, taking account of changing conditions, legal and regulatory requirements, operating procedures and practices, management restructurings, and the impact of new technology.
 
Observation of Internal Controls (Compliance Policy / FIM requirements)
·         The role holder will adhere to and be able to demonstrate adherence to internal controls. This will be achieved by adherence to all relevant procedures, keeping appropriate records and, where appropriate, by the timely implementation of internal and external audit points when requested, including issues raised by external regulators.
·         The role holder will respect Group compliance policy. The term ‘compliance’ embraces all relevant financial services laws, rules and codes with which the business has to comply.
·         Leadership over all issues relating to the investigation of material potential violations of law, regulation and policy
·         Clear communication of proactive controls for mitigation of future risk
 
 

Desired profile

Knowledge & Experience / Qualifications
·         Qualified lawyer with relevant post qualification experience, primarily advising securities service providers (eg custodians) and/or other service providers in the funds industry
·         Confident practitioner
·         Self starter, independent with good organisational skills and the ability to prioritise effectively
·         Be a confident and clear communicator (written and oral)
·         Flexible team player    
·         Ability to work under pressure
·         Some regulatory enforcement experience is preferred.
 
We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to creating a diverse environment.
 

About HSBC

HSBC est l’une des plus grandes banques internationales avec une présence dans plus de 85 pays dans le monde. Elle a été créée en 1865 sous le nom de « The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation », et son siège social est basé à Londres. En France, HSBC totalise environ 400 agences et près de 10 000 salariés, avec une spécialisation dans plusieurs activités : une banque pour les particuliers, spécialisées notamment dans la gestion de patrimoine, une banque privée (gestion de fortune), une banque d’entreprises, qui s’appuie sur le réseau de l’ensemble du groupe HSBC dans le monde, et une banque de financement, d’investissement et de marchés. En 2012, HSBC France a réalisé un résultat avant impôt de 450 millions d’euros.