Legal Trainee

Job description

Environment

People join for the impact they can have on us. They stay for the impact we have on them. A flatter structure offers visibility and exposure beyond that of our competitors, so you know our names, and we know yours. It's personable, human, and inspires success through passion. By encouraging open mindedness and a willingness to share ideas, we have adapted to market changes and thrived through innovation. Bringing words like “hard work” and “dedication” together with “community” and “respect” has enabled us to work collaboratively and build our future together. We call this Team Spirit and it's what makes us different. It's what makes you different.

Mission

Description of the Business Line or Department

The Legal Department in London (SEGL/JUR London) primarily provides legal advice and support to all London based investment banking business lines and those businesses forming part of the SG Group in the UK. It is divided into the following teams/areas of expertise: (i) Corporate Finance; (ii) Global Finance (sub-divided into Structured Finance, Financial Engineering and Commodities); (iii) Markets (sub-divided into Structured Products, Trading, Sales & Flow, Debt Capital Markets and Islamic Finance); (iv) Master Agreements; (v) Prime & Securities Services (vi) Financial Services Regulation; (vii) Employment; and (viii) Shared Internal Legal Services (incorporating Commercial and IT Contracts and Data Protection, Global Transaction and Payment Services and Company Secretarial).

The Legal Department is responsible for identifying and analysing legal and commercial issues, including communicating advice clearly and effectively, as part of an overall responsibility for managing and overseeing legal risk for the businesses supported. The Legal Department is also responsible for managing conduct risk within the Legal Department, promoting a positive culture of good conduct and compliance and contributing to the management of conduct risk throughout the businesses supported.
The Financial Services Regulatory team in SEGL/JUR, London provides advice and assistance in relation to financial regulation applicable to SG both at a business line level and an institutional level in respect of business carried on in or from the United Kingdom. The team's responsibility extends to all SG Group entities operating in the United Kingdom, including coordination, where required, with those entities specialising in private banking (Kleinwort Hambros), equipment finance (SGEF) and car leasing (ALD). Responsibilities extend to both ad hoc advice on existing regulation (“run the bank” or RTB) and strategic advice on the adaptation of the bank's activities to changing regulation (“change the bank” or CTB). The team advises on regulatory aspects of transactions with a UK nexus, including the introduction of new products and services; the marketing and promotion of investment and banking products; as well as engagement and communication with SG's home and host state regulators, in coordination with Compliance (CFT) and the Group Financial Services Regulatory team (SEGL/JUR/RBF). In respect of cross-border activities with a UK element, the team plays a liaison role in dealing with colleagues from SG legal and compliance departments across the globe to ensure compliance with financial regulation. The team may from time to time also manage, in conjunction with the Group Litigation Department (SEGL/JUR/LDC), the progress of contentious regulatory matters affecting the UK.

Summary of the key purposes of the role

Assist the General Counsel, London and the Head of Financial Services Regulation (SEGL/JUR London) in discharging the London Legal Department's regulatory watch responsibilities, by:
• identifying new laws and regulations and changes to existing laws and regulations that may impact on the SG Group in the UK; and
• providing commentary and analysis on these changes for publication through the Bank's Legal Watch tool (ARGOS).

Drafting and amending a wide range of documentation arising out of the team's RTB and CTB responsibilities, including applications to regulators and other competent authorities; correspondence with regulators and other competent authorities; client agreements and service agreements with a regulatory element; and regulatory disclosures and disclaimers included in marketing and other client-facing documentation.

Reviewing and collating feedback within Legal on new and updated policies and procedures drafted by CFT.

Carrying out legal research to assist in advising colleagues within Legal, the front office and other functions on the Bank's responsibilities under the UK regulatory system, focusing in particular on rules and regulations promulgated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the UK Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA).

Working with and providing ad hoc support to other legal teams on regulatory matters as required.

The candidate will gain experience and knowledge of the Bank's legal and regulatory obligations and will work in close collaboration with both lawyers and internal clients.

Summary of responsibilities

Provide analysis and commentary on changes in law and regulation and their impact on the Bank.
Review, comment on and draft documentation to be submitted to the FCA, the PRA and other competent authorities.
Review, comment on and negotiate legal agreements.
Attend meetings and take minutes.
Carry out legal research.
Carry out general drafting tasks and proofreading.
From time to time, to assist with other matters lawyers in the team may require which may include general administrative tasks.

The candidate will receive training to enable them to do this, but after a couple of month the candidate will be expected to run files on their own, albeit supervised by lawyers within the team.

Level of Autonomy

Whilst, after a couple of month the candidate will be expected to run files on their own, they will be supervised by a senior lawyer.

Desired profile

Profile

Competencies

• University Graduate or equivalent.
• English law degree or higher level/academic/practical legal training.
• Previous experience working either in a bank or a law firm (including vacation schemes) advantageous but not essential.
• Knowledge of English law concepts.
• A base knowledge of and interest in the UK financial services regulatory regime.
• Suitability for, and/or track record in, working in a team.
• Ability to monitor own workload and meet work objectives.
• Self-motivation.
• Strong interpersonal and analytical skills.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite of applications, including Word.
• Ability to grasp concepts quickly.
• Ability to undertake and present research in a concise and practical manner.
• Intelligent, articulate, friendly and approachable.
• Fluent English.
• Other languages (especially French) a plus but not essential.

If you feel you have the required experience and qualifications, then please apply to the SG Resourcing Team, and we will manage your application. At Societe Generale, we believe our people are our strength and are core to the success of our business. As such, we search for, recruit and appoint the best available person on the basis of aptitude and ability, regardless of sex, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, pregnancy, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion, belief or gender reassignment.