Assistant General Counsel & Vice President; Attorney - Global Markets

Job Description:

At Bank of America, we are guided by a common purpose to help make financial lives better through the power of every connection. We do this by driving Responsible Growth and delivering for our clients, teammates, communities and shareholders every day.

Being a Great Place to Work is core to how we drive Responsible Growth. This includes our commitment to being an inclusive workplace, attracting and developing exceptional talent, supporting our teammates’ physical, emotional, and financial wellness, recognizing and rewarding performance, and how we make an impact in the communities we serve.

Bank of America is committed to an in-office culture with specific requirements for office-based attendance and which allows for an appropriate level of flexibility for our teammates and businesses based on role-specific considerations.

At Bank of America, you can build a successful career with opportunities to learn, grow, and make an impact. Join us!
 

Job Description:

This role would be in a team with another senior Global Markets lawyer based in Tokyo and will report into the Asia Head of Equities Legal in Hong Kong.

Providing legal analysis and advice to the Global Markets (FICC and Equities) businesses in Japan.

Additionally, supporting Global Markets transactions originated from the Investment Banking/Global Capital Markets businesses in Japan.

Responsibilities:

• Legal analysis and advice/judgment as to the following area and/or preparation of proper documentation to manage risks for the company:
  • Fixed income, currencies and commodities, related derivatives transactions;
  • SPV Repack transactions/Securitized products/Structured Notes;
  • Equities and equity derivatives;
  • Futures and Options;
  • Distribution of various products wrappers linked to BofA proprietary indices.
  • Other Global Markets activities including transactions originated from Investment Banking/Capital Markets;
  • Ancillary analysis related to the above including licencing,
  • Global Markets Regulatory Reform
• Also assist with other Japan Legal matters such as:
  • Outsourcing; and
  • Resolution and Recovery Plan
• Co-working with the wider Asia Global Markets Legal team, other lawyers in Japan as well as in other regions
• Co-working with compliance and other departments to keep the proper governance and control of the business units in place
• Management of external counsels

Skills:

• At least 6+ years PQE and admitted to practice law in Japan (although, will consider other jurisdictions, depending on experience)
• Legal practice qualification in another jurisdiction is a plus (not required)
• Business level fluency in both Japanese and English in both written and spoken to communicate effectively with stakeholders, regulators and industry groups
• In-depth understanding of and sufficient work experience on:
  • Financial instruments and Exchange Act, Act on the Investment Trust and Investment Company, Banking Act, Act on Securitization of Assets, Trust Act, Trust Business Act, rules of the conflict  of laws, Bankruptcy Act, Civil Rehabilitation Act, Corporation Rehabilitation Act, Act on the Netting of Specified Financial Transactions, JSDA rules, Tokyo Stock Exchange rules, rules of Japan Securities Clearing Corporation, Company Act, Act on Book-entry of Shares, Bonds, etc., Civil Code, Commercial Code, etc.;
  • Derivatives, Stock lending, and repo related documentations (ISDA, GMSLA, GMRA and Japanese law equivalents); and
  • Understanding of Dodd Frank Act, Volcker Rule, Reg W, MiFID, EMIR, etc. is a plus.
• Strong interpersonal and social skills with team-work oriented mindset
• Ability to think flexibly and proactively suggest solutions to achieve the business goals
• Excellent research and legal writing skills
• Solid understanding of Global Markets business practice and industry custom
• Willingness to work as a member of a local, regional and global team and strong curiosity to changing financial practice and environment