Lawyer recruitment
The Department
The EMEA Structured Finance Group reviews a wide range of complex and innovative products and is segregated into six main areas:
1. ABS – Asset Backed Securities
2. ABCP – Asset Backed Commercial Paper
3. RMBS – Residential Mortgage Backed Securities
4. CMBS – Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities Property Related Operating Deals
5. Covered Bonds
6. Structured Credit
The EMEA Structured Finance Legal Team provides support to each of the rating teams in relation to legal risks that are relevant to Moody’s rating analysis.
The Role
The successful candidate will be responsible for identifying credit-relevant legal risks, reviewing transaction documents and legal opinions, participating in rating committees and communicating Moody’s legal criteria to the market. This role is ideal for lawyers with in-house or private practice experience who are seeking to apply their legal skills within the context of credit risk assessment with the responsibility to provide an important contribution to Moody’s rating analysis of structured finance transactions.
Key Responsibilities:
- Reviewing legal documentation (especially swap documents) and opinions to assess compliance with Moody’s rating criteria.
- Analysis of complex transaction structures to identify legal risks that may have a ratings impact.
- Monitoring legal developments that affect Moody’s rating criteria.
- Advising and working with rating analysts.
- Participating in rating committees.
- Providing legal training to the rating teams.
- Publishing articles to communicate Moody’s legal criteria to market participants.
Experience
- At least one year within the structured finance department of a law firm or financial institution.
- Good experience of reviewing/drafting English language documents.
- Understanding and knowledge of structured finance and the role of rating agencies.
Qualifications
- Excellent academics.
- Legally qualified in England or another key European jurisdiction.
Key Skills – Technical
- Excellent legal reasoning and drafting skills.
- Logical and analytical with potential to develop credit analysis skills.
Key Skills – Non Technical
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Highest ethical standards.
- Professional, pro-active, flexible, diligent and dependable.
- Ability to work on own initiative, without the need for close supervision.
- Highly organised and efficient, with ability to multi-task and able to meet tight deadlines.
- Sound judgment – capable of developing independent opinion and defending own views.
Languages
- Excellent English language skills (both written and verbal) essential.
- A second language (Spanish, French, Dutch or Italian) desirable.