Legal Counsel

Roles and responsibilities

Our client, an established family-office, is seeking a Legal Counsel with a minimum of 5 years of experience who will support the company across Legal Advisory, Corporate Governance and Estate & Wealth Planning.

The Legal Counsel will provide comprehensive legal support to the Family Office, offering guidance on a wide range of legal issues including estate planning, asset protection, investment management, corporate governance, and family business operations. The role requires a deep understanding of both family dynamics and legal complexities to ensure compliance, minimize risks, and support the overall strategy of the family office.

Key Responsibilities:

Legal Advisory:

• Advise on a broad range of legal matters including real estate, tax, trusts, estate planning, and succession planning.
• Provide guidance on investment structures, fund formation, and capital deployment in various jurisdictions.
• Review and draft legal documents, including contracts, agreements, and memorandums.
• Ensure compliance with local and international laws affecting the family’s business interests.

Corporate Governance:

• Assist with corporate governance issues for family businesses, foundations, trusts, and investment entities.
• Ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements for all entities under the Family Office’s purview.
• Manage board meetings, resolutions, and shareholder agreements.

Risk Management & Compliance:

• Identify, assess, and mitigate legal risks in family office transactions and business operations.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure the office remains compliant with legal regulations.
• Manage relationships with external legal advisors, ensuring cost-effective and high-quality legal services.

Estate & Wealth Planning:

• Advise on estate planning and structuring to protect family wealth and ensure smooth succession.
• Collaborate with financial advisors to design and implement wealth transfer strategies.
• Provide legal oversight in creating trusts, wills, and other legal instruments for estate planning.

Family Governance:

• Assist in developing and maintaining family charters, constitutions, or similar governance structures.
• Mediate disputes between family members and offer legal guidance during family meetings.

Dispute Resolution:

• Manage litigation and arbitration processes, when necessary, ensuring minimal disruption to family interests.
• Coordinate with external legal counsel in case of legal disputes or international legal matters.

Tax and Regulatory:

• Collaborate with tax advisors on tax optimization and compliance strategies.
• Ensure the family office's operations align with tax laws in relevant jurisdictions.

Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Law (LLB) or Juris Doctor (JD). Master’s in Law (LLM) in taxation, trusts, or corporate law is an advantage.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5-7 years of legal experience, with a focus on family offices, wealth management, corporate law, or estate planning.
• Previous experience in a law firm, financial institution, or as in-house counsel is preferred.

Desired candidate profile

Legal Expertise

1. Legal Research and Analysis

   • Conducting thorough research on laws, regulations, and legal precedents.
   • Analyzing and interpreting complex legal information to provide actionable insights.

2. Contract Drafting and Negotiation

   • Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts, agreements, and other legal documents.
   • Ensuring terms and conditions are favorable and compliant with the law.

3. Corporate Law Knowledge

   • Understanding laws governing business operations, mergers, acquisitions, and governance.
   • Advising on compliance with corporate policies and regulatory requirements.

4. Litigation and Dispute Resolution

   • Representing the organization in legal proceedings or coordinating with external counsel.
   • Managing mediation, arbitration, and settlement processes.

5. Regulatory Compliance

   • Ensuring the organization adheres to applicable laws, industry standards, and ethical guidelines.
   • Keeping up-to-date with evolving regulations.

Strategic and Analytical Skills

1. Risk Management

   • Identifying legal risks and proposing mitigation strategies.
   • Anticipating potential legal challenges and offering preventive solutions.

2. Strategic Thinking

   • Aligning legal advice with the organization’s business objectives.
   • Balancing legal risks with commercial opportunities.

3. Attention to Detail

   • Reviewing documents and agreements to identify inconsistencies or potential issues.

Soft Skills

1. Communication Skills

   • Verbal: Explaining legal concepts to non-legal stakeholders clearly and effectively.
   • Written: Preparing concise and persuasive legal documents, reports, and correspondence.

2. Negotiation Skills

   • Achieving favorable outcomes in contracts, settlements, and disputes.
   • Balancing firmness with diplomacy.

3. Problem-Solving

   • Addressing complex legal issues with innovative and practical solutions.

4. Interpersonal Skills

   • Building strong relationships with internal teams, external counsel, and regulatory bodies.

5. Ethical Judgment and Integrity

   • Upholding high ethical standards and protecting the organization’s reputation.