Assistant General Counsel (London)

Position Title: Assistant General Counsel (London)

Entity: Kroll Bond Rating Agency UK Limited

Employment Type: Full-time

Location: London, England 

Summary/Overview:

Kroll Bond Rating Agency UK Limited and its affiliates (“KBRA”) are seeking an Assistant General Counsel to join the Legal Department. You will be enthusiastic, highly motivated, have a strong work ethic and be well-equipped to work closely with other members of the Legal Department on the types of matters described below in addition to other matters that may arise. The position will be based out of our London office.  

About the Team:

The Legal Department handles all of KBRA’s legal matters, with the exception of ratings analysis and determinations. The Legal Department works with analysts, compliance, finance, technology and senior management across the company.

About the Job:

As an Assistant General Counsel, your responsibilities may span a broad range of in-house legal matters and may include the review, negotiation and drafting of client engagement letters; subscription agreements with clients across various product offerings; vendor agreements for various types of services and products; all other types of contracts to which KBRA may be a party; and management of KBRA’s contracts. Your work may also extend to legal and regulatory matters arising across KBRA’s U.S., UK, EU, and broader international operations.

You may also be responsible for the following:

• Corporate Governance: You will support corporate governance matters, including assisting with board and committee meetings, preparation of materials, and related governance processes and documentation.
• Engagement Letters/Business Development: You will review, negotiate and draft engagement letters with clients across all sectors in which KBRA issues ratings, including structured finance, project finance, and financial institutions. You will serve as a resource for our Business Development teams with respect to questions that arise during the client engagement process.
• Data Privacy/Cybersecurity: You will gain familiarity with data privacy laws in the jurisdictions in which KBRA operates, collaborate with the Information Security team on best practices across jurisdictions, and support the implementation of cybersecurity, operational resilience, and related regulatory requirements.
• Regulatory Framework: You will gain familiarity with the regulatory framework, laws and regulations applicable to credit rating agencies and how regulations affect all aspects of KBRA. You will advise KBRA’s employees about the applicability of regulations on KBRA’s day-to-day work.
• Compliance: You will collaborate with the Compliance Department on discrete and ongoing matters before the UK Financial Conduct Authority, European Securities and Market Authority, or US Securities and Exchange Commission, including annual examinations, submissions and various requests.
• Regulatory Affairs: You will collaborate with KBRA’s Regulatory and Government Affairs group to the extent necessary, to assist in research on credit rating agency regulation in other jurisdictions, the preparation of registration documents, and respond to regulatory requests.
• Intellectual Property: You will assist with protecting KBRA’s intellectual property, including filing and managing trademark and copyright registrations, and negotiating license agreements.

About You:

You will be successful in this role if you have:

• A qualifying law degree (or equivalent) and are admitted to practise as a solicitor in England and Wales with a current practising certificate, or otherwise authorised to practise law (e.g., have registered in-house status) in England and Wales.
• 6-14 years of post-qualification experience.
• Strong experience in reviewing, drafting and negotiating agreements.
• Familiarity with corporate governance matters.
• Knowledge of securities laws and experience working in highly regulated environments.
• Experience with structured finance, capital markets, and mergers and acquisitions experience are a plus.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills. Writing samples may be requested.
• Strong research, analysis, organizational, and project management skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Employment law experience is a plus.
• Familiarity with Generative AI tools such as ChatGPT for research, data insights, and general productivity is a plus.

Benefits

• A flexible hybrid work schedule - Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays in the office
• Competitive benefits and paid time off
• Pension plan
• Educational and professional development financial assistance
• Employee referral bonus program

About Us

KBRA (Kroll Bond Rating Agency, LLC) is a full-service credit rating agency registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as an NRSRO. Kroll Bond Rating Agency Europe Limited is registered as a CRA with the European Securities and Markets Authority. Kroll Bond Rating Agency UK Limited is registered as a CRA with the UK Financial Conduct Authority pursuant to the Temporary Registration Regime. In addition, KBRA is designated as a designated rating organization by the Ontario Securities Commission for issuers of asset-backed securities to file a short form prospectus or shelf prospectus. KBRA is also recognized by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners as a Credit Rating Provider. Kroll Bond Rating Agency UK is located at 1st Floor, Marble Arch House, 66 Seymour Street, London W1H 5BT, England.