Legal Counsel

A skilled and experienced financial services lawyer to serve as legal support for MFS’ operations outside of the US, in particular Luxembourg UCIT funds registered, passported and/or sold in various jurisdictions. The position will play a senior role in coordinating between MFS lawyers and internal stakeholders based in Boston, London and Luxembourg.

• Working collaboratively to provide strategic and pragmatic legal advice to protect the firm from legal, regulatory and reputational harm;
• Being responsible, under the supervision of senior management, for the legal and regulatory matters relating to the products, services and business operations conducted by MFS outside of the US.
• Preparing for and attending board and shareholders' meetings, documenting, drafting and or reviewing and circulating minutes and actions agreed upon;
• Maintenance of statutory records for entities and ensuring annual and ad-hoc filing requirements are met;
• Research, develop and prepare a variety of legal documentation, such as regulatory filings, corporate and shareholder governance documents, shareholder communication and notices, etc. Ensures all such documentation is in compliance with applicable multi-jurisdictional regulatory law.
• Review and determine applicability of new or evolving regulatory requirements with which MFS must comply in order to sustain existing markets and grow in new markets.
• Serves as legal adviser to business clients for special projects, including new fund-related product initiatives (new funds and share classes, liquidations, etc.), operational initiatives supporting the Funds, product governance, registering or offering Funds in new markets, etc..
• Liaise with the Conducting Persons of MFS’ Luxembourg Management Company on Fund and ManCo-related service matters.
• Assist in the management and use of external counsel for items in jurisdictions where MFS may not have appropriate experience.  Be able to manage working in a multi-jurisdictional environment over a broad range of topics.
• Negotiate, draft and review agreements over a wide variety of subject matter.
• Advise on and follow established procedures, policies, protocols, and schedules to ensure that work is performed in accordance with set deadlines.
• Manage support team by providing prioritization, direction, training and coaching in order to accomplish projects and tasks.
• Provide support for Legal, Compliance and Enterprise Risk Management (LCERM) Department initiatives and matters as needed.
• Assumes other responsibilities as requested.

• Bachelor’s Degree and Juris Doctorate (or similar) degree; Qualified to practice law in EMEA;
• Specialized legal experience in the applicable area of law either in-house or at a leading law firm;
• Experience as an attorney for global regulatory matters relating to the financial services industry (and in particular globally offered UCITS products) preferred;
• Excellent organization, communication and interpersonal skills;
• Must write effectively, have excellent attention to detail. Must be able to communicate effectively with the team and demonstrate an ability to build strong relationships across an array of departments;
• Must have the ability to formulate solutions to mitigate legal, regulatory and reputational risk while supporting business objectives, present to business partners with confidence and clarity, thrive in a team-orientated environment, and be able to take ownership of projects;
• Periodic travel may be required.
• Bachelor’s Degree and Juris Doctorate (or similar) degree; Qualified to practice law in EMEA;
• Minimum 6-8+ years of specialized legal experience in the applicable area of law either in-house or at a leading law firm;
• Experience as an attorney for global regulatory matters relating to the financial services industry (and in particular globally offered UCITS products) preferred;
• Excellent organization, communication and interpersonal skills;
• Must write effectively, have excellent attention to detail. Must be able to communicate effectively with the team and demonstrate an ability to build strong relationships across an array of departments;
• Must have the ability to formulate solutions to mitigate legal, regulatory and reputational risk while supporting business objectives, present to business partners with confidence and clarity, thrive in a team-orientated environment, and be able to take ownership of projects;
• Periodic travel may be required.

• Experience advising UCITS Funds preferred
• Experience on corporate matters (corporate secretary) preferred
• Excellent English language skills mandatory.

• Admitted to practice law in at least one EU member state or the United Kingdom