Legal Counsel

Legal Counsel

FirstBank UK is a globally recognised, top-tier bank who provide world-class services to various institutions and individuals. Offering a comprehensive range of retail and corporate financial services/products, this thriving business with over 10 million active customers in over 700 business locations is the oldest African bank in the UK. Due to business requirements, we are now looking to acquire the services of an experienced Legal Counsel.

• Please note that this is a hybrid role (3 days in the office, 2 days from home)

In this role, you will be part of the team supporting the Head of Legal Services to plan ahead and deliver our business strategy in line with our long-term goals and to build and maintain a first class in house legal department which ensures an efficient, hands-on and customer-centric service to the Bank and its clients.

Key Responsibilities:

• To assist in the review of, and the provision of advice on, transactional legal documentation in respect of the Bank’s business, including facility documentation in respect of the Bank’s lending portfolio.
• To review and advise on third party contracts, NDAs and commercial agreements as well as advise on legal queries received by the Legal Department from other areas of the Bank.
• To assist in the development and update of internal legal standardised documentation, departmental and business focused checklists.
• To undertake legal horizon scanning and support the preparation of periodic reports with findings and liaise with other stakeholders where required.
• To undertake legal research, prepare memoranda of advice and develop and maintain the legal knowledge database.
• To support the maintenance of legal adequate legal procedures and processes including the maintenance of registers, files and records.
• To support the development of a legal risk management framework.
• To support the implementation and maintenance of legal operations tools and initiatives.
• To manage vendor onboarding and periodic review for the Legal Department.

Key Skills/Experience:

• With (Post-Qualified Experience, (PQE) having qualified in private practice and gained experience as in-house counsel at a financial institution as a generalist but with a focus on cross-border emerging markets finance (including energy, national resources, oil, gas, infrastructure, trade finance).
• Good understanding of the regulatory environment the Bank operates in. Knowledge or and/or experience in private banking is a plus.
• Keen interest in legal technology.
• Qualified to practice as a solicitor in England and Wales. Law degree: England & Wales
• Strong communicator, results orientated, good at time management and building trust and credibility.
• Must be driven, articulate, proactive, flexible, approachable, and pragmatic. Must consider and evaluate risk in their approach.

In return we offer a fantastic benefits package including:

• Up to 10% employer pension contribution ​
• Life Assurance Cover
• Income protection ​
• Private Medical Insurance plan (upon successful completion of probation period) ​
• Contribution to glasses/contacts and eye testing
• Gym subsidy (up to £50 per month) ​
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee Assistance Program
• Interest Free season ticket loan for travel
• Birthday Leave ​
• 25 days annual leave, rising to 28 after 3 years and 30 after 8 years’ service
• Give As You Earn (GAYE)

The Curve Group is First Bank UK’s outsource partner for Recruitment and a "Data Processor". The Curve Group will hold the information you submit but First Bank UK will have access to it. You can find their privacy policy here: https://www.thecurvegroup.co.uk/privacy-policy/

First Bank is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.