Regulatory and Commercial Lawyer (Dublin)

Lazard is one of the world’s preeminent financial advisory and asset management firms. Our people and culture make the difference. While global in presence and reach, ours is a close, collaborative community of just over 3,000 professionals. Lazard is a place of continuous knowledge sharing, skill development and relationship building, where professionals grow and succeed together. Our entrepreneurial culture, flat structure and embrace of individual differences, allow creative ideas, original concepts, and unique perspectives to drive our business forward — and for careers to take flight.

Lazard Fund Managers (Ireland) Limited (LFMI or LAM Dublin) is a key part of the Lazard Asset Management group and a physical office was established in Dublin five years ago. LFMI is an Irish UCITS management company, which manages two Irish UCITS fund platforms and distributes French UCITS funds, managed by a French affiliate. LFMI has four branch offices for sales in Belgium, Spain, Sweden and the Netherlands.

Functions managed out of the Dublin office include operations; fund support; finance; and legal. The legal team includes a lawyer, compliance officer and an administrative assistant, but work on a collaborative basis with all teams in the Dublin office and elsewhere (as required).

Regulatory and Commercial Lawyer - Dublin

Role Profile:

LFMI are seeking a Regulatory and Commercial Lawyer (2/3 years +) to join the Dublin team. The successful candidate will report to the LAM Dublin Head of Legal and Compliance who is responsible for organizing, managing and overseeing the business of the Irish UCITS management company’s legal and compliance department, advice to its branch offices and the Lazard Irish fund platforms, assisting in the coordination with the various business units around the globe regarding distribution of the Irish UCITS funds and French UCITS funds, as well as working with external counsel and other external providers in relation to interaction with the Central Bank of Ireland and other relevant regulators. The Irish UCITS fund platforms represent over 32 funds with approximately $12 billion.

In addition to supporting the Head of Legal & Compliance in Dublin with the Irish UCITS business, a key requirement of the role will be the ability to provide support on both domestic and global (particularly from an EU perspective) regulatory projects. This will include emerging regulations, such as GDPR, DORA, SFDR, Regulatory Reporting, and other regulations impacting our business in Europe.

Responsibilities:

• To provide day-to-day general legal / regulatory support working within the Dublin Legal & Compliance team.

• As required, support emerging regulation projects in Europe (e.g., GDRP, DORA, SFDR, etc.).

• To keep up to date with any new laws or regulations affecting the LAM business, in particular with any new UCITS/AIFIM rules or other Central Bank of Ireland related rules or guidance that are applicable to LFMI.

• To assist in overseeing the administration and maintenance of the Irish UCITS funds (including the launch of new funds and amendments to existing funds), working with external counsel, the Board of Directors of LFMI and the Irish UCITS funds and the relevant business channels distributing the Irish UCITS funds and French UCITS funds.

• To assist in the preliminary drafting, negotiation and maintenance of distribution agreements, terms of business, and other client agreements or documentation for the Irish UCITS funds and French UCITS funds as well as general commercial contracts to meet business and regulatory requirements 

• To coordinate with our third-party service providers and advise internal teams registration requirements for the Irish UCITS funds in jurisdictions throughout the globe as required by the business, including for exam the initial review of paying agency agreements.

• To assist both legal and compliance departments in the maintenance of legal procedures and compliance policies to control legal documentation entered into by the LAM Dublin group of companies.

• To provide overall advice, support and assistance to the LAM Dublin Head of Legal and Compliance and Compliance officer in undertaking research in connection with European regulatory matters, supporting and working with the global legal and compliance teams and the business.

• Where necessary, to assist in instructing and assessing advice from external legal and compliance advisers and to manage and co-ordinate the use of such external resources in the most cost-efficient manner

• Knowledge of compliance requirements for UCITS and alternative funds would be beneficial. 

Essential Skills, Qualifications

• 2-3 years demonstrable legal and compliance experience in a law firm and / or financial services institution.

• Familiarity with the Central Bank of Ireland ONR system and fund approval process.

• Understanding/knowledge of local rules and regulations related to fund management and willingness / desire to gain exposure to global regulations / regulatory projects.

• Experience in drafting and reviewing general commercial contracts, licenses, NDAs and Supplier Terms & Conditions.

• Proactive, flexible and ‘hands on’ approach.

• Knowledge of UCITS Regulations, AML legislation, Central Bank of Ireland guidance and relevant EU Directives: for example, MiFID, Market Abuse Directive, DORA, GDRP, etc.

• Global outlook – must demonstrate ability to think and act globally.

• Analytical – ability to review and advise on dealing/investment errors and cost to business.

• Strong interpersonal skills/communication skills. 

• Ability to work collegiately within a small team.

• Strong report, writing and policy/procedure writing skills.

• IT Skills: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Charles River or similar monitoring system while not essential a plus

• Attention to detail/organizational skill/project planning.

• Knowledge of other regulatory jurisdictions useful.

• Foreign language skills are beneficial but not required.

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