The role of a legal advisor within investment banks

Nicolas Rainier, an admitted attorney and legal recruitment manager at Robert Walters, chats to a Legal Advisor at a well-known investment bank to find out more about their role within an investment bank.

What are the best things about your role?

Exposure within the bank and the opportunity to work with smart like-minded legal professionals.

What does your role as legal advisor at the investment bank involve?

• Legal implementation of asset finance, acquisition finance, debt capital markets and property finance transactions
• Advising the bank on the legal aspects of transactions as well as continued research into various aspects of the law and regulatory framework impacting on the legal viability of the transactions
• Reviewing of, among others, loan agreements, shareholders agreements, preference share agreements and security agreements
• Identifying and liaising with external attorneys to prepare the necessary documentation, reviewing these and negotiating with the client and their legal representatives to finalise the agreements
• Reviewing and vetting of various agreements on behalf of the banks

Explore opportunities within banking and financial services with the legal knowledge and experience obtained during practice and articles.

Why did you choose investment banking?

I wanted to explore opportunities within banking and financial services with the legal knowledge and experience obtained during practice and articles.

What does your typical day look like?

My daily responsibilities include:

• Drafting and reviewing financing and security documents
• Inter-creditor agreements
• Loan agreements
• Shareholders agreements
• Memorandums of incorporation
• Security documents including, cessions and guarantees
• Indemnity agreements
• Preference share agreements
• Legal opinion work
• Attending to mandate and term sheets
• Non-disclosure agreements
• Advising on equity interests
• Legal opinions
• Mandate letters ad term sheets
• Drafting and reviewing targets, plans and time lines
• Renewable energy projects
• Funding, project finance, investment advise
• Private equity
• Lending, project and equity

What advice would you give someone who has just completed their articles?

To obtain at least 3-4 years' PQE within private practice before exploring further opportunities within a bank or corporate environment.

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For more career advice please contact:

Nic Sephton-Poultney, Country Manager (South Africa)
nic.sephton-poultney@robertwalters.com
+27 (0) 11 881 2414