Legal Counsel / Legal Documentation Negotiator

Legal Counsel / Legal Documentation Negotiator

Legal / Tax / Insurance Permanent contract Montreal, Quebec, Canada Hybrid. Reference 25000L9C. Start date 2026/01/05. Publication date 2025/10/15.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, negotiate, and track the execution of master trading documentation, with an emphasis on repurchase and securities lending documentation including GMRA/MRA, GMSLA/MSLA, SIFMA Master Treasury Clearing Agreement: Done-With and related documentation including custodial undertakings.
• Prepare, negotiate, and track the execution of other master trading documentation including: ISDA Master Agreements, Credit Support Annexes (VM and IM), account control agreements, guarantees, confidentiality agreements and related documents for bank clients and counterparties.
• Review client constituent documents and perform legal due diligence with respect to enforceability of close‑out netting, authority and other capacity issues.
• Review client feedback and alternative forms and summarize issues related to trading documentation.
• Coordinate with legal, credit, front office, collateral departments to resolve legal/risk/operational issues and obtain relevant approvals.
• Provide updates to internal marketing and client relationship staff.
• Work with external counsel to resolve more complex issues, such as ERISA and bankruptcy.
• Follow‑up with clients and external counsel to expedite negotiations and to address blocking points.
• Maintain/update internal documentation templates, procedures, policy guidelines, etc.
• Oversee execution and closing procedures.
• Update global documentation databases.
• Field internal inquiries regarding status of agreements, specific trade terms, policies, etc.
• Internal bank projects relating to various legal, regulatory and operational topics.

Division Description

The mission of the Legal Department is to protect Société Générale from legal, regulatory, reputational, and other risks, while at the same time assisting the business units in the achievement of their legitimate business interests by providing effective and quality legal services and advice, drafting and reviewing legal documentation and ensuring that business is conducted in compliance with relevant laws and regulations. The Legal Department is also responsible for (a) overseeing litigation, enforcement actions and investigations; (b) promoting a strong and ethical legal culture within the Americas; and (c) identifying and mitigating legal risk arising. The members of the Canadian Legal Department work closely with the American Legal Department as we form the Americas Legal Group, and thereby collaborate on regional projects and strive to align on key principles, policies and procedures, and on cross‑border business transactions and activities.

Skills and Qualifications

Technical Skills

• Intelligent, strong personality and good organization skills.
• Ability to exercise prudent commercial judgement.
• Ability to learn and explore responsibilities beyond core/initial areas of experience.

Competencies

• Several years “hands on” experience negotiating:
  • GMRA, GMSLA, MRA and MSLA documentation.
  • ISDA Master Agreements and related documentation.
  • Other standard sales and trading agreements and related documentation.
  • Non‑standard sales and trading documentation.
• Experience with issues relating to documentation of relations with various types of entities (hedge funds, private equity funds, pension funds, investment managers, etc.) requiring entity specific tailoring of sales and trading documentation.
• Familiarity with US and EMIR regulations applicable to derivatives, repurchase and securities lending.
• Ability to balance commercial needs while protecting the interests of the bank.
• Ability to communicate complex legal concepts in a commercially accessible manner.
• Ability to deal with different people and build consensus.
• Ability to work independently.

Qualifications

Experience Needed

• At least 3+ years experience in foregoing subject areas. More experience is acceptable, but not required.

Desired / Plus

• In‑house experience in foregoing subject areas is plus.
• Admission to a Canadian or a New York state Bar is a plus.

Educational Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree.

Language

• Ability to communicate in English, both orally and in writing, is a requirement as the person in this position will need to collaborate regularly with colleagues and partners in the United States.

Other Requirements

• Due to US Federal Securities law applying to this position, candidates who will apply for this position will be required to submit to an enhanced background screening, including the collection of their fingerprints by a third‑party vendor selected by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).

Benefits

• Minimum of 20 vacation days + 4 personal days.
• Supportive maternity, paternity, parental and adoption leave policy.
• Health spending ($2,000/year) and personal spending ($1,000/year) accounts with 75+ eligible reimbursement categories (health, training, electronics etc.).
• Fully sponsored virtual healthcare assistance and Employee Assistance Program to you and your immediate family.
• Various Employee Resource Groups (ERG) to engage with such as Pride and Allies, American Women Network, Black Leadership Network, One planet, etc.
• A culture of continuous development by encouraging our employees various training programs (online training and coaching platform such as Coursera, GoFluent, Pluralsight, First Finance, and others).