Legal Associate

Job Description:

Legal Associate with Litigation Experience, Internal Legal Department

Spartan Financial Group, a dynamic and rapidly expanding financial institution, is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Legal Associate to join our dedicated internal legal department. This pivotal role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the core legal function of our organization, providing comprehensive legal support across a broad spectrum of corporate and commercial matters. We are specifically looking for an individual with a strong background in litigation, demonstrating a proven ability to navigate complex legal challenges and drive successful outcomes.

Please note: This is a hands-on, transactional and advisory legal role, and NOT a regulatory compliance focused position. While an understanding of regulatory frameworks is beneficial, the primary focus of this role is on the practical application of legal principles to our business operations and the robust management of our legal affairs.

The successful candidate will be responsible for a diverse range of critical legal activities, including but not limited to:

• Pre-Approval Deal Vetting and Risk Mitigation: Playing a crucial role in the initial stages of our business operations, the Legal Associate will meticulously assist with the comprehensive vetting of the terms and conditions of potential deals from a rigorous legal perspective. This involves a thorough analysis of contractual clauses, identifying potential legal risks, and proactively proposing solutions to mitigate these risks prior to the Credit Committee’s final approval of any given deal. This proactive engagement is essential for safeguarding Spartan’s interests and ensuring long-term financial stability.
• Expert Drafting of Legal Documentation: You will be instrumental in the drafting of a wide array of legal agreements and related documentation. Leveraging our established standard templates, you will be responsible for preparing precise and legally sound documents such as, but not limited to, Loan Agreements, Pledge and Cession Agreements, Guarantees, Security Documents, and various ancillary agreements. The ability to accurately adapt and customize these templates to specific deal requirements, ensuring legal enforceability and clarity, is paramount.
• Strategic Instruction of External Counsel for Security Registration: This role entails strategically instructing and coordinating with external attorneys to ensure the timely and accurate registration of various types of securities. This includes, for example, the registration of mortgage bonds, special notarial bonds, and other forms of collateral, which are vital for securing Spartan’s lending interests and mitigating credit risk. Effective communication and oversight of external legal processes will be key.
• Facilitating Seamless Deal Implementation and Execution: The Legal Associate will serve as a central point of contact, actively liaising with internal colleagues across various departments (e.g., Credit, Operations, Finance) regarding the conditions, implementation milestones, and successful execution of all approved deals. This requires strong interpersonal skills, a collaborative approach, and the ability to effectively communicate complex legal requirements to non-legal stakeholders.
• Ensuring Comprehensive Pre-Disbursement Compliance: A critical responsibility involves meticulously ensuring compliance with all other conditions stipulated within a deal agreement prior to the disbursement of funds. This involves a detailed checklist approach to verify that all legal, operational, and financial prerequisites have been met, thereby minimizing Spartan’s exposure to risk and upholding contractual obligations.
• Proactive Project Management of Commercial Recovery Matters: Leveraging your litigation experience, you will take ownership of project managing commercial recovery matters, both internally and in close collaboration with external legal advisors. This comprehensive responsibility spans the entire recovery lifecycle, from the strategic initiation of legal action through to the full and final receipt of recovered funds. This includes developing recovery strategies, managing external legal teams, negotiating settlements, and overseeing enforcement actions.
• Ongoing General Portfolio Monitoring: The role involves continuous general monitoring of Spartan’s legal portfolio, proactively identifying potential legal issues, contractual breaches, or emerging risks that could impact the organization. This includes reviewing existing agreements, tracking litigation progress, and reporting on key legal metrics.
• Providing Expert Legal Advice and Services: You will serve as a trusted legal advisor, providing comprehensive legal advice and services to the organization across a broad spectrum of corporate and commercial matters. This includes interpreting complex laws and regulations, providing guidance on contractual obligations, advising on corporate governance, and offering strategic insights to senior management.
• Diligent KYC/FICA/AML/PEP Checks: The Legal Associate will be responsible for meticulously performing Know Your Customer (KYC), Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FICA), Anti-Money Laundering (AML), and Politically Exposed Person (PEP) checks on all clients. This critical function ensures compliance with stringent regulatory requirements, mitigates financial crime risks, and upholds Spartan’s commitment to ethical business practices.
• Drafting and Finalizing Term Sheets and Facility Agreements: You will be instrumental in the drafting of Term Sheets, meticulously ensuring that they accurately and comprehensively encapsulate all the agreed-upon terms and conditions of credit approvals. Furthermore, you will perform general administration in respect of the preparation and finalization of facility agreements, ensuring all documentation is accurate, complete, and legally sound.
• Responsive Legal Support to Internal and External Stakeholders: The Legal Associate will be the primary point of contact for and attend to queries from credit analysts, operations teams, and clients, providing expert legal guidance and clarification. You will also be responsible for providing comprehensive legal expertise and insights to the Credit Committee, facilitating informed decision-making.
• Drafting Diverse Legal Documentation: This role requires the ability to draft a wide variety of legal documentation, including regulatory required documents, non-standard security agreements tailored to unique circumstances, and corporate resolutions, ensuring precision, compliance, and legal enforceability in all contexts.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a proactive and experienced Legal Associate to make a significant impact within a growing financial institution. If you possess a strong litigation background, a meticulous eye for detail, and a commitment to delivering high-quality legal support, we encourage you to apply.

About the Role:

We are seeking a highly meticulous and experienced legal professional to join our dynamic team. This critical role is centered around ensuring the absolute integrity and efficiency of our documentation processes. The successful candidate will be the cornerstone of our legal administrative function, responsible for guaranteeing that all legal documents are not only current and meticulously signed off according to established protocols, but also that every piece of required information is accurately and comprehensively loaded onto our internal systems. This isn’t just about compliance; it’s about safeguarding the company’s interests, mitigating risks, and ensuring seamless operations within a fast-paced financial services environment. You will play a pivotal role in maintaining the highest standards of legal administration, directly impacting the company’s legal standing and operational effectiveness.

Required Qualifications:

To be considered for this demanding yet rewarding position, candidates must possess a robust legal background and demonstrable experience. Specifically, we require:

• Admitted Attorney: You must be a fully admitted attorney, licensed to practice within the relevant jurisdiction. This is a non-negotiable requirement, signifying your foundational legal expertise and adherence to professional standards.
• Law Degree (LLB or equivalent): A comprehensive understanding of legal principles and frameworks is paramount. Therefore, a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or an equivalent legal degree from a recognized institution is essential. This academic foundation will underpin your ability to navigate complex legal scenarios and provide sound legal support.
• 5+ Years Post-Articles Work Experience: Beyond your foundational legal education, we require a minimum of five years of practical, post-articles work experience. This experience should ideally be within a commercial legal setting, allowing you to bring a wealth of practical knowledge and a proven track record of handling legal matters independently and effectively. This experience will be crucial in demonstrating your ability to apply legal theory to real-world business challenges.

Desired Skills:

While a strong legal foundation is essential, the ideal candidate will also possess a distinct set of soft and technical skills that enable them to excel in this role and contribute positively to our team culture. We are particularly interested in individuals who demonstrate:

• Exceptional Emotional Intelligence (EQ): This encompasses a deep level of self-awareness, allowing you to understand your own strengths and limitations; strong self-management skills, enabling you to regulate your emotions and maintain professionalism under pressure; the ability to “read the room” and intuitively understand social dynamics; and the capacity to “manage the room,” guiding discussions and interactions effectively. Your EQ will be vital in navigating sensitive legal situations and fostering productive relationships.
• Obsessive Attention to Documentation Control: We are looking for someone who genuinely understands the profound impact of incorrect or incomplete paperwork. This isn’t just about being organized; it’s about having an almost obsessive commitment to accuracy, precision, and the meticulous management of all legal documents. You should inherently grasp that a single misplaced or erroneous document can have significant financial, reputational, and legal repercussions.
• Meticulous Attention to Detail: In legal administration, every comma, every clause, and every date matters. Your ability to consistently identify minute discrepancies, review documents with unwavering scrutiny, and ensure absolute accuracy in all outputs is paramount.
• Highly Organized & Professional Work Ethic: You will be managing a significant volume of critical legal documents and processes. A highly organized approach, coupled with a professional demeanor and a commitment to delivering high-quality work consistently, is absolutely essential. You should be able to prioritize effectively, meet deadlines, and maintain a structured workflow.
• Proactive Initiative & Rapid Learning Capability: We operate in a dynamic environment where legal requirements and internal systems can evolve. We need an individual who is not afraid to take initiative, identify areas for improvement, and proactively seek out new knowledge. The ability to quickly assimilate new information, adapt to changing circumstances, and master new procedures with minimal supervision is highly valued.
• Excellent Communication Skills (Both Verbal and Written): You will be communicating complex legal information to various stakeholders, both internally and externally. Your ability to articulate legal concepts clearly, concisely, and persuasively, whether in written reports, emails, or verbal discussions, is critical. This includes the ability to draft professional, legally sound correspondence and agreements.
• Comfort Engaging with Stakeholders at All Levels: You will interact with colleagues from various departments, senior management, external legal counsel, and potentially clients. The ability to communicate effectively and professionally with individuals at all organizational levels, adapting your communication style as needed, is crucial for building rapport and ensuring smooth collaboration.
• Comfort Dealing with Conflict and Litigation Related to Recoveries: This role may involve exposure to challenging situations, including conflict resolution and aspects of litigation, particularly concerning financial recoveries. The ideal candidate will be resilient, possess strong negotiation skills, and be able to handle such sensitive matters with composure and strategic thinking.
• Techno Savvy: Proficiency with modern legal technologies, document management systems, and standard office software is expected. The ability to quickly learn and adapt to new software platforms and leverage technology to enhance efficiency is highly desirable. Familiarity with legal research databases and e-discovery tools would be a significant advantage.

Remuneration:

Compensation for this vital role will be highly competitive and commensurate with your proven experience, legal expertise, and the prevailing market rates for similar positions within the financial services industry. We believe in attracting and retaining top talent, and your salary will reflect the significant value you bring to our organization.

Application Requirements:

To ensure a comprehensive review of your qualifications, please submit the following:

• Comprehensive Curriculum Vitae (CV): Your CV should provide a detailed overview of your academic background, professional experience, key achievements, and relevant skills. Please ensure it clearly highlights your legal expertise and experience in document management.
• Compelling Motivation Letter: This is your opportunity to articulate why you are the ideal candidate for this specific role. Please detail your relevant experience, highlight how your skills align with the desired qualifications, and express your genuine interest in working within our financial services environment. We are keen to understand your passion for legal accuracy and your commitment to this type of role.

Industry:

This position is within the dynamic and highly regulated Financial Services industry. Experience or a keen interest in this sector will be beneficial, as it will allow for a quicker understanding of the specific legal and compliance landscape.

Job Type:

This is a Full-time position, requiring your dedicated commitment during standard business hours, with potential for occasional extended hours based on business needs and critical deadlines.

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