Global Financial Crimes: Legal Advisory - Financial Crimes Counsel (Americas)

Job Number: 3133802

POSTING DATE:  Jun 10, 2019

PRIMARY LOCATION:  Americas-United States of America-New York-New York

EDUCATION LEVEL:  Refer to Position Description

JOB:  Legal and Compliance

EMPLOYMENT TYPE:  Full Time

JOB LEVEL:  Executive Director

DESCRIPTION

Company Profile

Morgan Stanley is a leading global financial services firm providing a wide range of investment banking, securities, investment management and wealth management services.  The Firm’s employees serve clients worldwide including corporations, governments and individuals from more than 1,200 offices in 43 countries.

As a market leader, the talent and passion of our people is critical to our success.  Together, we share a common set of values rooted in integrity, excellence and strong team ethic.  Morgan Stanley can provide a superior foundation for building a professional career – a place for people to learn, to achieve and grow.  A philosophy that balances personal lifestyles, perspectives and needs is an important part of our culture.

Department Profile

Global Financial Crimes (GFC) coordinates day-to-day implementation of the Firm’s enterprise-wide financial crime prevention efforts. GFC includes several legal and compliance disciplines and has responsibility for governance, oversight and execution of the Firm’s Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Sanctions, Anti-Corruption and Government and Political Activities Compliance programs.  GFC also develops and/or assists in the development of appropriate policies and procedures, including those designed to assist the business units to know their clients and conduct appropriate due diligence and to prevent, detect and report potentially suspicious activity.  GFC has dedicated coverage managers and teams of analysts who advise and counsel each business unit regarding its AML, economic sanctions and anti-corruption obligations and its particular clients and transactions.

Group Profile

Morgan Stanley is committed to a strong GFC program to protect against the use of the Firm’s products, services, and facilities for prohibited transactions or the purpose of evading, avoiding or otherwise circumventing sanctions, AML or anti-corruption laws and regulations. The Firm has adopted a comprehensive, risk-based program to ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations and government guidance. GFC Legal Advisory provides legal advice, expertise, and guidance to all business lines and works closely with senior members of GFC in support of the enterprise-wide program.

Primary Responsibilities

The Financial Crimes Counsel will be part of a global team of in-house attorneys collectively responsible for coverage of legal and regulatory matters pertaining to AML, sanctions, and anti-corruption issues for all business units.  This role will focus primarily on AML legal and regulatory issues, but will include aspects of sanctions and anti-corruption coverage as well. 

Specific job responsibilities include:

• Provide legal advice and support to business and compliance teams on issues related to AML, sanctions, and anti-corruption laws and regulations, including the USA PATRIOT Act, Bank Secrecy Act, OFAC/HMT regulations, U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), UK Bribery Act, etc.

• Advise on issues related to Know Your Customer (KYC) obligations, including reviewing complex structures and higher risk customers for AML related-risks Draft and negotiate contractual provisions pertaining to AML, sanctions, and anti-corruption issues across all business lines

• Review, advise on, and oversee the execution of transactional due diligence pertaining to AML, sanctions, and anti-corruption concerns

• Assist in identifying and reporting suspicious activity

• Understand, advise on, and assist with implementing the Firm's Global KYC Standards across the Firm

• Review, interpret, and advise on relevant laws and industry best practices pertaining to AML

• Participate in internal governance committees

• Represent the Firm in relevant industry groups and other external forums

• Assist, and work with outside counsel as necessary, in representing the Firm before regulatory authorities in matters related to AML legal issues

• Assist with responding to U.S. regulatory exams and other inquiries, and internal audits, including overseeing document productions

• Provide support for special projects arising from the administration of the GFC program

• Develop content for and deliver specialized training to relevant internal audiences concerning AML legal issues

• Liaise and coordinate within GFC and with key stakeholders across the Firm, including Legal, Compliance, Regulatory Relations, and Risk, to ensure appropriate execution of the Firm's enterprise-wide financial crimes prevention program

QUALIFICATIONS

Skills Required

Candidates must have:

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree with strong academic credentials

• Minimum of 5-10 years of relevant experience, preferably at a large/complex financial institution, law firm, or government/regulatory body

• Detailed understanding of the laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to AML as well as sanctions and anti-corruption

• Ability to understand and assess a wide variety of complex commercial transactions

• Highly-motivated self-starter able to work independently while collaborating and coordinating as part of a global program

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills and the ability to provide viable solutions in a time-sensitive environment

• Exceptional written and verbal communications skills, attention to detail, and effective time management

• Strong project management skills

• Sound judgment and an ability to appropriately escalate issues internally

• Proven ability to handle highly confidential information professionally and with appropriate discretion

• Outstanding interpersonal skills and team-player attitude

• Proficiency with MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook

• Certification as an Anti-Money Laundering Specialist by ACAMS or equivalent AML certification/license - or certification within first 15 months of employment

Skills desired

• Strong understanding of financial markets and banking transactions

• Relevant government or regulatory experience (i.e., SEC, DOJ, FINRA)