Legal Counsel – Equity Finance
Role Summary
Mizuho Americas is seeking an experienced Legal Counsel to support its equity sales and trading platform, with a focus on equity finance (margin lending, equity repo, securities lending, delta-one swaps). This role works closely with front‑office, risk, and operations partners to manage legal and regulatory risk, negotiate complex trading documentation, and support a broad range of equity and equity‑linked products in a fast‑paced markets environment.
Key Responsibilities
Provide legal coverage for the structured equity finance business.
Support LP fund financing, full-recourse margin lending, equity repo (bi-lateral and tri-party), securities lending and delta-one equity swaps.
Provide legal guidance on margin lending regulations, FINRA, Regulation T, and Regulation U compliance.
Provide guidance on Dodd-Frank and rules applicable to Security-Based Swaps (SBS) and Security-Based Swap Dealers (SBSD).
Draft and negotiate credit agreements, loan agreements and related fund financing and margin lending documentation.
Draft and negotiate securities financing documentation, including MRAs and MSLAs and equity swap MCAs; maintain and enhance standard documentation templates.
Partner closely with Credit, Market Risk, Collateral Management, Operations, and other internal stakeholders to address legal, operational and risk matters.
Qualifications
Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited U.S. law school.
Member in good standing of the New York State Bar.
10+ years of relevant legal experience within a financial institution or top‑tier law firm.
Proven ability to manage multiple complex matters and tight deadlines in a trading‑floor environment.
Proactive, resourceful, and able to operate independently while exercising sound judgment.
Detail‑oriented, collaborative team player with strong interpersonal skills.
Excellent written, verbal, organizational, and presentation skills.
Demonstrated professionalism and strong work ethic.
The expected base salary ranges from $230,000.00. - $275,000.00. Salary offers are based on a wide range of factors including relevant skills, training, experience, education, and, where applicable, certifications and licenses obtained. Market and organizational factors are also considered. In addition to salary and a generous employee benefits package, successful candidates are eligible to receive a discretionary bonus.
Other requirements
Mizuho has in place a hybrid working program, with varying opportunities for remote work depending on the nature of the role, needs of your department, as well as local laws and regulatory obligations. Roles in some of our departments have greater in-office requirements that will be communicated to you as part of the recruitment process.
Company Overview
Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. is the 15th largest bank in the world as measured by total assets of ~$2 trillion. Mizuho's 60,000 employees worldwide offer comprehensive financial services to clients in 35 countries and 800 offices throughout the Americas, EMEA and Asia. Mizuho Americas is a leading provider of corporate and investment banking services to clients in the US, Canada, and Latin America. Through its acquisition of Greenhill, Mizuho provides M&A, restructuring and private capital advisory capabilities across Americas, Europe and Asia. Mizuho Americas employs approximately 3,500 professionals, and its capabilities span corporate and investment banking, capital markets, equity and fixed income sales & trading, derivatives, FX, custody and research. Visit www.mizuhoamericas.com.
Mizuho Americas offers a competitive total rewards package.
We are an EEO/AA Employer - M/F/Disability/Veteran.
We participate in the E-Verify program.
We maintain a drug-free workplace and reserve the right to require pre- and post-hire drug testing as permitted by applicable law.
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