Senior Associate/Of Counsel

About Walkers

Financial institutions, capital markets participants, investment fund managers, global corporations and family offices all rely on us for the legal, corporate, compliance, formation and fiduciary services they need to succeed in today’s markets.

Over sixty years of looking at the world through the same commercial lens as our clients means we deliver focused, clear, precise advice to get the deal done. Clients trust us to help them make good business decisions, create commercially sound products and strategies, resolve disputes and cement deals that are profitable.

From offices across geographies, we deliver business critical advice and services in the same time zones as our clients. Frequently acknowledged as the go-to firm for offshore legal advice, in a changing world we are a safe pair of hands in six globally important financial jurisdictions.

Consistently ranked in the top-tier of the leading legal directories, our people and our approach to solving our clients' challenges and ambitions are tried and tested, but that doesn’t mean we ever stand still. Markets change, regulations evolve, businesses adapt, and we keep on reinventing our services for the times we find ourselves in.

The Role

Walkers is currently seeking an ambitious and enthusiastic Senior Associate / Of Counsel with a minimum of 4 years PQE to join its highly regarded Financial Regulatory Group in Dublin. The Group advises on all areas of Irish and EU financial regulation and compliance, including:

• investment services (MiFID II);
• banking regulation (including CRD, domestic banking regulation and lending requirements);
• fintech including payments, e-money, cryptoassets regulation and crowdfunding (including PSD2, e-money directive, MiCAR);
• market abuse;
• financial crime including anti-money laundering and sanctions;
• regulatory change projects and ongoing compliance (e.g. the Digital Operational Resilience Act);
• financial institution M&A;
• the Central Bank of Ireland's fitness and probity and individual accountability regimes; and
• data privacy.

The Regulatory Group has a thriving FinTech practice and advises on innovative business models and products with clients benefitting from the Group's expertise in licensing, cryptoassets, payments regulation, AML and data privacy. The Regulatory Group has advised a number of high profile FinTech, credit institution and investment firm migrations to Ireland in recent years.

Members of the Regulatory Group contribute to numerous industry associations and working groups, including Irish Funds, Blockchain Ireland, the Irish MiFID Industry Association and the Compliance Institute, with the team and individuals being ranked by Chambers, Legal 500 and IFLR in FinTech, Data Privacy and in Regulation more generally. Walkers has a global regulatory group comprising regulatory lawyers practising across our global offices.

Key Focus Areas

You will play an integral part in our dynamic team of experienced lawyers and help to drive continued growth in a fast-paced area of practice.

• You will be given the opportunity to work on a broad range of matters representing top tier clients located in Ireland, but typically with an international focus.
• Work closely with our partners and associates advising on a wide range of Irish and EU legal and regulatory issues, acting for domestic and international banks, investment firms, FinTechs, international payment/e-money institutions, asset managers, funds and fund promoters, and international law firms.
• You will be given opportunity and responsibility for driving matters forward directly with clients, with support from partners in the team, as well as taking on a business development role to build your practice.
• You will also have the opportunity to collaborate with regulatory colleagues in our other jurisdictions in business development, knowledge sharing and on client matters.
• Collaborate with our global FinTech group, meeting monthly, and sharing knowledge from across our jurisdictions on FinTech matters, including in relation to crypto and DAOs.

This is an excellent opportunity to work in an internationally focused, professional organisation which places huge emphasis on continuous professional development, mentoring and career development within a collegiate team-based environment.

The Person

We are seeking qualified lawyers with a minimum of 4 years PQE and who ideally have prior experience in financial services regulation in a recognised practice in Ireland or other common law jurisdiction. However, we would also welcome interest from lawyers with regulatory or in-house regulatory experience and those with an asset management, general finance or banking or background with a strong interest in regulation. We are open to hearing from those current practicing in Ireland or those interested in returning or relocating to Ireland.

Additionally we are looking for candidates who can demonstrate the following:

• Strong academic credentials;
• Excellent research, analytical, technical and drafting skills
• A high level of commercial and business awareness;
• A calm and measured approach to problem solving;
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, including the ability delegate and manage appropriately;
• Taking responsibility for meeting the client's requirements and driving matters forward;
• Excellent communication skills;
• Interest in financial regulation, including fintech, and in becoming a trusted advisor in this area;
• Interest in participating in business development, both desk based and in person;
• A proven track record in managing competing priorities and deadlines.

Benefits

We offer excellent progression opportunities along with a competitive remuneration package and benefits including:

• Competitive Salary
• Supportive environment and open culture
• Prominent international clients and challenging work
• Working directly with partners
• 'Dress for your day' dress code
• Discretionary annual bonus scheme;
• Generous annual leave
• Agile Working Policy
• Health insurance cover
• Pension scheme
• Life Assurance
• Paid Maternity & Paternity leave
• Income Protection
• Taxsaver and Bike to Work schemes
• Professional Membership Fees paid
• Learning & Development and Mentorship programmes
• Educational bursaries and assistance
• Client secondment opportunities
• Social Committee, DEI Committee, CSR Committee and various sports, social and charity initiatives
• Subsidised gym access / fitness classes
• Employee Assistance Programme
• VDU eye testing and medical screening
• Wellness programme

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