Senior Legal Counsel/Attorney – Alternative Investments Fund Formation

Employer:            DWS Group

Title:                     Senior Legal Counsel/Attorney – Alternative Investments Fund Formation

Location:              New York

Job Code:             #LI-MB1 #LI-04

About DWS:

Today, markets face a whole new set of pressures – but also a whole lot of opportunity too. Opportunity to innovate differently. Opportunity to invest responsibly. And opportunity to make change.

Join us at DWS, and you can be part of an industry-leading firm with a global presence. You can lead ambitious opportunities and shape the future of investing. You can support our clients, local communities, and the environment.

We’re looking for creative thinkers and innovators to join us as the world continues to transform. As whole markets change, one thing remains clear; our people always work together to capture the opportunities of tomorrow. That’s why we are ‘Investors for a new now’.

As investors on behalf of our clients, it is our role to find investment solutions. Ensuring the best possible foundation for our clients’ financial future. And in return, we’ll give you the support and platform to develop new skills, make an impact and work alongside some of the industry’s greatest thought leaders. This is your chance to achieve your goals and lead an extraordinary career.

This is your chance to invest in your future.

Team / division overview

DWS Alternative Funds Legal will act in a specialist second live advisory capacity to Alternative Investment teams to provide day-to-day support on legal topics around formation, taxation, structuring and regulation primarily in the areas of direct real estate (equity and debt), infrastructure, and private-equity related products.

The team operates in a collegiate and dynamic environment, building relationships with key business colleagues across multiple business functions of DWS. The position offers the opportunity to work with DWS legal colleagues in multiple jurisdictions and support the growth of a key strategic pillar of DWS investments.

Role Details

As a Senior Legal Counsel for Alternative Investments you will:

• Provide day-to-day legal support for the Alternatives business in the U.S. and ancillary support for non-U.S. Alternatives businesses with respect to U.S. legal/regulatory matters

• Provide legal support and advice to be provided across private funds, separate accounts and other products as well as on regulatory issues

• Advise the business on a wide range of legal and regulatory issues relevant to the formation, distribution/marketing and maintenance of fund and separate account products, including negotiation and drafting of various fund documents with assistance from outside counsel (e.g., side letters, limited partnership agreements and investment management agreements) and other ancillary documents related to the Alternatives business, and advising on matters involving relevant regulators, such as the SEC, CFTC and the Federal Reserve

• Work closely with other members of the Legal Department and other control functions, both within the U.S. and globally, to identify and resolve issues in a proactive and coordinated manner, including issues relating to legal/regulatory changes

• Coordinate as needed with other DWS businesses and DWS Legal Department members in the U.S. and abroad

• Manage outside counsel to ensure the delivery of cost efficient and high-quality legal services

We are looking for 

• A JD Degree and a member in good standing of the NY Bar with at least seven years of relevant experience of working in-house or private practice focusing on Alternative asset classes such as Real Estate, Infrastructure, Private Equity

• Knowledge of investment management legal issues, including pertinent regulations and guidance on investment advisory issues in the context of illiquid alternatives products

• Knowledge of relevant laws (e.g., Securities Act, Investment Advisers Act, Investment Company Act, etc.) and related regulations required.  Knowledge of ERISA, the BHCA (e.g., Volcker Rule) and/or CFTC regulations preferred

• Good organisational and project management skills with an ability to work autonomously and manage multiple priorities

• An awareness of regulatory change in the funds space

• An understanding of how to manage external counsel, including agreeing fee estimates and scope of assignments

• Strong verbal and written communic