Barita Investments Limited invites suitably qualified applicants to apply for the role of Legal Counsel in our organization. The Legal Counsel will provide expert legal advice and support to the organization, ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and regulations in the financial industry.

Role and Core Function:

The Legal Counsel will provide expert legal advice and support to the organization, ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and regulations in the financial industry. The role involves advising on a wide range of legal matters, including corporate governance, regulatory compliance, contract negotiations, litigation, and risk management. The successful candidate will work closely with various departments such as Compliance, Risk, and Finance to support business strategies while mitigating legal risks.

Key Responsibilities:

• Legal Advisory: Provide timely and practical legal advice on a broad range of issues, including financial regulations, securities law, corporate governance, and transactions.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure the company complies with all applicable local, state, and federal financial regulations, including those set by agencies like the SEC, FINRA, and CFPB.
• Contract Review & Negotiation: Draft, review, and negotiate contracts, agreements, and other legal documents such as loan agreements, financial instruments, vendor contracts, and partnership agreements.
• Corporate Governance: Advise senior management and the board on governance issues and ensure compliance with internal policies and external regulatory obligations.
• Risk Management: Identify potential legal risks in business operations and work proactively to mitigate them.
• Litigation & Dispute Resolution: Manage and oversee any litigation, arbitration, or dispute resolution involving the company. Liaise with external legal counsel as needed.
• Transactions & M&A: Provide legal support for mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and other corporate transactions, including due diligence and documentation.
• Policy Development: Assist in the development of internal policies and procedures to ensure legal compliance and to mitigate legal risks.
• Training: Provide legal training and updates to internal stakeholders on new laws, regulations, and policies that impact the financial services industry.

QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS

Full participation in assigned strategic improvements programs and initiative of the Cornerstone Group.

QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE

• An attorney-at-law entitled to practice at the Jamaican Bar.
• Five (5) years’ experience, particularly in commercial law & banking and financial services.
• Working knowledge of laws affecting the Group's main business lines including the Trademarks Act, Banking Services Act, Securities Act, Insurance Act, Pensions Act, Money Laundering Act, Companies Act and regulations made pursuant thereto and the Stock Exchange rules.
• Knowledge of Corporate Secretarial practices and procedures.
• Strong organizational skills in planning and scheduling.
• Excellent written, oral and analytical skills.
• Ability to establish rapport and maintain effective working relationships with management personnel, external counsel, the Boards of Directors of Group companies, external auditors and regulators.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite [Excel, Word, PowerPoint etc.]