Standard Chartered Bank is looking out for a Legal Counsel

Roles and Responsibilities

Define key responsibilities to reflect the duties and responsibilities of this role.Legal Counsel, Disputes and Government Investigations Legal, India (“LC DGIL”) manages and reports on major disputes (qualification for this category being measured by potential financial exposure and/or potential significant reputational or commercial risk), cross border orders/notices, significant regulatory and government investigations (“SRGIs”), and oversees and manages SCB India disputes under the India Disputes Management Model, within India, and potentially across the Group’s wider network as assigned. Maintaining close relationships with the Group’s businesses and support functions, the LC DGIL acts as a trusted “go to” adviser and point of contact, and provides relevant legal advice, guidance and support, on major disputes, SRGIs, cross-border orders/notices, and SCB India disputes under the India Disputes Management Model, including on how to mitigate the risk of disputes or government investigations arising. The LC DGIL collaborates and works closely with Legal teams supporting the management and reporting of major disputes and SRGIs, taking into account the need for consultation on regional and local legal issues, management of senior stakeholders in India, regionally and globally, and management of the risks involved. As an active member of the Disputes & Government Investigations Legal team, the LC DGIL implements in their work the vision, strategy and direction of the DGIL team.

Strategy

• Expertly and efficiently (a) manage major disputes, SRGIs and cross-border orders/notices; and (b) oversee and manage SCB India disputes under the India Disputes Management Model.
• Assist with developing budgets on a project-by-project basis and manage those budgets as directed; seek to reduce costs, including by handling matters, when appropriate, with the engagement of external counsel.
• Where external counsel is appointed, ensure DGIL liaises with external counsel to ensure the scope of work is defined and appropriate, the quality and efficiency of work are overseen effectively, legal costs are managed and budget estimates are adhered to, and there is appropriate overall matter management; and
• Identify areas in which outside counsel and other vendors can improve efficiency and efficacy.

Business

• Communicate effectively and regularly with key internal and external stakeholders regarding the strategy, management and costs of major disputes, SRGIs and SCB India disputes under the India Disputes Management Model.

Processes

• Take on responsibility for and manage major disputes and SRGIs as they relate to India or as otherwise agreed with the Regional or Global Head, DGIL, and communicate effectively and regularly with key internal and external stakeholders regarding the strategy, management and costs of major disputes, SRGIs and SCB India disputes under the India Disputes Management Model.
• Assist with the management of the India Disputes Management Model, and disputes and investigations-related aspects of the India Legal Panel.
• Manage the Legal budget & forecasts in so far as it relates to assigned matters.
• Keep the Senior Legal Counsel DGIL India, Regional and Global Heads, DGIL and relevant stakeholders informed of notable developments in all assigned major disputes, SRGIs, cross-border orders/notices and SCB India disputes under the India Disputes Management Model.
• Ensure matters are appropriately logged and kept updated on internal bank systems (notably ELM).
• Support reporting to and handling enquires from the Group’s external auditors on assigned matters.
• Support reporting and handling enquires from SCB India’s external statutory auditors and regulatory auditors.
• Ensure assigned matters are appropriately notified to Insurable Risks and handle enquiries on notified matters.
• In the course of managing assigned matters, work with internal stakeholders to identify areas for potential improvement in Bank policies and procedures, and participate as appropriate in Root Cause Reviews or lessons learned processes;
• Work effectively with external counsel.
• Work when needed with the LCS and Compliance functions to review civil, criminal, and administrative information requests received by the Bank and escalate as necessary.
• Develop and maintain relationships with internal stakeholders throughout the Bank to serve as a trusted advisor, including business stakeholders and support functions (such as CFCC and Finance).

People & Talent

• Lead through example and contribute to appropriate culture and values; display appropriate tone and expectations and work in collaboration with risk and control partners.
• Be fully engaged and performing-to potential; and develop through training and participation in external networks.
• Collaborate with other members of the DGIL team and assist the Senior Legal Counsel DGIL India, Regional and Global Heads, DGIL with responsibilities as required.

Risk Management

• Anticipate and proactively provide legal advice, guidance and support for assigned projects and initiatives aimed to reduce and mitigate risk in contentious and investigation matters.
• Ensure senior management is fully informed of all key risks and issues in area of responsibility.
• Support the Senior Legal Counsel DGIL India, Regional and Global Heads, DGIL in identifying, assessing, managing, monitoring, mitigating and reporting legal and regulatory risks for the Group.
• Have an awareness and understanding of the regulatory framework in which the Group operates, and the regulatory requirements and expectations relevant to the role.
• Understand and comply with, in letter and spirit, all applicable laws and regulations, including those governing anti-money laundering, terrorist financing and sanctions; the Group’s policies and procedures; and the Group Code of Conduct; and
• Effectively and collaboratively identify, escalate, mitigate and resolve risk and compliance matters.

Governance

• Assist in managing the India Disputes Management Model and assist its various business participants to ensure its smooth and effective functioning. Attend and assist with preparing, and implementing output from, the India Dispute Management Forum.
• Work with any local regulators and law enforcement agencies (when required to do so on matters) in an open and cooperative manner.
• Assist the Senior Legal Counsel DGIL India, Regional and Global Heads, DGIL and the regional RGC with reporting to key risk control committees and management groups on relevant legal risks and issues, including through the drafting of relevant reports on matters.
• Proactively participate in meetings of relevant Legal teams.

Regulatory & Business Conduct

• Represent the Bank in communications with regulators on issues relating to disputes, investigations, financial crime compliance, and other issues.
• Display exemplary conduct and live by the Group’s Values and Code of Conduct.
• Take personal responsibility for embedding the highest standards of ethics, including regulatory and business conduct, across Standard Chartered Bank. This includes understanding and ensuring compliance with, in letter and spirit, all applicable laws, regulations, guidelines and the Group Code of Conduct. Lead by example and set an appropriate tone and expectations for reports as regards good conduct. Promote a culture and practice of compliance with legal standards (including conducting business within legal and regulatory requirements and with high ethical standards) within the Group.
• Achieve the outcomes set out in the Bank’s Conduct Principles: Fair Outcomes for Clients; Effective Financial Markets; Financial Crime Compliance; The Right Environment.
• Effectively and collaboratively identify, escalate, mitigate and resolve risk, conduct and compliance matters.

Key stakeholders

• Internal stakeholders include: the Group General Counsel; Regional and Global Heads, DGIL and Senior Legal Counsel DGIL India; India Head of Legal, India Head of Compliance; Regional General Counsel; India CEO: India CFO; Insurable Risks; and case managers under the India Disputes Management Model.
• External stakeholders include: India and global panel law firms; country regulators; external auditors.

Other Responsibilities.

• Live ‘Here For Good’ and the Group’s brand and values in the Disputes & Government Investigations Legal team.
• Perform other responsibilities assigned under Group, Country, Business or Functional policies and procedures.
• Unless otherwise agreed by the Global Head, DGIL or as provided under the India Disputes Management Model, the remit of this role does not extend to Employment, or Tax disputes; Collections matters; or disputes managed by SAG.

Our Ideal Candidate

• Qualified to practice as a solicitor/attorney or barrister/advocate in India.
• 4+ years post-qualification experience managing complex legal disputes and government investigations in private practice or in-house.
• Business acumen (including ability to assess risk and appropriate levels of return), leadership qualities, excellent interpersonal skills and multicultural awareness and sensitivity.
• Ability to collaborate and work dynamically with country, region, business and Group stakeholders.
• An ability to live the Valued Behaviours of “Do the right thing”, “Never settle” and “Better Together” on a day-to-day basis whilst seeking opportunities for self-development and growth.
• An ability to be a leader who helps to grow the Bank, harnessing a strategic mindset and the ability to navigate complex situations and ambiguity.
• Understanding of the key features of relevant laws and regulations, and connectivity to the Group.
• Sound judgment and problem-solving skills, leveraging a combination of technical and legal abilities, and common sense, to manage complex investigations.
• High level of integrity, independence, resilience and professionalism.
• Excellent communication skills – both written and oral.
• Strong case management and organization skills.
• Proven ability to establish relationships and provide strong direction at senior levels with internal and external stakeholders.
• Must be prepared to travel from time to time.

Role Specific Technical Competencies

• Technical Competency
• Legal Analysis
• Litigation
• Legal Landscape
• Legislative Analysis
• Government Affairs Regulatory Environment
• Products and Processes
• Business Acumen

How to Apply?

To apply, click on the link below