EMEA Lending Legal – Corporate Lending – Vice-President

Location: LONDON, United Kingdom

Job Family: Counsel

About the Role

The EMEA Lending Legal Group at JP Morgan Chase plays a pivotal role within the broader EMEA Legal Department, providing specialized legal support to the Commercial and Investment Bank's lending businesses. As a Vice-President in Corporate Lending, you will be at the forefront of advising on a diverse portfolio of financing transactions across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. This position demands a seasoned legal professional capable of navigating the intricacies of syndicated loans, acquisition finance, and bilateral facilities, all while upholding JP Morgan's commitment to regulatory excellence and client-centric solutions in the global financial services landscape. In this role, you will collaborate closely with business teams to structure and execute complex deals, ensuring all documentation aligns with industry standards like those from the Loan Market Association (LMA) and complies with evolving regulations such as the EU's Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) and UK prudential rules. Your expertise will be crucial in mitigating risks associated with cross-border lending, including currency exposures and jurisdictional variances, while fostering innovative approaches to meet client needs in a competitive market. At JP Morgan Chase, you will contribute to high-impact projects that drive the firm's leadership in EMEA corporate lending. Joining JP Morgan Chase offers unparalleled opportunities for professional growth in a supportive, innovative environment. You will work from our state-of-the-art office in London, benefiting from the firm's global resources and a culture that values diversity, inclusion, and work-life balance. This Vice-President position is ideal for a proactive lawyer passionate about the intersection of law and finance, with the chance to influence strategic decisions that shape the future of lending at one of the world's leading financial institutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice and support to the EMEA Lending businesses within JP Morgan Chase's Commercial and Investment Bank, focusing on corporate lending transactions
• Draft, negotiate, and review loan agreements, security documents, and related ancillary agreements in line with LMA standards and JP Morgan policies
• Advise on structuring complex financing deals, including syndicated loans, revolvers, and term loans for corporate clients across EMEA
• Identify, assess, and mitigate legal risks in lending portfolios, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and internal governance
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including credit, compliance, and business development, to facilitate deal execution
• Support regulatory projects and initiatives related to lending, such as LIBOR transition to SOFR/RFR benchmarks
• Manage external counsel relationships and oversee legal due diligence for high-value transactions
• Contribute to the development of standard legal templates and playbooks for EMEA lending activities
• Monitor and respond to evolving legal and regulatory developments impacting corporate lending in the region
• Mentor junior legal team members and participate in knowledge-sharing within the EMEA Lending Legal Group

Required Qualifications

• Qualified lawyer with at least 7-10 years of post-qualification experience in corporate lending or banking law, preferably in a top-tier financial institution
• Admitted to practice in the UK or another EMEA jurisdiction, with strong knowledge of English law governing lending transactions
• Extensive experience advising on syndicated loans, bilateral facilities, and acquisition finance in the EMEA region
• Proven track record in drafting, negotiating, and reviewing complex loan documentation, including LMA standards
• Deep understanding of regulatory frameworks such as Basel III, Dodd-Frank, and EU lending regulations impacting cross-border transactions
• Experience in managing legal risks in high-volume lending portfolios for corporate clients
• Fluency in English; additional languages such as German, French, or Arabic are advantageous for EMEA coverage

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior in-house experience at a global investment bank like JP Morgan Chase or a similar firm
• Specialization in leveraged finance or project finance within the EMEA lending space
• Knowledge of sustainable finance and ESG considerations in lending agreements
• Experience collaborating with compliance and risk teams on anti-money laundering (AML) and sanctions compliance
• Advanced degree in law or finance, such as an LLM in Banking and Finance Law

Required Skills

• Expertise in corporate lending documentation and LMA precedents
• Strong negotiation skills for high-stakes financial transactions
• In-depth knowledge of English law and cross-border lending regulations
• Analytical ability to assess complex legal risks in financing structures
• Proficiency in financial modeling basics for loan structuring
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Attention to detail in reviewing dense legal agreements
• Project management capabilities for multi-jurisdictional deals
• Adaptability to fast-paced, deal-driven environments in investment banking
• Team collaboration across legal, business, and compliance functions
• Regulatory compliance acumen, including AML and sanctions
• Technical proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and legal tech tools like document management systems
• Strategic thinking for advising on innovative financing solutions
• Cultural sensitivity for EMEA-wide client interactions
• Time management to handle multiple concurrent transactions

Benefits

• Competitive base salary and performance-based annual bonus, reflective of JP Morgan Chase's total rewards philosophy
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents
• Generous retirement savings plan with employer matching contributions to support long-term financial security
• Paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and parental leave policies aligned with UK standards
• Professional development opportunities through JP Morgan's internal training programs and tuition reimbursement
• Employee stock purchase plan and other financial wellness perks tailored to the banking industry
• Flexible working arrangements, including hybrid options in JP Morgan's London office
• Access to global mobility programs and career advancement within JP Morgan Chase's international network

JP Morgan Chase is an equal opportunity employer.