Derivatives Lawyer

Cognia Law is a dynamic and innovative legal company that seamlessly extends corporates, banks, and law firms' legal capability to deliver sustainable outcomes. Our goal is to connect the legal sector, moving it from a siloed approach to integrated partnerships.

We help in-house legal teams by bringing simplicity to complex matters and replacing broken procedures with efficient processes. Our team, partners, clients, and communities thrive together with people at the heart of what we do.

We are currently recruiting qualified lawyers or experienced in-house legal professionals with master trading documentation experience to form part of a dedicated project-based financial documentation negotiation team.

• Working in partnership with an esteemed international client to provide financial documentation negotiation services to the Transactional Legal Department of an international investment bank.
• The scope of financial documentation includes several master agreements, including ISDA, GMRA, GMSLA, CSA, CDEA, and MRRA.
• Daily tasks include preparing first drafts based on stakeholder instructions, reviewing client templates and comments, reaching out to the banks' various stakeholders to discuss terms, and corresponding with the bank's clients directly to negotiate the terms of these agreements.

• Law degree from a top South African or UK/EU-based tertiary institution.
• Experience at a law firm or in-house legal department drafting and negotiating financial markets documentation, including ISDA, GMRA, GMSLA, ISDA/FIA CDEA, and CSAs.
• Strong banking and finance background.
• Asset management experience (desired but not compulsory).
• Excellent negotiation and drafting skills.
• Strong ability to collaborate and manage stakeholders effectively.
• Ability to analyze complex legal and contractual terms.
• Attention to detail.
• Awareness of, and experience with related regulatory and legal issues, and communicate effectively.
• Able to manage a large portfolio of multiple ongoing negotiations in a target-driven environment.
• Resilience in dealing with demanding clients.
• Languages: English – spoken and written (required).