Legal Counsel - (Equity Derivatives, Trading Documentation)

Legal Counsel - (Equity Derivatives, Trading Documentation)

Role Summary

Mizuho Americas is seeking an experienced Legal Counsel to support its equity sales and trading platform, with a focus on equity derivatives and structured equity finance (equity repo, securities lending, delta 1 swaps). This role works closely with front‑office, risk, and operations partners to manage legal and regulatory risk, negotiate complex trading documentation, and support a broad range of equity and equity‑linked products in a fast‑paced markets environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide legal coverage for the equities sales and trading business, including equity derivatives and structured equity finance transactions.

• Draft, review, and negotiate ISDA Master Agreements, Initial and Variation Margin CSAs, master confirmation agreements, and related trade confirmations.

• Advise on regulatory and documentation requirements related to uncleared margin rules and other derivatives regulations.

• Support trading activity across equity swaps, options, and forwards.

• Draft and negotiate securities financing documentation, including MRAs and MSLAs maintain and enhance standard documentation templates.

• Partner closely with Credit, Market Risk, Collateral Management, Operations, and other internal stakeholders to address legal, operational, and risk matters.

• Provide legal support for additional equity‑linked products, including structured notes, corporate equity derivatives (e.g., ASRs and ATM issuer forwards), custom indices, quantitative investment strategies (QIS), and exotic equity options.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited U.S. law school.

• Member in good standing of the New York State Bar.

• 5+ years of relevant legal experience within a financial institution or top‑tier law firm.

• Strong understanding of Title VII of the Dodd‑Frank Act and related derivatives regulations.

• In‑depth knowledge of derivatives markets, including cleared and uncleared products, margin requirements, and business conduct standards.

• Proven ability to manage multiple complex matters and tight deadlines in a trading‑floor environment.

• Proactive, resourceful, and able to operate independently while exercising sound judgment.

• Detail‑oriented, collaborative team player with strong interpersonal skills.

• Excellent written, verbal, organizational, and presentation skills.

• Demonstrated professionalism and strong work ethic.

The expected base salary ranges from $200,000.00 - $275,000.00. Salary offers are based on a wide range of factors including relevant skills, training, experience, education, and, where applicable, certifications and licenses obtained. Market and organizational factors are also considered. In addition to salary and a generous employee benefits package, successful candidates are eligible to receive a discretionary bonus.

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Other requirements

Mizuho has in place a hybrid working program, with varying opportunities for remote work depending on the nature of the role, needs of your department, as well as local laws and regulatory obligations. Roles in some of our departments have greater in-office requirements that will be communicated to you as part of the recruitment process.   

Company Overview

Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. is the 15th largest bank in the world as measured by total assets of ~$2 trillion. Mizuho's 60,000 employees worldwide offer comprehensive financial services to clients in 35 countries and 800 offices throughout the Americas, EMEA and Asia. Mizuho Americas is a leading provider of corporate and investment banking services to clients in the US, Canada, and Latin America. Through its acquisition of Greenhill​, Mizuho provides M&A, restructuring and private capital advisory capabilities across Americas, Europe and Asia. Mizuho Americas employs approximately 3,500 professionals, and its capabilities span corporate and investment banking, capital markets, equity and fixed income sales & trading, derivatives, FX, custody and research. Visit www.mizuhoamericas.com.​​

Mizuho Americas offers a competitive total rewards package.

We are an EEO/AA Employer - M/F/Disability/Veteran.

We participate in the E-Verify program.

We maintain a drug-free workplace and reserve the right to require pre- and post-hire drug testing as permitted by applicable law.

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