Assistant General Counsel

Job description

KPMG International and the International Office of General Counsel

This is an outstanding opportunity to join a fast growing legal team of high calibre in a global organisation. We expect this opportunity will allow you to broaden your range of legal skills and experience and make a real impact on the business.

KPMG is a global organization of independent professional services firms providing Audit, Tax and Advisory services. We operate in 146 countries and have more than 220,000 people working in member firms around the world.

KPMG International acts as a coordinating entity, carrying out business activities for the benefit of KPMG member firms. More than 2,500 talented colleagues make up the KPMG International team, with a focus on ensuring global consistency and providing expertise to support member firms in the achievement of KPMG’s Trust and Growth ambition.

The International Office of the General Counsel is a global team within KPMG International that is based in six countries. The team provides legal advice on key strategic issues for, and supports the execution of key business decisions made by, KPMG International. It also supports KPMG International and the KPMG global organisation in dealing with legal, regulatory and reputational issues and risks.

Role Summary

The role will involve working under the ultimate supervision of the General Counsel, Deputy General Counsels or other experienced senior lawyers in the team, on a variety of matters including strategic global initiatives requiring corporate legal expertise, corporate and governance legal matters relating to KPMG International itself, corporate transactions or structuring between or involving KPMG International and one or more member firms, governance issues relating to member firms and cross- border legal risk and regulation.

In this role, you can expect to work on the following types of matters:

• • the entry and exit of member firms from the global network
  • advising on network agreements that set out the contractual arrangements between KPMG International and member firms
  • preparing and advising on global policies applied across the network
  • advising on the establishment of joint ventures involving multiple member firms and/or KPMG International
  • M&A transactions that one or more of the member firms might be considering
  • corporate governance and corporate compliance advice for KPMG International
  • advising on potential corporate governance models for member firms and an understanding of the best practices to be adopted by partnerships

Qualification, Skills and Experience required

We are looking for a qualified lawyer with around 5 years PQE (or equivalent, if not UK qualified), with significant experience advising on corporate matters in areas such as governance and structural matters, investments (including equity and debt), acquisitions, disposals and cross border legal risks and regulations.

Experience advising professional services firms, including on partnership agreements, will be advantageous. A successful candidate is likely to have or be able to demonstrate:

• • Excellent legal technical skills
  • Substantial experience of working as part of a legal team in relation to complex cross-border corporate matters. This experience may have been gained at a top law firm or in an equivalent in-house position
  • An understanding of business drivers affecting large global organizations, and legal, regulatory and business risks faced by, large global organizations
  • Awareness of own strengths and areas for development
  • Ability to work flexibly and collaboratively as part of a supportive team while taking responsibility for their own work
  • Ability to provide clear and pragmatic advice to, and deal confidently with, individuals at all levels
  • Ability to deal with people from different cultures in an appropriate way

 Additional Notes

• • This role offers a comprehensive compensation and benefits package
  • Some international travel may be required