Location: London | Hybrid: 2–3 days per week

Contract: 12 months

We are currently recruiting for an experienced Trade Finance Legal Counsel to join a leading international investment bank on an initial 12-month contract.

Sitting within the EMEA Legal function, this role will provide dedicated legal support to the bank’s Trade Finance and wider Corporate Lending businesses , working closely with Front Office and stakeholders across multiple international jurisdictions.

Key Responsibilities

1. Draft, review and negotiate a broad range of Trade Finance documentation , including Letters of Credit, Guarantees, Supply Chain Finance, Receivables Finance/Purchase Agreements, Trade Loans, Risk Participations and Commodity Trade Finance .
2. Advise on facility agreements, security documentation, indemnities, legal opinions and other associated lending documentation.
3. Provide legal and structuring advice on complex and bespoke cross-border Trade Finance transactions across EMEA and wider global markets.
4. Work closely with Front Office, Operations, Credit, Risk and other internal stakeholders throughout the structuring and execution of transactions.
5. Advise on relevant BAFT, LMA and ICC documentation/rules , alongside applicable regulatory and market developments.
6. Identify and manage legal, regulatory and reputational risks, providing pragmatic and commercially focused solutions.
7. Support wider transaction banking and corporate lending documentation where required.
8. Contribute to documentation improvements, legal know-how, governance initiatives and the increasing use of AI within the Legal function .

Experience Required

1. Qualified lawyer with approximately 4+ years' PQE and strong experience within Trade Finance / Banking & Finance .
2. Demonstrable experience advising on Trade Finance products and transactions , ideally within an investment or corporate banking environment.
3. Strong understanding of Trade Finance documentation, structures and market standards , including exposure to BAFT, LMA and ICC rules .
4. Experience supporting complex, cross-border and multi-jurisdictional transactions .
5. Strong drafting, negotiation and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to work directly with senior business and Front Office stakeholders.
6. Previous in-house banking experience would be highly advantageous.
7. Broader exposure to Corporate Lending, Asset Finance or Transaction Banking would also be beneficial.

This is an excellent opportunity for a Trade Finance lawyer to take on a broad, front-office-facing position within an international banking environment , covering both established and bespoke transactions across multiple jurisdictions.