Senior Legal Counsel - Morningstar DBRS

Position Summary:

Morningstar DBRS is a dynamic, global organization that operates within a highly regulated industry.

We are seeking a Senior Legal Counsel (“SLC”) who will be based in either New York, Chicago or Toronto. The SLC will report directly to the Morningstar Global Head of Regulatory Strategy and Advisory, Legal, a direct report of the Chief Legal Officer. The SLC will have a direct report – an attorney in Madrid covering Europe and will work in close coordination with an attorney in Toronto covering North America. The SLC will work closely with Morningstar DBRS’s business leaders and will be responsible for the leadership, development and management of legal affairs for commercial activity across all jurisdictions in which Morningstar DBRS carries on business.   

As a critical member of the Morningstar DBRS team, the SLC will be expected to operate at a strategic level in a fast-paced, dynamic environment; to advise business leaders and assist in making informed and balanced decisions to help shape and move the business forward. This role requires the SLC to think strategically about the growth of the Morningstar DBRS business internationally but also requires the SLC to efficiently manage several different commercial matters simultaneously with an emphasis on getting the work done.   

Responsibilities:

Given the amount and variety of activity, coupled with the evolving culture of Morningstar DBRS as a result of continuous growth, as well as the evolving landscape in the various jurisdictions, the SLC will need to be very hands-on and have the ability to deal with a broad range of commercial legal matters. 

While not an exhaustive list, here are some examples of day-to-day activities the SLC will be involved in:

• Providing legal support to commercial business initiatives and supporting the Morningstar DBRS business development team in carrying out their activities.  This will include negotiating and advising on letters of engagement, confidentiality agreements, requests for proposals and due diligence inquiries with/from companies seeking to engage Morningstar DBRS to assign credit ratings
• Negotiating and advising on credit rating data feed agreements and website subscriptions; and supporting the Morningstar DBRS data products team in carrying out their activities
• Reviewing, negotiating and advising on non-reliance and hold harmless letters from accounting firms and others providing reports in the credit analytical function and supporting the Morningstar DBRS credit analytics teams in relation to this
• Negotiation, drafting, and reviewing of Morningstar DBRS commercial contracts related to data service providers, sponsorship agreements, procurement contracts and other agreements
• Maintaining and organizing the relevant contractual documentation in a logical and systemic manner
• Working closely with the Morningstar DBRS Compliance team, the Morningstar Legal team and the Morningstar DBRS teams to ensure that Morningstar DBRS is properly managing legal compliance and regulatory responsibilities as well as ensuring commercial practicality and protecting the organization’s reputation
• Ensuring that Morningstar DBRS commercial activities are conducted in accordance with applicable laws and the commercial requirements of those with whom it does business
• In conjunction with the Morningstar Privacy team, reviewing Morningstar DBRS processes to ensure that Morningstar DBRS complies with all applicable data protection legislation
• Serving as a resource in the maintenance of corporate filings, opening of offices in new markets, managing and coordinating legal aspects  related to Morningstar DBRS
• Keeping abreast of legal developments, particularly those affecting the credit rating agency industry
• Other matters as assigned and/or determined from time to time

Qualifications

• Law degree
• Must be admitted to practice as a lawyer in Illinois, New York or Ontario; other jurisdictions are an advantage
• At least 10 years of financial services experience, ideally in a regulated business, coordinating with regulatory and compliance teams
• Knowledge and familiarity with structured finance, credit ratings and capital markets is an asset
• Experience in managing a small team as part of a broader global team is an advantage

Attributes:

• Strong business acumen
• Leadership skills, gravitas and the ability to influence
• Integrity and a high degree of professional ethics
• Excellent judgement and analytical skills
• First class interpersonal and communication skills
• Superior drafting, problem-solving and attention to detail skills
• Proven capability to work independently
• Collaborative teammate and colleague

About Us
Morningstar DBRS is a leading provider of independent rating services and opinions for corporate and sovereign entities, financial institutions, and project and structured finance instruments globally. Rating more than 4,000 issuers and 60,000 securities, it is one of the top four credit rating agencies in the world.

Morningstar DBRS empowers investor success by bringing more transparency and a much-needed diversity of opinion in the credit rating industry. Our approach and size allow us to be nimble enough to respond to customers' needs in their local markets, but large enough to provide the necessary expertise and resources they require. Market innovators choose to work with us because of our agility, tech-forward approach, and exceptional customer service.

Morningstar DBRS is the next generation of credit ratings.

Compensation and Benefits

At Morningstar we believe people are at their best when they are at their healthiest. That’s why we champion your wellness through a wide-range of programs that support all stages of your personal and professional life. Here are some examples of the offerings we provide:

• Financial Health
  • 75% 401k match up to 7%
  • Stock Ownership Potential
  • Company provided life insurance - 1x salary + commission

• Physical Health 
  • Comprehensive health benefits (medical/dental/vision) including potential premium discounts and company-provided HSA contributions (up to $500-$2,000 annually) for specific plans and coverages
  • Additional medical Wellness Incentives - up to $300-$600 annual
  • Company-provided long- and short-term disability insurance

• Emotional Health 
  • Trust-Based Time Off
  • 6-week Paid Sabbatical Program
  • 6-Week Paid Family Caregiving Leave
  • Competitive 8-24 Week Paid Parental Bonding Leave
  • Adoption Assistance
  • Leadership Coaching & Formal Mentorship Opportunities
  • Annual Education Stipend
  • Tuition Reimbursement

• Social Health 
  • Charitable Matching Gifts program
  • Dollars for Doers volunteer program
  • Paid volunteering days
  • 15+ Employee Resource & Affinity Groups

Base Salary Compensation Range

$161,741.00 - 291,130.00 USD Annual

Incentive Target Percentage

35% Annual

If you receive and accept an offer from us, we require that personal and any related investments be disclosed confidentiality to our Compliance team (days vary by region). These investments will be reviewed to ensure they meet Code of Ethics requirements. If any conflicts of interest are identified, then you will be required to liquidate those holdings immediately. In addition, dependent on your department and location of work certain employee accounts must be held with an approved broker (for example all, U.S. employee accounts). If this applies and your account(s) are not with an approved broker, you will be required to move your holdings to an approved broker.

Morningstar's hybrid work environment gives you the opportunity to collaborate in-person each week as we've found that we're at our best when we're purposely together on a regular basis. In most of our locations, our hybrid work model is four days in-office each week. A range of other benefits are also available to enhance flexibility as needs change. No matter where you are, you'll have tools and resources to engage meaningfully with your global colleagues.

R06_DBRSInc DBRS, Inc. - US Legal Entity