Attorney, Digital Assets - Executive Director

Morgan Stanley • Purchase, NY

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Morgan Stanley is seeking an advisory lawyer to provide legal and regulatory advice and counsel to the Company's Wealth Management division. The lawyer will primarily advise on a variety of digital assets products and services, including custody and trading of spot cryptocurrencies, tokenized securities, lending, stablecoin initiatives, and related Exchange Traded Products. The ED, Legal will support the business in developing and launching new products, services, and strategies involving digital assets, advising on both existing and proposed rules and regulations, negotiating agreements with counterparties, and drafting client-facing agreements, disclosures, and internal governance documents, among other things. The ED, Legal will also support the ETRADE business line more broadly with respect to online securities products and services, responding to regulatory inquiries, and navigating client and platform incidents. The successful candidate will have native expertise in digital assets and blockchain, a broad background in broker-dealer regulation, ideally with subject matter expertise in equities and listed options trading, and familiarity with SEC and FINRA rules, particularly margin regulations. And, the successful candidate will be expected to collaborate closely with internal business, technology, operations, compliance, litigation, regulatory affairs, and risk teams.

Requirements

• Undergraduate degree from a 4-year institution
• J.D. from an accredited law school, with superior academic credentials
• Member in good standing of a state bar
• At least 10 years of legal experience in the financial services industry and/or private practice, with a particular focus on digital assets and broker-dealer regulation
• Broad knowledge of and experience with substantial aspects of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, FINRA rules, and Regulation T of the Federal Reserve Board
• Highly developed written and oral communication skills
• Excellent drafting and negotiation skills, and exceptional attention to detail
• Proven organizational and time management skills, including the ability to prioritize multiple assignments, work independently to solve problems, and meet deadlines
• Strong interpersonal skills to foster teamwork, influence decision-making, and maintain effective working relationships with internal colleagues and external clients and regulators
• Ability to identify issues and assist development of remedial enhancements, including with respect to form agreements, policies, procedures, and control processes
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Resourcefulness and personal accountability
• Comfort working in a large organization, including with various teams across departments both in-person and in virtual settings

Nice To Haves

• Native expertise in digital assets and blockchain
• Broad background in broker-dealer regulation
• Subject matter expertise in equities and listed options trading
• Familiarity with SEC and FINRA rules, particularly margin regulations

Responsibilities

• Providing legal and regulatory support to business and other partners on a wide range of initiatives and issues relating to digital assets including spot cryptocurrencies, tokens, lending, stablecoins, and related Exchange Traded Products
• Providing legal and regulatory support to business and other partners on initiatives and issues relating to online trading of equities and options
• Interpreting and advising on applicable laws, rules, and regulations, as well as assisting colleagues in navigating spaces where statutory and regulatory clarity is nascent or absent
• Drafting, reviewing, and revising disclosures, disclaimers, governance documents, and educational and marketing content
• Advising on development and rollout of new trading products and services
• Assisting with regulatory inquiries, examinations, and investigations as well as client arbitration and litigation matters
• Negotiating agreements with counterparties
• Reviewing and updating client agreements, forms, and applications
• Assessing impact of new and amended industry rules and regulatory developments and contributing to the implementation of and compliance with regulatory changes
• Responding to client- and platform-related issues
• Participating in internal working groups and other governance forums to provide advice and documentary support
• Performing other duties and functions, as required

Benefits

• Ample opportunity to move about the business for those who show passion and grit in their work
• Attractive and comprehensive employee benefits and perks in the industry

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree