Senior Counsel - Derivatives

Description and Requirements
Role Value Proposition:
MetLife, through its subsidiaries and affiliates, is one of the world's leading financial services companies, providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to individual and institutional customers. We're united by our purpose to help our customers and each other create a confident future; we're guided by empathy; and we're inspired by each other to make a difference in the lives of our coworkers, customers, communities, and the world at large. At MetLife, it's #AllTogetherPossible. Join us!
Legal Affairs - Building confident futures is at the center of all our work at MetLife. In Legal Affairs, that means empowering our trusted advisors and advocates to focus on what's possible while safeguarding MetLife's global interests. Collaborating with each other and our businesses around the globe, we support innovative solutions while protecting our customers, employees, communities, and shareholders. And we work in an environment founded on integrity, trust, candor, and respect, where new challenges and diverse perspectives are encouraged and celebrated.
MetLife is seeking a versatile and highly motivated corporate attorney to join its Investments Law - MetLife Insurance Investments (MII) & Derivatives team as Senior Counsel. The MII & Derivatives legal team is responsible for supporting MII and MetLife Investment Management (MIM) in the execution and management of all derivatives transactions. In addition, the team is responsible for (a) advising on laws and regulations impacting the investments, derivatives and securities finance activities of MII and MIM, (b) collaborating with our Products, Distribution and Operations legal team in connection with the structuring and formation of new investment vehicles, and (c) assisting with securities finance transactions, including securities lending, repurchase agreement, securities forward and FHLB/FMAC borrowing transactions. This role will report to the Vice President and Associate General Counsel, MII & Derivatives.
The Senior Counsel, Investments Law (Derivatives), will be responsible for providing legal support for derivatives activities conducted by MII and MIM in connection with their insurance and/or investment management activities. In addition, the Senior Counsel will provide legal support with respect to securities finance transactions. The Senior Counsel will be responsible for negotiating master trading agreements and related credit support annexes and margining arrangements as well as furnishing regulatory advice globally with respect to derivatives and securities finance activities. The Senior Counsel will work closely with all stakeholders to ensure efficient operations of the derivatives/securities finance platforms and compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and to identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities:
The ideal candidate will leverage existing contract negotiating experience and develop additional expertise by supporting:
Derivatives Documentation

• Drafting and Negotiation of Derivatives Documentation:
• SDA Master Agreement, VM and IM Credit Support Annexes, IM Collateral Transfer Agreements and Security Agreements
• Custody Agreements and Account Control Agreements
• Review of Bespoke/Customized Trade Confirmations and Terms
• Coordination of Onboarding, KYC and AML Compliance for Evaluation and Adherence to ISDA Protocols
• Advice on derivatives documentation for foreign affiliates, including in Japan, South Korea, London, Ireland, Mexico, Chile, Australia and Bermuda

Transactional Support

• Review of Collateral Provisions in Reinsurance structures (including VA, UK Longevity and UK Funded)
• Advise on Hedging Strategies for Pension Risk Transfer Transactions
• Review of Disclosure and Investment Management Agreement provisions related to derivatives
• Review of Derivatives in connection with Internal Restructurings
• Support for Investment Asset Hedging
• Review of Hedging Provisions and derivatives structures for debt transactions
• Review of Interest Rate Caps and Swaps for U.S. Debt and Equity Real Estate Transactions

Regulatory

• Advise on all aspects of Title VII of Dodd-Frank and analogous derivatives laws in jurisdictions where MetLife has affiliates that engage in derivatives activities

Essential Business Experience and Technical Skills:
Required:

• 3 - 5 years of relevant experience in corporate, securities finance and/or derivatives law, either with a law firm, insurance company or other financial services institution with an interest in developing derivatives subject matter expertise.
• Familiarity with negotiating master trading agreements, including ISDA Master agreements and related schedules and credit support annexes.
• Familiarity with U.S. and non-U.S. regulation of derivatives impacting institutional counterparties and end-users.
• Juris Doctorate and excellent academic credentials from an ABA-accredited school.
• Active license to practice law in at least one state and a member in good standing of the bar.
• Ability and willingness to obtain a NJ in-house counsel limited license if not already licensed in NJ.
• An awareness of current economic trends impacting institutional investors.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to learn complex legal and financial concepts quickly.
• A strong work ethic and customer-service mentality.
• Demonstrated legal, organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred:

• Familiarity with negotiating master securities lending agreements, master securities repurchase agreements and clearing agreements.
• Exposure to insurance laws and regulations impacting insurance company investment activities.
• An understanding of relevant state and federal laws and regulations impacting institutional investors, including insolvency laws.
• Experience with reinsurance transactions and related collateral arrangements.

At MetLife, we're leading the global transformation of an industry we've long defined. United in purpose, diverse in perspective, we're dedicated to making a difference in the lives of our customers.
The salary range for applicants for this position is 156800 - 209000.
Benefits We Offer
Our U.S. benefits address holistic well-being with programs for physical and mental health, financial wellness, and support for families. We offer a comprehensive health plan that includes medical/prescription drug and vision, dental insurance, and no-cost short- and long-term disability. We also provide company-paid life insurance and legal services, a retirement pension funded entirely by MetLife and 401(k) with employer matching, group discounts on voluntary insurance products including auto and home, pet, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and accident insurance, as well as Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and digital mental health programs, parental leave, volunteer time off, tuition assistance and much more!
About MetLife
Recognized on Fortune magazine's list of the 2024 "World's Most Admired Companies", Fortune World's 25 Best Workplaces™ for 2024, as well as the 2025 Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For ®, MetLife , through its subsidiaries and affiliates, is one of the world's leading financial services companies; providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to individual and institutional customers. With operations in more than 40 markets, we hold leading positions in the United States, Latin America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
Our purpose is simple - to help our colleagues, customers, communities, and the world at large create a more confident future. United by purpose and guided by empathy, we're inspired to transform the next century in financial services. At MetLife, it's #AllTogetherPossible . Join us!
MetLife is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All employment decisions are made without regards to race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, genetic information, citizenship status (although applicants and employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States), uniformed service member or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law ("protected characteristics").
If you need an accommodation due to a disability, please email us at [email protected]. This information will be held in confidence and used only to determine an appropriate accommodation for the application process.
MetLife maintains a drug-free workplace.
156800 - 209000
#BI-Hybrid