Senior Legal Counsel

The Role

We are looking to hire a Senior Counsel in our Legal & Compliance Department. Reporting to the Associate General Counsel – Head of US Legal, this role will work closely with other members of the Company’s Legal and Compliance department in New York and globally. The successful candidate will be a key member of the US Legal team, focusing on commercial contracts, data licensing, and platform agreements.

This role will serve as a primary legal contact for business stakeholders, supporting a broad range of commercial matters while helping to modernize departmental processes through the adoption of AI and legal technology.

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements, including client contracts, market data licenses, platform access agreements, and amendments for new products, customers, and fee plans.
• Advise internal business teams on and negotiate contracts with a range of vendors and suppliers.
• Manage high-volume contractual workflow, acting as a gatekeeper and first responder to business queries, and ensuring consistency in legal documentation across departments.
• Collaborate with client services, finance, product, and marketing teams to ensure compliance and efficiency in legal documentation and processes.
• Advise on data protection, intellectual property, technology licensing, and privacy issues.
• Develop and improve contract templates, AI playbooks, and negotiation guidelines to streamline the contracting process.
• Monitor and analyze legal developments in commercial contracting and the financial services industry, providing practical guidance to stakeholders.
• Handle a range of matters typical for an in-house legal department, such as negotiating leases, responding to subpoenas, supporting internal investigations, and assisting with transactions and due diligence.
• Contribute to departmental process improvements and champion the adoption of AI and other legal tech tools.
• Collaborate with global legal colleagues on cross-border matters.

• JD degree and admission to practice in New York.
• 4+ years of legal experience, ideally with in-house experience in financial services, fintech, or trading platforms.
• Extensive experience drafting and negotiating commercial agreements, including technology, licensing, and data contracts.
• Exposure to data licensing, trading platform agreements, and SaaS contracts strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to interact directly and effectively with internal business stakeholders and customers.
• Knowledge of broker dealer law a plus.
• Familiarity with, and willingness to utilize, AI tools and modernize legal processes.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to prioritize proactively in a fast-paced environment.
• Reliable, responsive, and able to function well independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex legal issues into practical guidance for non-legal colleagues.
• Enthusiasm for contract drafting, legal innovation, and continuous learning.
• Intellect to learn the technology of the business and apply it to legal issues.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, balancing legal risk with business objectives.
• Willingness to do all levels of work in an ‘all hands-on deck’ environment.

• Free Food:
  We provide free lunch for employees when they are working in the office. Plus, our offices are stocked with snacks.
• Paid Time Off:
  Competitive PTO package including vacation and personal days, sick leave and charity days
• Generous Parental Leave:
  Up to 20 weeks fully paid leave
• 401(k):
  Dollar-for-dollar employer match up to $17,500
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan:
  Employees can purchase Market Axess common stock at a discount
• Wellness Stipend:
  We provide employees with up to $1K annually towards gym memberships, home office equipment and more
• Onsite Healthcare:
  We offer convenient access to world-class care through Mount Sinai at our Hudson Yards location
• Tuition Assistance and Professional Development:
  Benefit from live and on-demand learning, role-specific training, employee-led…