ERISA Attorney

Morgan Stanley's Legal and Compliance Division is seeking to hire a senior lawyer to provide ERISA legal coverage for Morgan Stanley's Investment Management ("MSIM") and Institutional Securities Group ("ISG") in the Americas.
Primary Responsibilities:

- Advise Morgan Stanley Asset Management, Inc., (MSIM) a registered investment advisor, on all aspects of ERISA compliance including prohibited transactions and exemptions, fiduciary issues, Form 5500 Schedule C reporting, ERISA Section 408(b)(2), etc.
- Advise on structuring funds in accordance with ERISA's plan asset regulations.
- Advise sell side registered broker-dealer, Morgan Stanley & Co, LLC (MSCO) on all ERISA issues including prohibited transactions and indicia of ownership.
- Draft and negotiate ERISA provisions in transaction documentation including ISDAs, prime brokerage agreements, securities lending agreements, etc. for MSCO.
- General support on regulatory and legislative initiatives, especially matters originating with the Department of Labor (e.g., investment advice definition, prohibited transaction exemptions, reporting obligations, ESG, etc.)
The attorney will serve as the Senior ERISA Legal Coverage Attorney for MSIM and ISG and interact closely with senior management.
Company Profile:

Morgan Stanley is a leading global financial services firm providing a wide range of investment banking, securities, investment management and wealth management services. The Firm's employees serve clients worldwide including corporations, governments and individuals from more than 1,200 offices in 43 countries. As a market leader, the talent and passion of our people is critical to our success. Together, we share a common set of values rooted in integrity, excellence and strong team ethic. Morgan Stanley can provide a superior foundation for building a professional career - a place for people to learn, to achieve and grow. A philosophy that balances personal lifestyles, perspectives and needs is an important part of our culture.

Department Profile:

Professionals within Legal and Compliance provide a wide range of services to our business units. They might help to structure a complex and sensitive cross-border transaction; advise on a new product introduction; develop a training program or defuse an investor dispute. They preserve the firm's invaluable reputation for integrity and protect the firm from sanctions with policies and procedures that meet regulatory requirements around the world. They also strive to maintain cooperative relationships with governmental policy makers and the regulatory and self-regulatory agencies that govern the firm's businesses.

Background on the Team:

Morgan Stanley's Institutional Securities Group (ISG) provides investment banking, sales and trading, lending and other services predominantly to corporations, governments, municipalities, financial institutions and high to ultrahigh net worth clients.
MSIM provides client-centric investment and risk-management solutions to a wide range of investors and institutions. MSIM's clients include corporations, pension plans, intermediaries, sovereign wealth funds, central banks, endowments and foundations, governments, consultant partners, and retail investors worldwide. Investment strategies span the risk/return spectrum across geographies, investment styles and asset classes, including equity, fixed income, alternatives and private markets. MSIM has more than 20 investment teams which are organized by capability: Solutions & Multi-Asset, Real Assets, Active Fundamental Equity, Private Credit & Equity, Global Fixed Income and Global Liquidity.
Following first 6 months of in office employment in good standing, role will require in office attendance 3 days/week

Expected base pay rates for the role will be between 160000 and 250000 per year at the commencement of employment. However, base pay if hired will be determined on an individualized basis and is only part of the total compensation package, which, depending on the position, may also include commission earnings, incentive compensation, discretionary bonuses, other short and long-term incentive packages, and other Morgan Stanley sponsored benefit programs.
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Qualifications:

- Expertise in Title I of ERISA, prohibited transactions exemptions and plan asset regulations.
- Ideal candidate has a minimum of 6 years of relevant experience at a law firm or in-house legal department, with preference given to candidates with in-house legal experience.
- Candidate should be commercially-oriented team player and able to demonstrate an ability to work in a highly collaborative environment and to build strong relationships with business, legal, compliance and risk partners across Morgan Stanley's business.
- Professional demeanor, with strong relationship skills and ability to deliver prompt and clear messages to business partners.
Expected base pay rates for the role will be between 160000 and 250000 per year at the commencement of employment. However, base pay if hired will be determined on an individualized basis and is only part of the total compensation package, which, depending on the position, may also include commission earnings, incentive compensation, discretionary bonuses, other short and long-term incentive packages, and other Morgan Stanley sponsored benefit programs.