Investment Attorney

JOB SUMMARY

An experienced attorney with a securities/investments and transactional background to work at the direction of the Deputy General Counsel. Role is expected to spend significant time in support of the University’s Investments Team that manages the University’s $2 Billion endowment. An attorney with some additional experience in general corporate matters, who also can work alongside the University’s other attorneys on project assignments that reflect the wide-ranging legal needs of the University. A professional who can work independently, and who exercises good judgment and discretion.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Investments and Transactional Matters

• Provides legal services and advice to internal University endowment staff, including members of the Investments and Investment Operations teams.
• Assists in performing due diligence reviews of potential investment opportunities.
• Reviews, drafts, and negotiates documentation for various investment transactions.
• Advises on investment governance matters, including proxies, consents, fund amendments, etc.
• Supervises outside counsel on investment transactions.
• Advises the University’s Investment Committee with respect to specific investments, investment policies, procedures, and fiduciary standards.
• Advises University endowment staff and Investment Committee on new and existing securities and investment laws, regulations and trends.
• Supports the development, launch and maintenance of special purpose investment vehicles.

Corporate Matters

• Commercial contract review, negotiation, drafting, interpretation, enforcement, and termination.
• Advice regarding contract liability.
• Review and interpretation of federal, state and other regulatory statutes, regulations and rules.
• Policy review and drafting.
• Entity formation, maintenance, and corporate governance.

General Matters

• Provides legal services and advice to University administrators and other employees
• Recommends courses of action to resolve commercial, business and transactional issues infused with legal considerations.
• Mentors para-professionals and junior staff.
• Conducts legal research and writing.
• Creates related materials and delivers training to various University departments.
• Remains abreast of changes in laws, regulations and other requirements affecting University departments and interests, as well as emerging trends in higher education.
• Identifies ways to improve University processes that have a legal component.
• Works effectively as a team member, embracing and fostering the University’s mission.
• Completes other duties, as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS AND CREDENTIALS

Education and Licensing

• Juris Doctorate degree from an ABA accredited law school.
• Strong academic record at both the undergraduate and law school levels.
• Current license and in-good-standing to practice law in Virginia, or ability to become licensed. (Alternatively, licensed in another jurisdiction and able to obtain a Virginia Corporate Counsel Certificate.)

Experience

• At least (8) years of legal experience with at least five (5) years of relevant experience at hiring.
• Significant experience working in-house at an endowment, foundation, family office, OCIO, investment adviser/manager, investment company, or securities regulator; or significant private practice experience working in the Securities/Investment Management practice group of a law firm.
• Experience conducting due diligence reviews of various investments and drafting summary due diligence memos, including reviews of Forms ADV, prospectuses, PPM’s LP and LLC agreements, and related materials.
• Experience reviewing, drafting, and negotiating documentation for various investment transactions, including subscription agreements, QIB and Qualified Purchaser certifications, side letters, securities lending agreements, secondary transactions, confidentiality agreements, non-reliance letters, custody agreements, etc.
• Experience with various asset classes, including fixed income, public and private equity, alternatives, real estate, commodities, cash, etc.
• Experience with various investment types, including private equity funds, private credit funds, venture capital funds, co-investment funds, REITs, hedge funds, separately managed accounts, traditional long-only funds, commodity pools, collective investment trusts, etc.
• Experience advising on scope and specifics of investment advisory services (e.g., discretionary and non-discretionary investment advisory services, ERISA, compensation structures, etc.)
• Familiarity with institutional investment services and products.
• Familiarity with applicable laws and regulations, including Investment Advisers Act, Investment Company Act, Securities Act, Securities and Exchange Act, Commodity Exchange Act, State securities laws, ERISA, and regulatory (FINRA, NFA, OCC) requirements.
• Experience reviewing, drafting and negotiating commercial contracts.
• Experience in corporate governance, to include forming LLC’s , corporations and limited partnerships, drafting internal corporate documents, creating and maintaining corporate books and records, and monitoring related regulatory filings.
• Experience working with clients in regulated industries (preferably at both the federal and state levels).

Personal

• Demonstrated walk as a committed Christian.
• Successful completion of an acceptable background check.
• Self-motivation with a strong work ethic.
• Confidence and maturity with a sense of humor and humility.
• Willingness to learn.

ABILITIES AND COMPETENCIES ESSENTIAL TO THE FUNCTION OF THE JOB

Communication and Comprehension

• A professional demeanor.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to deliver legal advice to non-lawyer clients concisely and in plain English without legalese.
• Excellent legal research and writing skills.
• Strong and effective drafting, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to build strong working relationships with clients.
• Demonstrated ability to work well collaboratively with other team attorneys.
• Demonstrated ability to accept corrections with grace and humor.
• Demonstrated leadership qualities and experience.
• Discretion and the ability to maintain confidences.
• Ability to prioritize and thrive in a fast-paced environment; well-organized.
• A passion for client service.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, with a working knowledge of PowerPoint and Excel.

Problem Solving

• Strong critical thinking and analytical skills.
• Intuitively able to reason, analyze information and events, and apply judgment in order to solve problems of both a routine and complex nature.
• Strong research skills.
• Business-oriented, pragmatic mindset utilized to solve problems.
• Solutions oriented.

Physical and Sensory Abilities

• Occasionally required to travel locally and within the University campus.
• Frequently required to sit for extended periods to perform deskwork and type on a keyboard.
• Regularly required to hear, understand and speak in order to communicate orally.
• Occasionally required to stand, walk, and climb stairs to move about the University campus.
• Handle materials, reach overhead, kneel or stoop in order to conduct business.
• Regularly lift 10 or fewer pounds.
• Willingness to embrace and foster the University’s mission to Train Champions for Christ.
• Willingness and ability to accurately follow directions.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Current or former holder of any of the following designations: CFA, CFS, CIC, CIMA or CMT.
• Current or former holder of any of the following FINRA licenses: 6,7, 22, 79, 82, 86/87, 99 or any of the associated supervisory licenses.
• Experience in a compliance department overseeing securities trading or investments generally.
• Prior experience as an in-house attorney.
• Prior experience representing universities and/or colleges.
• Undergraduate or graduate degree with accounting, economics, finance, or other business-related major.
• Knowledge of not-for-profit law and organizations.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work Environment

The working environment in which one will typically perform the essential functions of this position is a climate-controlled office setting. It is well-lit and the noise level is moderate. The work hours are during University office hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

On-campus office location (in Lynchburg) is preferred for at least (2) years initially. Exceptional candidates will be considered for hybrid or remote work locations.

SE# 510651742