Senior Corporate Counsel - US Investment Management

At Franklin Templeton, we’re advancing our industry forward by developing new and innovative ways to help our clients achieve their investment goals. Our dynamic firm spans asset management, wealth management, and fintech, offering many ways to help investors make progress toward their goals. Our talented teams working around the globe bring expertise that’s both broad and unique. From our welcoming, inclusive, and flexible culture to our global and diverse business, we provide opportunities to help you reach your potential while helping our clients reach theirs.

Come join us in delivering better outcomes for our clients around the world!

What is Franklin Templeton’s Legal Department responsible for?

The Legal team provides practical legal advice and service to the broader organization by reviewing and analyzing the laws and regulations of the legal jurisdictions in which Franklin Templeton operates. Our in-house corporate attorneys interpret these laws and regulations and advise the business on actions required to comply with legal and regulatory obligations. They also guide the business on appropriate courses of action to minimize risk from financial or reputational loss.

We’re seeking an Investment Management Attorney to be based in Boston, MA, Fort Lauderdale, FL, New York, NY, Pasadena or San Mateo, CA, Stamford, CT, or Washington, D.C. While this position reports to a supervisor in our Ft. Lauderdale office, you will work closely with attorneys and other team members located in each of the other offices listed and across the broader Franklin Templeton organization.

What is the Senior Corporate Counsel – US Investment Management role responsible for?

The Senior Corporate Counsel will be a part of the U.S. legal team providing regulatory and legal support for Franklin Templeton’s U.S. investment management business, including mutual funds, interval and exchange-listed closed-end funds, and ETFs.

What are the ongoing responsibilities of the Senior Attorney?

Advise and counsel Franklin Templeton funds, investment advisers and management teams on regulatory and legal issues arising under the Investment Company Act, Investment Advisers Act, Securities Exchange Act, Securities Act and other relevant laws and regulations with respect to the management, operations and distribution of registered funds and advisory services.

Provide legal support for special projects, including product development and launch of new funds and investment products, enhancing retail access to alternative investments and other strategic initiatives for Franklin Templeton.

Support open-end and closed-end registered investment companies, including mutual funds, exchange-listed closed-end funds, tender offer funds, interval funds, and ETFs. Responsibilities include drafting and reviewing fund board materials, registration statements, shareholder reports, proxy statements, fund-related marketing materials, service provider and other agreements, and legal memoranda.

Support corporate governance matters for boards overseeing U.S. registered funds.

Participate in industry advocacy relating to investment management matters.

What ideal qualifications, skills & experience would help someone to be successful?

JD and license to practice law in the U.S. (with state bar membership or certification as Registered In-House Counsel).

A minimum of 8 years of experience in the US-regulated investment management area with the SEC, a law firm, an investment management firm, or an industry trade group.

Acumen and practice with laws and regulations under the Investment Company Act, Investment Advisers Act, Securities Exchange Act, the Securities Act, the federal banking laws and CFTC laws and regulations.

Strong grasp of the financial regulatory and policy issues associated with the investment management business.

Knowledge and experience with the formation and ongoing support and growth of investment vehicles, including mutual funds, exchange-listed closed-end funds, tender offer funds, interval funds, and ETFs

Competency and familiarity in funds offering alternative strategies, including private credit and equity, real estate debt and equity, co-investments and secondaries, and infrastructure, is desired.

A self-directed individual with a high degree of attention to detail, initiative, ability to multi-task and prioritize, coupled with superior oral and written communication skills.

Ability to establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with other members of the FT legal team, FT compliance, FT management, the staff of the SEC and other regulators and the staff of industry trade groups.