Regional Counsel

The Group:

The legal and Compliance team consists of lawyers, compliance specialists and other professionals across the globe who bring to the team various kinds of expertise. On the legal side, we have commercial, regulatory, M&A, regulatory compliance, corporate governance, privacy and employment expertise in-house as well as broad-based international legal experience to support the company’s 12,000+ employees working in wholly owned subsidiaries in 32 countries. The Compliance team has expertise in overseeing the compliance processes and practices of regulated credit ratings, investment management, investment research and benchmark administration businesses. The Legal Department coordinates and oversees Morningstar’s use of external counsel around the world.

The Role:

Morningstar, Inc., a leading global provider of independent investment research, is looking for a specialist in the Global Regulatory Strategy and Advisory Team, Legal. The role will be a legal resource on identifying regulatory issues that may affect Morningstar’s North American operations and advising on how to proactively address them, including, in connection with new business line developments. This position directly reports to Senior Regional Counsel, North America, who reports to Global Head of Regulatory Strategy and Advisory, Legal.

Responsibilities:

While not meant to be a comprehensive list of functions, principal day-to-day responsibilities of this role in North America include:

• Advising the business on regulatory strategy and risk, including with respect to regulatory matters associated with strategic initiatives and new business line development.
• Advising Compliance on the management of Morningstar’s regulatory compliance responsibilities and consulting with external parties, as appropriate.
• Serving as one of Morningstar’s contacts and negotiators with regulatory bodies.
• Advising on strategy for defending and settling any regulatory action or other related matters involving any of Morningstar’s regulated businesses.
• Assisting with formal examinations or investigations by a regulator, regulatory registrations, and written submissions in response to consultations from regulators, as necessary.
• Advising the Compliance Team in internal investigations, and development and implementation of policies, guidelines and other documents pertaining to regulatory requirements applicable to Morningstar’s regulated businesses, as necessary.
• Staying current on regulations and other changes in regulatory requirements that could impact Morningstar’s businesses.

Qualifications:

• law degree and qualified to practice in New York or Illinois, or other relevant US State
• At least 6 years of financial services or securities law experience in a North American jurisdiction
• Structured finance transactional experience, credit rating experience, or other financial services compliance/regulatory experience required
• Experience in dealing with regulators is an advantage
• Investment advisor and asset management regulatory experience is beneficial
• Must be admitted to practice law or eligible for admission to practice as in-house counsel in the jurisdiction where located
• The ability to influence
• Integrity and a high degree of professional ethics
• Excellent judgement and analytical skills
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including excellent, clear drafting
• Ability to work efficiently and independently, prioritize workflow, and meet deadlines.

Morningstar’s hybrid work environment gives you the opportunity to work remotely and collaborate in-person each week. We’ve found that we’re at our best when we’re purposely together on a regular basis, at least three days each week. A range of other benefits are also available to enhance flexibility as needs change. No matter where you are, you’ll have tools and resources to engage meaningfully with your global colleagues.

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