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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.

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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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.

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.

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