Lighthouse Canton - Head - Legal (10-14 yrs)

Job title: Head of Legal

Reports to: Global CEO, Singapore

Location: Open: Mumbai/Delhi Bangalore

About Lighthouse Canton:

Founded in 2014, Lighthouse Canton is a Singapore-headquartered global investment management firm with US$ 3.5+ billion in Assets Under Management (AUM). Lighthouse Canton is one of the leading and award-winning investment firms in the region, focusing on managing funds with uncorrelated investment strategies, providing investors with the opportunity to achieve consistent returns across market cycles. The firm has 140+ professionals with additional offices in Dubai and India.

Job Summary:

- The Head of Legal will lead and manage all legal aspects of the firm.

- This role includes providing strategic legal advice, overseeing the negotiation and management of contracts, mitigating legal risks, and supporting business operations across multiple jurisdictions.

- The successful candidate will have deep expertise in wealth management, investment products, and a strong understanding of global financial regulations.

- They will lead the legal team, ensure effective legal risk management, and provide counsel on transactions and corporate governance matters.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Legal Advisory & Strategy:

- Act as the chief legal advisor to senior leadership on all legal matters related to the firm's Private Wealth and Asset Management businesses.

- Monitor changes in laws and regulations impacting the business, providing timely and actionable advice.

2. Contract Management:

- Draft, review, and negotiate a variety of contracts including investment advisory agreements, asset management agreements, client agreements, and vendor contracts.

- Ensure all contracts are compliant with applicable laws and structured to protect the firms interests.

- Manage relationships with external legal counsel as needed for specialized matters.

3. Risk Management:

- Identify and mitigate legal risks associated with the firm's business activities.

- Establish internal processes and policies to minimize legal risks and ensure best practices.

- Collaborate with the business and operational teams to address potential legal risks proactively.

4. Dispute Resolution & Litigation:

- Manage and oversee all aspects of dispute resolution, including arbitration and litigation involving the firm.

- Engage and supervise external counsel for complex litigation matters.

- Lead internal investigations and resolve legal issues that may arise from client complaints, regulatory challenges, or business activities.

5. Corporate Governance

- Provide legal counsel on corporate governance matters, ensuring that the firm adheres to fiduciary duties and other governance requirements.

- Support the board of directors and senior management on legal aspects of strategic initiatives and corporate structure.

- Advise on shareholder agreements, board resolutions, and other governancerelated documentation.

6. Leadership & Team Management

- Lead, mentor, and manage the in-house legal team, fostering a collaborative and high-performance environment.

- Develop the legal teams expertise to ensure that they are equipped to support the firms growth and evolving legal needs.

- Oversee the teams work on a broad range of legal matters, ensuring hig standards and timely delivery of legal services.

Key Requirements:

- Education:

- LLB or JD from an accredited law school.

- Postgraduate qualifications (e.g., LLM) in a related field would be advantageous.

- Experience:

- Minimum 10 years of experience in legal roles within private wealth management, asset management, or financial services, with at least 5 years in a senior or leadership role.

- Proven expertise in investment products, client agreements, and asset management structures.

Skills:

- Strong contract negotiation and drafting skills.

- Excellent communication skills with the ability to convey complex legal issues in clear, actionable terms.

- Strong leadership and team management capabilities.

- Strategic mindset with the ability to anticipate legal risks and opportunities.

- Expertise in dispute resolution and litigation management.

Other:

- Ability to work effectively under pressure and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

- Familiarity with legal aspects of fintech and digital transformation in wealth management would be an added advantage