Associate Counsel | Kuala Lumpur, MY

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The Legal Services Team (LST) is part of American Express General Counsel's Organisation (GCO). We deliver legal support to colleagues and to clients, globally, across all business lines. We are looking to add a team member in Kuala Lumpur, who will report to the LST Manager & Counsel also based in the APAC region.

Role Purpose:

The LST's mission is to provide efficient, consistent, innovative, and high-quality legal support across business units, staff groups and jurisdictions. We are looking for a motivated, proactive Associate Counsel, experienced in commercial contracts, who will be part of this lively team.

Interested candidates will have commercial awareness and experience of working in a commercial contract space. Candidates must be able to use their legal skills to work closely with key business clients around the globe, the LST leadership team and colleagues within the LST team on a day-to-day basis. In addition, candidates should possess a strong ability to lead partners and be able to demonstrate a track record of client care.

Primary responsibilities:

Contribute as an independent, trusted legal advisor to GCO and to the wider American Express business by:

• Identifying and effectively handling legal risk
• Taking instructions from and supporting your team leader, other lawyers, or legal teams in GCO, primarily across the APAC and EMEA region, and beyond as required
• Providing sound, commercial, legal advice and support across all business units, including drafting, reviewing, analysing and negotiating a wide range of agreements and legal documents such as procurement, marketing and sponsorship agreements
• Supporting internal governance and approval processes, including coordinating internal partners as appropriate
• Instructing and collaborating closely with outside counsel to obtain, challenge and finalise legal advice/opinions on projects and agreements
• Carrying out legal research on behalf of GCO colleagues
• Monitoring regulatory developments across the regions where American Express has a presence
• Handling company secretarial matters and other LST workstreams, as required

Working with other LST team members, including:

• Improving methods for legal knowledge management and supporting LST training and upskilling programme
• Ensuring LST's adherence to any company-wide and GCO-specific processes and procedures

Qualifications:

• Malaysia-qualified solicitor (or hold an equivalent qualification from a common law jurisdiction, provided you have some experience advising on English law matters)
• Experience of drafting and advising on commercial contracts in a practical and commercial manner with strong research and analytical skills
• Ability to effectively multi-task, prioritise and work as part of a team or autonomously under time pressure to meet deadlines and manage clients' expectations
• Cross-jurisdictional experience is preferred, but not required (e.g., EMEA, APAC, LACC)
• Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, reliably, and persuasively with clients, senior business people, legal management and external regulators, both orally and in writing
• Commitment to integrity and American Express value
• Fluency in an additional language such as Mandarin is preferred, but not mandatory

Benefits:

We back our colleagues and their loved ones with benefits and programs that support their holistic well-being. That means we prioritize their physical, financial, and mental health through each stage of life. Benefits include:

• Competitive base salaries
• Bonus incentives
• Support for financial well-being and retirement
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and disability benefits (depending on location)
• Flexible working model with hybrid or onsite arrangements depending on role and business need
• Generous paid parental leave policies (depending on your location)
• Free access to global on-site wellness centers staffed with nurses and doctors (depending on location)
• Free and confidential counseling support through our Healthy Minds program
• Career development and training opportunities

Offer of employment with American Express is conditioned upon the successful completion of a background verification check, subject to applicable laws and regulations.