Investment Management Governance Attorney, VP

MSIM Description
Morgan Stanley Investment Management (MSIM), together with its investment advisory affiliates, has more than 1,300 investment professionals in 25 countries around the world and $1.6 trillion in assets under management or supervision as of March 31, 2025. MSIM strives to provide strong long-term investment performance, outstanding service, and a comprehensive suite of investment management solutions to a diverse client base, which includes governments, institutions, corporations and individuals worldwide. As part of an integrated global financial services firm, MSIM is a truly global business with a broad offering from active fixed income and equities to alternatives and customized solutions. This is an exciting time to join MSIM: the combination of scale and diversification in the business positions us well strategically for long-term growth, and we have ambitious goals to continue growing the business.

Group Description
MSIM's Legal team works closely with our business partners to provide well-reasoned, concise legal, regulatory, and strategic advice on current, proposed or anticipated business activities of MSIM across its equities, fixed income & liquidity, alternative investments and solutions & multi-assets businesses in order to execute business objectives while managing legal, regulatory and franchise risks. MSIM lawyers are proud of their reputation as problem solvers who collaborate across areas and regions to deliver powerful results.

Position Summary
You will be part of the Public Side Legal team, reporting to the Head of Fund Governance and Disclosure and working under the supervision of a senior attorney. You will advise on a wide variety of corporate governance and disclosure matters related to our U.S. registered fund complexes and associated boards of directors/trustees, as well as ongoing regulatory advocacy efforts for MSIM. A successful candidate will be highly-organized, with strong expertise in the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, and the regulatory frameworks governing U.S. registered funds (mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, closed-end funds, and other registered funds). Specific responsibilities include:

- Support a team that is responsible for the management of all aspects of board of director/trustee operations, including coordination and operation of board meetings, and U.S. registered fund disclosure practices.
- Collaborate with other members of the Legal and Compliance Division to advise key business stakeholders across functional areas on board initiatives and the fund lifecycle process, including new product initiatives, fund reorganizations, and other board-level initiatives.
- Provide legal advice and support with respect to corporate governance matters for MSIM's U.S. registered funds business, including liaising with external counsel and the boards, creating and reviewing board materials, and providing guidance to business partners and senior management on board proposals.
- Assist in the advising on the preparation of U.S. registered fund registration statements, shareholder reports and other regulatory filings.
- Support the continuous evaluation and implementation of enhancements to existing board and disclosure processes and practices.
- Monitor industry trends and regulatory developments impacting U.S. registered funds and coordinate associated implications with internal stakeholders and to the boards of directors / trustees.
- Assist in the ongoing development and implementation of MSIM U.S. regulatory advocacy strategy. You thrive on working in a fast-paced, global business that demands creativity, excellence, and adaptability, and requires attention to detail, strong time management and organizational skills, and a logical/analytical approach. You think critically, spot issues, and exercise good judgement. You enjoy working in a team environment but are also able to work independently. Other specific requirements include:

- A J.D. from a nationally-recognized law school with bar admission and at least 3-8 years of professional working experience at a reputable law firm or asset-manager with a focus on registered products
- Demonstrated experience working with or supporting U.S. registered investment advisers, including involvement in board reporting, fund governance, and disclosure matters.
- Understanding of the regulatory environment and trends relevant to asset management with experience advising on legal matters related to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, the Investment Company Act of 1940, Securities Act of 1933, Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and investment adviser fiduciary duties.
- Experience engaging and overseeing external counsel as necessary

Compensation is commensurate with experience

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM MORGAN STANLEY:

We are committed to maintaining the first-class service and high standard of excellence that have defined Morgan Stanley for over 89 years. Our values - putting clients first, doing the right thing, leading with exceptional ideas, committing to diversity and inclusion, and giving back - aren’t just beliefs, they guide the decisions we make every day to do what's best for our clients, communities and more than 80,000 employees in 1,200 offices across 42 countries. At Morgan Stanley, you’ll find an opportunity to work alongside the best and the brightest, in an environment where you are supported and empowered. Our teams are relentless collaborators and creative thinkers, fueled by their diverse backgrounds and experiences. We are proud to support our employees and their families at every point along their work-life journey, offering some of the most attractive and comprehensive employee benefits and perks in the industry. There’s also ample opportunity to move about the business for those who show passion and grit in their work.

To learn more about our offices across the globe, please copy and paste https://www.morganstanley.com/about-us/global-offices​ into your browser.

Expected base pay rates for the role will be between $120,000 and $205,000 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.

Morgan Stanley's goal is to build and maintain a workforce that is diverse in experience and background but uniform in reflecting our standards of integrity and excellence. Consequently, our recruiting efforts reflect our desire to attract and retain the best and brightest from all talent pools. We want to be the first choice for prospective employees.

It is the policy of the Firm to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, age, sex, sex stereotype, gender, gender identity or expression, transgender, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, disability, marital and civil partnership/union status, pregnancy, veteran or military service status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Morgan Stanley is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversifying its workforce (M/F/Disability/Vet).