Australian Legal Counsel

Notes to applicants:

• Dimensional sees great value from collaborating in our offices and appreciates the benefits of flexibility. Most roles fit our office-first hybrid approach: We are together on our campuses Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays and have the choice to work in the office or remotely, depending on what is best for that work day, on Mondays and Fridays. This approach maximizes in-person collaboration and interaction while simultaneously providing flexibility and applies to most roles globally with a few exceptions that require more or less time in the office. Please discuss with your Recruiter to confirm the details for this specific role.

• Resumes and portfolios (when applicable) are required as part of your application. When applying from a mobile device or tablet, you may not be able to attach a resume. If you cannot include an attachment at the time of your application, you will receive a follow up email asking you to attach your resume from a computer.

• Here at Dimensional, we strive to be an inclusive workplace for all. Even if you do not match every qualification listed, if you are interested in who we are, what we do, and why we do it, we suggest and encourage you to apply.

• The use of Artificial Intelligence during interviews and skill testing is prohibited, unless Dimensional Fund Advisors has authorized such use.

• If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, such accommodation is available upon request.

Dimensional’s Legal Department is responsible for navigating legal and regulatory environments, working to ensure the firm can deliver high-quality, compliant, innovative, and client-focused products and services while adhering to Dimensional’s risk appetite and applicable laws and regulations. Team members work with outside counsel and clients’ legal advisors to obtain applicable advice, develop internal legal expertise, and provide high-quality services to our internal business clients. The team works collaboratively and diligently to facilitate global business activities for Dimensional’s clients, entities, and funds

Working with other members of the Australian and global legal team, this Counsel position will provide advice and legal support to the business on a wide range of funds, investment management, general company and commercial issues.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate closely with Dimensional’s Australian and global legal team to provide legal advice and support to the business on Australian and global regulatory issues arising in the context of Dimensional’s asset management business

• Provide general regulatory advice – including interpretation and application of regulatory reforms to the business

• Provide legal guidance and advice to the business for new investment product launches, including preparation of disclosure documentation

• Review, negotiate and draft Investment Management Agreements for Australian clients – working closely with internal stakeholders to provide commercial advice

• Liaise with and oversee work of outside counsel on a variety of Australian legal matters ensuring the standards for service delivery and cost are met

• Partner with sales, client servicing, marketing, product development, research and compliance departments to identify and manage any legal issues and risks

• Assist with reviews of Australian marketing materials, client/consultant questionnaires and ongoing due diligence requests

• Work with the global legal team with respect to preparation and review of Australian client and supplier/vendor contracts – including platform agreements, back-office contracts, IT contracts and other corporate contracts

• Assist the global team with Australian HR-related matters

• Manage class action participation by the Australian managed investment schemes in Australian securities class actions

Qualifications and Experience

• Experience in either private practice with an upper tier law firm in corporate and securities law or funds and investment management, or in-house experience with an investment manager or financial services business with exposure to Australian funds/investment management issues

• At least 7 years of practice

• Strong academic achievement at a top law school

• Australian qualified lawyer or member of a US state bar

• Ability to provide advice which is both technically correct and commercial

• Ability to work with global legal colleagues across different jurisdictions and time zones. If located in Austin, work hours would be slightly shifted to allow for collaboration with Australian legal and business teams during Australian business hours   

• Proficiency with the Corporations Act (experience in Chapters 5C and 7 of the Corporations Act)

• Familiarity with the Australian PDS regime, investment management agreements, and wrap and other platform agreements is desirable

• General Australian contract law experience is desirable

• Team player with ability to work on own initiative, and manage multiple work streams and tasks reliably

• Ability to collaborate with non-legal teams within the business and explain practical implications of the law effectively

• Very strong communication skills (verbal and written)

• Detail oriented and organized

• Technical fluency, including proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite & other legal technology (ebilling, legal document repository, legal research tools), as well as a willingness & ability to learn and adapt to new technologies

Dimensional offers a variety of programs to help take care of you, your family, and your career, including comprehensive benefits, educational initiatives, and special celebrations of our history, culture, and growth.

It is the policy of the Company to provide equal opportunity for all employees and applicants.  The Company recruits, hires, trains, promotes, compensates, and administers all personnel actions without regard to actual or perceived race, color, religion, religious practice, creed, sex, sex stereotyping, pregnancy (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), caregiver status, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender identity, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, ancestry, medical condition, marital status, familial status, domestic partnership status, military or veteran status or service, unemployment status, citizenship status or alienage, sexual orientation, status as a victim of domestic violence, status as a victim of stalking, status as a victim of sex offenses, genetic information, political activities or recreational activities, arrest or conviction record, salary history, natural hairstyle or any other status protected by applicable law except as otherwise required or permitted by law or regulation applicable to the Company or its affiliates.