Junior Counsel - Harbor Capital

This title can range from Junior Counsel to Counsel depending on experience level.

Summary

Harbor Capital Advisors, Inc. (“Harbor Capital”) is an investment management firm headquartered in Chicago, Illinois with approximately $64 billion in assets under management as of November 12, 2024. Harbor Capital’s mission is to curate the most innovative active strategies and solutions from around the globe to inspire and empower people to invest better for the financial security they deserve. We primarily utilize a manager-of-managers approach in managing client assets but also have a multi-asset solutions team that manages client assets internally. We offer clients a full suite of product offerings, including mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), collective investment trusts (CITs) and model portfolio solutions.

We are seeking a self-motivated, results-oriented Junior Counsel to assist in providing legal advice to internal clients of the firm and to provide support to the broader Legal & Compliance Team. As a member of the Legal & Compliance Team, the Junior Counsel will advise the firm’s business professionals on a broad range of investment management, mutual fund, ETF and CIT legal and regulatory compliance work. The Junior Counsel will assist with the preparation of SEC filings including the annual update of fund registration statements and prospectus supplement filings. The Junior Counsel will also assist with the preparation of board meeting materials for the Harbor funds’ Board of Trustees and Harbor Trust Company Board of Directors meetings. The Junior Counsel also would be expected to provide support in other areas, including reviewing and negotiating a wide range of contracts and agreements, providing legal review of regulatory filings, and conducting legal research on diverse issues ranging from the applicability of new regulations to shareholder matters. Training and mentorship will be provided.

This position can be based in Chicago or Boston. We follow a hybrid schedule working in-office two days a week.

Key Responsibilities

1. Assist with the preparation of materials for board meetings including minutes.
2. Provide support in drafting and reviewing Harbor Funds’, Harbor Funds II’s, and Harbor ETF Trust’s SEC regulatory filings, such as initial filings and annual updates to the registration statement on Form N-1A, registration statement supplements, business combinations on Form N-14, and information statements.
3. Provide legal support, as needed, with respect to Harbor Capital’s Forms ADV and PF with the SEC, quarterly and annual filings with the NFA and the CFTC, and Harbor Funds Distributors’ FINRA filings.
4. Review, negotiate and draft a wide range of contracts, including investment management agreements, intermediary and trading agreements for the various products, and general business contracts.
5. Conduct legal research on a diverse range of issues including new regulations.
6. Participate in cross-company projects as necessary.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Licensed attorney with law degree from a national law school and strong academic credentials.
2. 1 - 6 years of experience with the Investment Company Act of 1940 and Investment Advisers Act of 1940 with a major law firm or in-house with a mutual fund company.
3. Committed to maintaining the highest ethical standards.
4. Experience with ETFs and/or operating in a manager-of-managers structure is a plus.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required

1. The ideal candidate will be an intelligent, energetic, goal-oriented, conceptual thinker with the ability to quickly assess a situation and exercise sound business judgment.
2. Prior experience in the investment management industry and knowledge of the regulations that govern its activities, including the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, and the Securities Act of 1933.
3. Excellent interpersonal and communications skills; must be able to interact with business professionals and address issues in a thoughtful and timely manner.
4. Independent, self-starter with a positive, can-do attitude and the ability to follow through and complete tasks in a team environment.
5. Ability to work individually and with other team members under pressure and prioritize competing tasks that require the highest level of attention to detail and accuracy.
6. Proficiency with learning and administering technological applications; prior experience with DFIN’s ArcPro system is a plus.
7. Ability to shift focus dependent upon the need of the department to support teamwork.

About Us

What makes Harbor unique is our commitment to only partnering with the very best asset managers globally. This focus allows us to act in the best interests of our shareholders every day, and help them achieve their investment goals through active, cost aware investing. This approach has served us well, becoming one of the largest and most highly regarded manager of managers in the industry.

If you are passionate about putting shareholders first and enjoy the unique nature of working with the very best asset managers in the world, click on "Apply" to start your application!