Hire the Best Securities Finance Lawyers

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Based on 2,837 client reviews
Shailvi S.

Ahmedabad, India

$20/hr
4.5
59 jobs

I'm Shailvi, a skilled legal professional with a passion for contract drafting, legal research, and writing. With years of experience in the field, I offer comprehensive paralegal services to assist lawyers and clients in the US and UK. Here are the skills I bring to the table: ⦿ International contract drafting: Crafting precise and effective contracts that protect clients' interests, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations. ⦿ Advanced contract negotiations: Navigating complex contractual arrangements, drafting and reviewing provisions to safeguard clients' rights and mitigate risks. ⦿ Legal research and writing: Conducting thorough research on diverse legal issues, producing well-crafted documents such as briefs, memos, legal opinions, and case summaries. ⦿ Paralegal services: Supporting attorneys with document management, file organization, calendaring, and other administrative tasks to enhance operational efficiency. My commitment to providing exceptional service and delivering high-quality work sets me apart. I am a reliable and proactive professional, always striving to exceed expectations and meet deadlines.✨ If you're in need of a detail-oriented legal professional who can help you with contract drafting, legal research, and paralegal services, let's connect! I'm excited to collaborate on your next project and contribute to your success." Feel free to reach out to me to discuss about the project.😊

  • Contract Drafting
  • Contract Law
  • Corporate Law
  • Legal Drafting
  • Content Writing
  • Legal Translation
  • Corporate Finance
  • Legal Agreement
  • Virtual Assistance
  • Legal Consulting
  • Legal Assistance
  • Legal Motion
  • Legal Negotiation
  • Legal Applications & Registration
  • Legal Practice Management
Yael K.

New York, New York

$145/hr
4.9
98 jobs

I’ve been practicing commercial law for over 25 years, and am motivated by identifying creative solutions to challenging situations . I work with founders, business owners, investors, and international clients on the contracts and disputes that run their businesses - SaaS agreements, IP, employment, privacy, cease and desists, and more. My approach to drafting and dispute resolution combines creativity and persistence to reach practical outcomes for all parties. I’m direct, I move quickly, and I don’t dress things up. Background: LL.M. in Corporate Finance and M&A from Fordham Law, LL.M. in International Taxation from Hebrew University of Jerusalem, years at Deloitte (New York and Tel Aviv) on cross-border work, and years at Sunrise Securities Group counseling technology, cybersecurity, and real estate investment companies on financing, SEC reporting, and board governance. Admitted in New York. Fluent in English and Hebrew. What I work on most: • SaaS agreements, MSAs, and B2B commercial contracts • International and cross-border commercial transactions • Corporate counsel formation, governance, operating agreements, joint ventures • Corporate restructuring and reorganization • Tax planning and tax-driven structuring (U.S. and international) • Employment law agreements, contractors, non-competes, workplace issues • IP licensing, copyright protection, and infringement enforcement • Cease and desist letters • Privacy policies, terms of service, and data agreements • Demand letters and pre-litigation strategy • Ongoing counsel for small businesses What clients have said: “Absolutely top-tier. Strategic, fast, and incredibly professional.” “If you’re looking for an attorney who’s smart, intuitive, and truly looks out for you, Yael Katz is the one.” “Highly knowledgeable, thoughtful, and clearly an expert in her field.” Feel free to reach out for a non-billable preliminary consultation. I’ll give you initial guidance on what you’re working on, and we can take it from there.

  • Legal Agreement
  • Contract Drafting
  • Tax Law
  • Contract
  • Legal
Joseph R.

Dallas, Texas

$275/hr
4.7
214 jobs

I help founders, investors, fund sponsors, and established companies buy and sell businesses, raise capital, form funds and joint ventures, and negotiate the agreements that protect their transactions. I am a New York- and Texas-licensed corporate attorney, former senior associate at Clifford Chance and Thacher Proffitt & Wood in Manhattan, and Top Rated Plus on Upwork. During more than 20 years in practice, I have worked on over $100 billion in domestic and cross-border transactions involving startups, private and public companies, investment banks, private equity sponsors, and investment funds. Clients engage me for sophisticated legal drafting and analysis combined with direct attention, practical business judgment, responsiveness, and cost-conscious execution. My JD/MBA background enables me to evaluate legal provisions in their commercial context—not merely explain what the contract says. M&A AND BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS • Buy-side and sell-side acquisitions • Asset purchase agreements, stock purchase agreements, and membership interest purchase agreements • Letters of intent, term sheets, due diligence, disclosure schedules, and closing documents • Earnouts, rollover equity, escrows, indemnification, and purchase-price adjustments • Founder and member buyouts, business separations, and succession transactions • Domestic and cross-border M&A SECURITIES AND CAPITAL RAISING • Rule 506(b) and 506(c), Regulation D, Regulation S, Regulation A, and Regulation CF offerings • Private Placement Memoranda (PPMs), subscription agreements, investor questionnaires, risk factors, and offering materials • SAFEs, convertible notes, promissory notes, bridge notes, and warrants • Form D filings, Blue Sky compliance, and offering-process advice • Securities-law review of pitch decks, websites, investor communications, and placement arrangements FUNDS, SPVs, AND JOINT VENTURES • Private funds, real estate funds, special-purpose vehicles, and project joint ventures • LLC operating agreements, subscription documents, investment agreements, and governance provisions • Distribution waterfalls, sponsor economics, management compensation, and investor protections • Investment Company Act and related structural considerations CORPORATE AND COMMERCIAL COUNSEL • Company formation, capitalization, shareholder agreements, and operating agreements • Board, shareholder, and member consents; governance policies; and corporate records • Customer, vendor, services, licensing, confidentiality, and independent-contractor agreements • Contract drafting, review, negotiation, and risk analysis • Outside general counsel and strategic advice to founders, executives, and boards MY APPROACH • Business-minded: I explain what matters commercially and how the legal terms affect the transaction. • Practical: I distinguish genuine risks from points that do not justify unnecessary time or expense. • Responsive: I communicate clearly, meet deadlines, and keep transactions moving. • Flexible: I offer hourly representation and defined fixed-fee scopes where appropriate. “Joe helped me buy back my company from my former partners and navigate difficult waters. He saved my business.” If you are buying or selling a business, raising capital, forming a fund or joint venture, or negotiating a high-stakes agreement, send me a message describing the transaction, jurisdiction, timeline, and available documents. I can then recommend an appropriate scope and next steps.

  • Mergers & Acquisitions
  • Securities Law
  • Contract Law
  • Capital Markets
  • Corporate Law
  • Acquisitions
  • Contract
  • Legal Agreement
  • Contract Drafting
  • Legal
  • Contract Negotiation
  • Due Diligence
  • Document Review
  • Legal Consulting
  • Corporate Governance
  • Fundraising
  • Joint Venture
  • Startup Consulting
  • Law
  • Finance & Law
Yasser A.

Muntinlupa, Philippines

$15/hr
5.0
5 jobs

Dedicated to Delivering Accurate, Reliable & Compliant Solutions for My Clients -Looking for a trusted CPA Lawyer who can confidently handle your tax, accounting, and legal needs? -Are you dealing with complex corporate compliance requirements? -Need someone experienced in navigating BIR, SEC, CDA, PEZA, BOI, and LGUs? -Searching for a professional who understands both Law and Accounting? Then you’ve found the right expert. 📘 Expertise: I am a CPA Lawyer with 10+ years of experience in audit, accounting, taxation, and business law. As the Managing Owner of Aureada CPA Law Firm, I have supported businesses of all sizes—local and international. My credentials include: -Juris Doctor – San Beda School of Law -Accredited External Auditor (SEC, CDA, Board of Accountancy) -Accredited Tax Agent – BIR -Chartered Tax Adviser (Level 1) – The Tax Institute (Sydney, Australia) I work closely with key government agencies such as BIR, SEC, CDC, PEZA, BOI, and LGUs, ensuring smooth compliance and efficient handling of tax and corporate matters. ⏳ Time Saver: Say goodbye to the stress of managing reports, compliance documents, audits, and financial statements. I streamline your legal and financial workflows so you can focus on running and growing your business. 📈 Growth Partner: Beyond compliance, I ensure your business remains stable, protected, and strategically positioned. Let’s support your business goals by managing your finances, reports, and legal requirements efficiently. 🧩 Problem Solver: Whether it’s tax audits, corporate legal issues, regulatory matters, or financial reporting—I provide practical, accurate, and reliable solutions tailored to your needs. What I Can Help You With: ✔ Tax audits, tax planning, and full tax compliance ✔ Legal support for business law and corporate matters ✔ Corporate reporting, government filings, and regulatory documentation ✔ Representation before BIR, SEC, CDA, PEZA, BOI, and LGUs ✔ Financial statement preparation, review, and analysis ✔ Assistance with litigation and legal documentation ✔ Annual reporting & corporate governance support ✔ Accounting and compliance services for international businesses operating in the Philippines LET'S TALK.

  • Balance Sheet
  • Bank Reconciliation
  • Intuit QuickBooks
  • GAAP
  • Xero
  • Legal Assistance
  • Sage 50 Accounting
  • Cost Accounting
  • Accounting Software
  • Tax Law
  • Corporate Tax
  • Corporate Law
  • Litigation
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Forensic Accounting
Alex R.

Toronto, Canada

$100/hr
5.0
78 jobs

Hi, I'm Alex. I'm a licensed cross-border lawyer in the US/Canada, and I make doing business easier. I offer a variety of lean, fixed-fee legal solutions for startups, ventures and small businesses such as: • Business formation and structuring (LLCs, C-Corps) • Corporate governance, maintenance, changes, and compliance • Contract drafting, review, negotiation, and execution support • IP protection (assignments, USPTO/CIPO trademark applications) • Venture finance, capital markets, and securities work • Legal strategy and business consulting I offer a non-committal consult for $100 which is applied as a credit on any future work (making some services free). After the consult, all services are offered for an unbundled fixed-fee on an as-needed basis. No unexpected bills, no hidden fees, and no $30 emails. I also offer competitive fractional general counsel packages and a modest retainer if you require more consistent, ongoing support. If you have a question or proposal, I'd love to get in touch. Please note: the contents of this profile, and any communications through Upwork do not create an attorney-client relationship, are not legal advice, and do not guarantee any particular outcome.

  • Contract
  • Contract Drafting
  • Contract Law
  • Legal
  • Corporate Law
  • Startup Consulting
  • Lean Startup
  • Compliance
  • Legal Entity Structuring
  • Venture Capital
  • Cryptocurrency
  • Corporate Governance
  • Law
  • Legal Research
  • Legal Writing
Priyanka M.

Nanded, India

$25/hr
4.9
157 jobs

⚖️ 𝑰 𝒅𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒅𝒓𝒂𝒇𝒕 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒔 - 𝑰 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒃𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒓𝒐𝒂𝒅𝒎𝒂𝒑. ⚖️ As a legal consultant with a cross-border focus (US & India), I help startup founders, independent consultants, and remote businesses navigate the law with confidence. I combine personal attention with professional rigor to deliver legal solutions that drive your business forward. From setting up your company to shielding your intellectual property, my goal is to de-risk your growth so you can innovate freely. ✅ 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐞 & 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬: I’m an experienced corporate lawyer and startup advisor who has guided businesses from Silicon Valley to Bangalore through critical legal milestones. ✅ 𝐌𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞: 1. Business Incorporation (India & US): ↳ Entity formation, founders’ agreements, and regulatory filings to get your startup off the ground in either jurisdiction. 2. Contracts & NDAs: ↳ Expert drafting and review of contracts (NDAs, service agreements, partnership deals, international contracts, etc.) to protect your interests and avoid disputes. 3. Intellectual Property Protection: ↳ Securing your IP through trademark registration, copyright advisement, and IP clauses in contracts – ensuring your brand and product are safe from copycats. 4. ESOPs & Equity Agreements: ↳ Creating employee stock option plans and founder equity agreements that attract talent while safeguarding ownership structure. 5. Compliance & Legal Risk Checklists: ↳ 2-minute legal risk checkups and detailed compliance audits to keep your business compliant with labor laws, data privacy, and industry regulations across borders. 6. Ongoing Legal Advisory: ↳ Long-term fractional General Counsel support for startups – I act as your on-call legal partner, handling day-to-day queries, contract updates, and cross-border compliance so you can focus on growth. ✅𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐞? I bring clarity, speed, and business-savvy insight to legal work. You’ll get practical legal advice minus the jargon - I explain options clearly and give you actionable next steps. I pride myself on being responsive (often within a few hours) and proactive in identifying issues before they become problems. Past clients have appreciated my attention to detail and ability to anticipate legal pitfalls in new markets. Whether you’re launching your first product or expanding internationally, I tailor my services to fit your needs and budget. 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞? 𝐋𝐞𝐭’𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭! 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡 𝙛𝙧𝙚𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙚 𝙖 𝙢𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙖𝙜𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙡𝙚𝙜𝙖𝙡 𝙦𝙪𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙤𝙧 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙟𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝙙𝙚𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙡𝙨, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙄’𝙡𝙡 𝙗𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙥. (𝙄 𝙤𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙧 𝙖 𝙛𝙧𝙚𝙚 𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 – 𝙖𝙨𝙠 𝙢𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜!) 𝙄 𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙚𝙣𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙤𝙣 𝙨𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙙 𝙡𝙚𝙜𝙖𝙡 𝙜𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 𝙖𝙨 𝙞𝙩 𝙜𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙨.

  • Contract Drafting
  • Legal Writing
  • Corporate Law
  • Contract Law
  • Capital Markets
  • Company Registration
  • Employment Law
  • Compliance
  • Contract Management
  • Legal Consulting
  • Tax Law
  • Legal Agreement
  • Legal Assistance
  • Legal Drafting
  • International Law

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Don't just take our word for it

What does a Securities Finance lawyer do?

A securities finance lawyer drafts and negotiates the legal documentation that governs securities lending and borrowing transactions. This work centers on market-standard master agreements and the specific schedules that adapt them to individual deals. The lawyer analyzes regulatory requirements and insolvency laws to protect clients from enforceability risks during market stress. They structure collateral arrangements to secure loans while maintaining compliance with netting and close-out mechanics.

  • Drafts and negotiates terms for securities lending master agreements, including detailed schedules and annexes for cross-border transactions. This work often involves selecting an industry-standard framework such as the ISLA Global Master Securities Lending Agreement (GMSLA) and aligning transaction-specific provisions to it. The lawyer marks up language to reflect commercial terms while preserving critical legal protections for both lenders and borrowers.
  • Advises on the enforceability of key legal protections under relevant governing laws, with a focus on netting and close-out mechanics. This includes coordinating jurisdiction-specific legal opinions to validate that termination rights hold up in insolvency scenarios. The lawyer reviews transaction capacity and identifies risks that could invalidate the documentation as a whole in certain legal systems.
  • Supports documentation choices and conducts legal risk analysis for collateral structures tied to the master agreement framework. This involves assessing how security arrangements interact with the primary lending agreement and documenting any implications for the overall legal structure. The lawyer also reviews regulatory and compliance touchpoints that may affect how the agreement and related documents are structured to meet local financial rules.

How to hire a Securities Finance lawyer on Upwork

Step 1: Post a job

Define your transaction scope and governing law requirements clearly to attract qualified counsel. The Job Post Generator powered by Uma™, Upwork's Mindful AI drafts a precise post from a few sentences describing your needs. You can write a new post, update a saved draft, or reuse an existing post to start the search.

  • Specify whether the work involves drafting master agreements like the ISLA GMSLA or reviewing enforceability of netting provisions under specific jurisdictions.
  • List required experience with collateral structures and close-out mechanics to filter for lawyers who understand securities lending risks.
  • Include the expected volume of transactions or complexity of cross-border elements to help freelancers estimate effort accurately.

Step 2: Evaluate candidates

Look for portfolios that show marked-up agreements and legal memos on validity of termination clauses. Uma runs instant video interviews and builds shortlists with side-by-side comparisons to highlight relevant expertise.

  • Check for samples of finalized schedules and annexes that demonstrate attention to detail in defining loaned securities and collateral.
  • Verify experience with jurisdiction-specific legal opinions that support the enforceability of master agreement protections in your target markets.
  • Review past work on regulatory compliance touchpoints to confirm the lawyer anticipates issues affecting documentation structure.

Step 3: Interview your top choices

Discuss their approach to negotiating key terms and managing legal risk in securities financing deals. Schedule interviews within Upwork Messages to receive an immediate transcript and summary after each conversation.

  • Ask how they assess insolvency close-out validity and what steps they take to mitigate enforceability risks in foreign jurisdictions.
  • Request examples of how they have structured collateral arrangements to align with master agreement frameworks and security interests.
  • Inquire about their process for coordinating with local counsel to obtain necessary legal opinions for multi-jurisdiction transactions.

Step 4: Agree on scope and begin work

Set clear milestones for drafting, review, and finalization of agreement documentation. Use Upwork Messages and the contract workroom for communication and project management, plus identity verification, payment protection, hourly tracking, and project funds for security.

  • Define deliverables such as marked-up master terms and legal analysis memos on netting mechanics with specific deadlines.
  • Establish a schedule for submitting inputs for jurisdiction-specific legal opinions and reviewing the resulting outputs.
  • Agree on protocols for sharing sensitive transaction data securely within the contract workroom during the engagement.

Upwork is not affiliated with and does not sponsor or endorse any of the tools or services discussed in this article. These tools and services are provided only as potential options, and each reader and company should take the time needed to adequately analyze and determine the tools or services that would best fit their specific needs and situation.

The rates and information provided in this article are based on current data and industry sources available at the time of publication. Freelance rates can vary depending on factors such as experience, location, project scope, and market conditions. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research to confirm current rates and trends, as this information may change over time.

How much does hiring a Securities Finance lawyer cost?

$500-$2,500 per project is a typical range for focused Securities Finance lawyer work. Final pricing depends on scope, technical complexity, required integrations, source-material quality, revision needs, and the freelancer's experience level.

Legal enforceability review

$500-$1,200/project

Mid-level
  • Assesses validity of netting and close-out mechanics under governing law
  • Identifies jurisdiction-specific enforceability gaps in documentation
  • Outlines required legal opinion inputs for key protections

Master agreement negotiation

$1,200-$2,500/project

Mid-level to senior-level
  • Revises master terms and schedules to align with transaction requirements
  • Prepares customized annex provisions for collateral and lending terms
  • Lists critical legal risks and proposed compromises for counterparty review

Collateral structure advisory

$2,500-$4,500/project

Senior-level
  • Evaluates legal implications of proposed collateral arrangements
  • Specifies required security agreements and perfection steps
  • Reviews regulatory touchpoints affecting collateral eligibility and handling

Cross-border transaction support

$4,500-$7,000/project

Senior-level
  • Details governing law conflicts and local regulatory constraints
  • Manages requests for local counsel opinions on enforceability
  • Aligns multi-jurisdictional terms within the master agreement framework

Full deal documentation

$7,000-$12,000/project

Expert-level
  • Completes all master terms, schedules, and annexes for execution
  • Compiles jurisdiction-specific opinions supporting netting and close-out
  • Verifies capacity, authority, and regulatory compliance for signing

Frequently asked questions

Is hiring a Securities Finance lawyer worth it?

For most businesses, yes: hiring a Securities Finance lawyer is worthwhile. These specialists draft and negotiate complex master agreements like the GMSLA to protect your interests in securities lending transactions. They also analyze enforceability risks for netting and close-out mechanics under specific governing laws.

How do I evaluate Securities Finance lawyer candidates?

Look for direct experience with ISLA Global Master Securities Lending Agreement documentation and jurisdiction-specific legal opinions. A strong candidate submits marked-up schedules that clearly address collateral structures and close-out enforceability without requiring extensive rework.

What documents does a Securities Finance lawyer prepare?

A Securities Finance lawyer authors marked-up master agreement terms, schedules, and annexes tailored to your transaction. They also compile legal analysis memos on the validity of netting provisions and coordinate inputs for jurisdiction-specific legal opinions.

Why is governing law important in securities finance?

Governing law determines whether courts will enforce netting and close-out protections if a counterparty becomes insolvent. A Securities Finance lawyer identifies these jurisdiction-specific risks to structure agreements that hold up in litigation.