1

Commodities Attorney Jobs (NOW HIRING)

ED, Commodities Attorney

New York, NY · On-site

$165K - $275K/yr

We're seeking someone to join our team as an Attorney in Commodities Sales & Trading providing legal and regulatory coverage for physical and financial commodities trading activities. The role ...

We're seeking someone to join our team as an Attorney in Commodities Sales & Trading providing legal and regulatory coverage for physical and financial commodities trading activities. The role ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Commodities Attorney information

See salary details

$52K

$136.1K

$213.5K

How much do commodities attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for commodities attorney in the United States is $136,143.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $101,500.00 and $161,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a commodities attorney, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Commodities Attorney, you need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, active state bar membership, and in-depth knowledge of commodities law and regulations such as the Commodity Exchange Act. Familiarity with compliance management systems, legal research tools like Westlaw or LexisNexis, and experience with filings to regulatory bodies such as the CFTC are typically required. Strong analytical thinking, negotiation skills, and the ability to communicate complex legal concepts clearly make someone stand out in this position. These skills and qualities are essential for ensuring legal compliance, mitigating risk, and advising clients effectively in the dynamic commodities markets.

What are some common challenges faced by commodities attorneys in ensuring regulatory compliance?

Commodities Attorneys often face the challenge of keeping up with rapidly evolving regulations from agencies such as the CFTC and SEC. They must interpret complex statutes and advise clients or firms on compliance with trading, reporting, and anti-manipulation rules. Balancing legal risk with business goals can be demanding, especially when regulations change or new products are introduced. Effective communication and collaboration with compliance teams, traders, and executives are essential for navigating these complexities and mitigating legal exposure.

What is a commodities attorney?

Commodities attorneys are legal professionals who specialize in the laws and regulations governing the trading, sale, and distribution of commodities such as oil, gas, agricultural products, and precious metals. They advise clients—including traders, companies, and financial institutions—on compliance with regulatory bodies like the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), draft and review contracts, and represent clients in disputes or enforcement actions. Their work ensures that clients operate within the legal framework of commodities markets and helps mitigate legal risks associated with these highly regulated transactions.

What is the difference between Commodities Attorney vs Commodity Trader?

AspectCommodities Attorney

Commodities Attorneys focus on legal aspects of commodities trading, including regulations, contracts, and compliance. They typically hold law degrees and may have certifications like the Certified Commercial Contracts Manager. They work in legal environments, law firms, or corporate legal departments within the commodities industry. Commodity Traders, on the other hand, buy and sell commodities for profit, requiring financial knowledge and market analysis skills. They usually have backgrounds in finance or economics and work in trading firms or financial institutions. While both roles operate within the commodities industry, their core functions differ significantly.

More about Commodities Attorney jobs
What cities are hiring for Commodities Attorney jobs? Cities with the most Commodities Attorney job openings:
What states have the most Commodities Attorney jobs? States with the most job openings for Commodities Attorney jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Commodities Attorney jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Commodities Attorney jobs are:
Infographic showing various Commodities Attorney job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $136,143 per year, or $65.5 per hour.

ED, Commodities Attorney

Morgan Stanley

New York, NY • On-site

$165K - $275K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 5 days ago


Morgan Stanley rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 154 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

38th of 150 rated financial services


Job description

We're seeking someone to join our team as an Attorney in Commodities Sales & Trading providing legal and regulatory coverage for physical and financial commodities trading activities. The role supports trading businesses across energy, metals, power and environmental products, with a strong focus on transaction structure, regulatory analysis and risk identification.
In the Legal & Compliance division, we assist the Firm in achieving its business objectives by facilitating and overseeing the Firm's management of legal, regulatory and franchise risk. This is a Vice President level position within Legal Commodities Sales & Trading.
What You'll Do:
-Provide day-to-day legal coverage for physical and financial commodities trading. Draft, review, and negotiate commodities trading documentation, including master agreements, confirmations, and bespoke agreements.
-Advise on U.S. commodities regulatory matters, including the Commodity Exchange Act, FERC, CFTC and state regulations, exemptions, and interpretive guidance
-Assess regulatory risk associated with new products, trading strategies, and counterparties.
- Support responses to regulatory inquiries and examinations, in coordination with Compliance and other stakeholders
- Provide legal support for trading activity conducted under RTO and ISO tariffs and market rules.
- Advise on participation requirements, tariff-based trading structures, and settlement mechanics in organized wholesale electricity markets
- Analyze interaction between FERC-regulated markets and the Commodity Exchange Act, including applicable exemptions and regulatory relief
- Act as a key legal advisor to commodities trading businesses while maintaining appropriate independence
- Coordinate closely with traders, originators, structurers, Compliance, and Risk on legal and regulatory issues
- Management of external counsel
Since 1935, Morgan Stanley is known as a global leader in financial services, always evolving and innovating to better serve our clients and our communities in more than 40 countries around the world.
Required
- J.D. from an accredited law school; bar admission in good standing.
- 6+ years of relevant experience in commodities, energy, and derivatives
- Strong working knowledge of U.S. commodities regulatory frameworks (FERC, CFTC and state regulation).
- Ability to operate efficiently and effectively in a fast-paced, deal-driven environment
- Excellent communication, drafting and negotiation skills
- Demonstrated record of sound legal judgment
Preferred
- Familiarity with RTO/ISO market rules and organized power markets.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM MORGAN STANLEY:
At Morgan Stanley, we raise, manage and allocate capital for our clients - helping them reach their goals. We do it in a way that's differentiated - and we've done that for 90 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 $165,000 and $275,000 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 is an equal opportunity employer committed to building and maintaining a workforce that is diverse in experience and background. Our recruiting efforts reflect our strong commitment to a culture of inclusion, where individuals are hired, developed, and advanced based on their skills and talents.
Our workforce reflects a broad cross-section of the global communities in which we operate, bringing a variety of backgrounds, talents, perspectives, and experiences.
For more information, please visit: https://www.morganstanley.com/people-opportunities/eeo.

What Morgan Stanley employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom