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Derivatives Attorney Jobs (NOW HIRING)

This role is ideal for a lawyer with experience in derivatives, exchange and clearing regulation, or financial market structure who is interested in working at the forefront of event contracts and ...

Staff Attorney

San Diego, CA · On-site

$95K/yr

We are seeking a dedicated and driven Staff Attorney to focus on document review and related ... The document review will consist primarily of review on complex shareholder derivative actions. Key ...

Staff Attorney

San Diego, CA · On-site

$95K/yr

We are seeking a dedicated and driven Staff Attorney to focus on document review and related ... The document review will consist primarily of review on complex shareholder derivative actions. Key ...

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Derivatives Attorney information

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$40.5K

$98.3K

$192K

How much do derivatives attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for derivatives attorney in the United States is $98,330.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $65,500.00 and $120,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some typical daily responsibilities of a Derivatives Attorney?

As a Derivatives Attorney, your typical day may involve drafting and negotiating complex derivatives contracts, advising clients or internal teams on regulatory developments, and reviewing transaction documentation for compliance. You will often work closely with trading desks, risk management professionals, and compliance teams to ensure that all transactions meet legal and regulatory standards. Additionally, responding to regulatory inquiries and keeping clients updated on shifts in market practices are common parts of the role. This collaborative, fast-paced environment requires keen attention to detail and an ongoing commitment to staying current with industry trends.

What does a Derivatives Attorney do?

A Derivatives Attorney specializes in legal matters related to derivative financial instruments, such as futures, options, swaps, and other complex financial contracts. They assist clients with regulatory compliance, contract negotiation, risk management, and dispute resolution. Their expertise is crucial in navigating financial regulations, such as those set by the SEC, CFTC, and international regulatory bodies. They often work with financial institutions, investment firms, and corporations to ensure compliance with evolving laws and mitigate legal risks in derivatives trading.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Derivatives Attorney position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Derivatives Attorney, you need deep expertise in contract law, derivatives regulations (such as Dodd-Frank or EMIR), and strong analytical skills, typically supported by a Juris Doctor (JD) degree and bar admission. Proficiency with legal research tools like Westlaw or LexisNexis, and familiarity with trading systems and documentation platforms (e.g., ISDA protocols) is essential. Excellent negotiation, attention to detail, and clear communication skills help you advise clients and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders. These abilities ensure accurate, compliant, and effective management of complex financial transactions in a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape.

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Associate - Corporate - Derivatives

Latham And Watkins

New York, NY • On-site

Other

Posted 27 days ago


Job description

About Latham & Watkins
Latham & Watkins is one of the world's leading global law firms advising the businesses and institutions that drive the global economy. We are the market leaders in major financial and business centers globally and offer unmatched expertise and resources to help you grow from an intellectually curious self-starter into an exceptional lawyer. If you aspire to be the best, this is where you belong.
About the Practice Group
Latham helps sophisticated market participants achieve their business objectives through careful and commercially focused attention to structuring, documenting, and negotiating the full range of derivative, strategic equity, and structured product transactions.
We bring vast experience advising on transactions involving traditional assets, such as interest rates, currencies, commodities, securities, and credit, as well as innovative and complex structured products and asset classes, such as crypto, ESG, private equity, weather, longevity, and real estate. Whether clients are looking to hedge, invest, manage their balance sheet, monetize, or arbitrage, we bring an experienced and strategic perspective.
Latham advises investment banks, family offices, public and private companies, and sovereign wealth funds to execute the most sophisticated and complex transactions. Our experience spans the full lifecycle of a transaction, from structuring and legal risk assessment, to negotiation, ongoing legal risk management, restructurings and defaults. Our global team has close working relationships with regulators in key markets, and represents clients facing complex investigations, enforcement, and private litigation involving derivatives and structured products.
We work seamlessly across disciplines, leveraging the firm's global platform to deliver incisive counsel to clients on the full breadth of transactional, regulatory, enforcement, and risk management aspects of strategic transactions across all key global financial markets.
About the Role
The Financial Regulatory and Derivatives practice groups of the NY office is seeking a highly qualified mid-level associate with a minimum of 3 years of experience covering a mix of transactional commodities, futures and derivatives matters to join our 3rd to 6th year associate class. Working with investment managers, financial institutions and emerging companies, the group covers a dynamic mix of Dodd-Frank, CFTC and SEC regulations coupled with derivatives transactions involving commodities, IRS, FX, and credit derivatives, futures, and FinTech and crypto trading. Candidates with expertise in transactional matters who are looking to expand their skill set are encouraged to apply.
Main Contact Details
If you have any questions about the application, please contact:
Lateral Recruiting - Corporate
LateralRecruiting.Corporate@LW.com
Additional Information
Investing in the well-being of our lawyers and staff is among the firm's highest priorities. Through our "LiveWell Latham" program, we offer best-in-class benefits and comprehensive resources designed to support you and your loved ones through all life's moments - from building a family and taking care of loved ones, to managing your health and saving for the future.
Latham & Watkins is an equal opportunity employer. The Firm prohibits discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race (including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status (including veterans of the Vietnam era), gender expression, marital status, or any other characteristic or condition protected by applicable statute.
We periodically provide demographic data to legal publications, bar associations, civic and community organizations, and in some instances, to local, state, and federal government agencies as required by law or contract. So that the firm can provide this information accurately, we request that you consider self-identifying.
Please click here to review your rights under U.S. employment laws. In accordance with Latham & Watkins policies, associates in this role must protect and maintain any highly sensitive, confidential, privileged, financial and/or proprietary information that Latham & Watkins retains either as part of the legal services the Firm provides to clients or for internal purposes.
Los Angeles: Latham & Watkins LLP will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance (FCIHO). Please click the link above to review the Ordinance.
San Francisco: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Please click the link above to review the Ordinance.
Massachusetts: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. An employer that violates this law may be subject to fines and/or a private right of action for $500 in statutory damages "for each such violation," among other things.
Pay Range
Associate Base Salary
Discretionary bonuses may be available depending on application circumstances and position.
Class ofUS Payroll2026$225,0002025$225,0002024$235,0002023$260,0002022$310,0002021$365,0002020$390,0002019
$420,000
2018$435,000