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Anyone?
Use a search engine like Indeed to search for job postings that mention both JD and CFA in the job description.
Apply to the jobs that appeal to you.
Sometimes startup companies like hedge funds want people with JDs to help in their business formation.
Distressed company analysis seems like the main non-compliance opportunity, because to be good at that requires a very good understanding of the bankruptcy code and how it works in practice.
I think the idea of looking at Indeed for mentions of CFA and JD qualifications is a good one.
You would be an asset in M&A, which requires the writing and interpretation of many legal-type documents (e.g., letters of intent, asset purchase agreements, operating agreements) and financial due diligence.
I do business valuations and provide expert witness testimony on economic damages. I’ve always thought an attorney with a CFA charter could make a LOT of money. I’ve observed many litigators are great at litigating but their weakness is always understanding finance and the economics of financial opinions. If you decided to pass the bar and become a CFA charterholder you would crush.
^Respect.
^Respect.
Having a legal background would be an asset working with structured securities - figuring out who has the legal right to cash flows.
You need to think about your “story” and how it fits together with what sort of job you’re trying to pursue. Did you summer in BIGLAW? Do you have experience in bankruptcy? If not, I think it’s going to be challenging to try to land a role as a distressed analyst.
T-20 can be pretty solid. I would find law alumni or even alumni from the business school, try to network with them, and see where that goes. While I can respect the amount of work it takes, the JD / CFA combo is a bit of a weired one but with the right story you can definitely make it work.
The guy I sit next to did Eco at Cambridge, did his LPC and then worked at a magic circle firm for a year before moving into a transaction managmenet role doing docs etc at my Bank. He started his CFA the same time as me and we’re waiting for our results.
He’s just moved into a temp role being paid £500 a day working through interest hedging scandal that engulfed RBS, (incidentally I decline the offer).
He’s quite confused about his career too, but does see himself in PE at some point. He told me he’s saving for his MBA at LBSF…
I’ve seen JDs work with with distressed investments and research, like bchad said. Their background was generally practicing bankruptcy law however. I’m not sure the CFA alone would make up for lack of experience.
Another option is working investment portfolios for Insurance companies. The regulations etc would cater to your background.
Agreed. Do you know anything about bankruptcy? If you do, then this might be the best place.
There was another guy on here a few months ago who was in the same situations–was a lawyer (with several years of experience), but wanted to transition to finance via the CFA exam. Let’s see if we can dig up the thread…