Maliha Virk

Highly experienced legal counsel with 15+ years across leading international financial institutions, specialising in the negotiation and execution of complex commercial agreements, co-manufacturing partnerships, structured product distribution, and cross-border regulatory frameworks. Proven track record advising on multi-jurisdictional transactions across Europe and the GCC, including regulatory selling restrictions, licensing requirements.

Recognised for strong stakeholder management and negotiation skills — frequently leading strategic negotiations with global asset managers, insurance counterparties, private banks and distributors. Skilled in aligning legal, risk, product, trading and commercial teams to secure commercially favourable terms while protecting institutional risk.

Brings deep expertise in equity derivatives, structured notes, liquidity & margin mechanics, co-manufacturing agreements, and ESG / regulatory compliance (MiFID II, SFDR, BSW Code, Listing Act). Multilingual (English, German, Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi) and culturally adaptable, with a demonstrated ability to work seamlessly with Middle Eastern and European counterparties.

Now actively seeking a senior legal role in the Middle East — ideally within investment banking, asset management, private wealth or sovereign capital platform, in-house — where strong negotiation, structuring and cross-border legal expertise are critical to growth.

Senior Legal Counsel and Structured Products specialist with over 15 years’ experience advising global financial institutions on complex cross-border transactions, with a core focus on equity derivatives, structured notes, co-manufacturing agreements, and regulatory frameworks across EU, UK and DACH markets. Proven expertise in negotiating distribution, liquidity, collateral, and commercial agreements with major banks, insurers, and institutional counterparties. Deep technical knowledge of MiFID II, SFDR, BSW ESG Code, Prospectus Regulation, ISDA and structured product legal documentation, including bespoke product structuring and regulatory approvals. Experienced in managing multi-jurisdictional stakeholders across legal, sales, structuring, trading and automation teams, ensuring legally robust, commercially optimised outcomes. Multilingual and highly adaptable, now seeking to bring this international legal and negotiation expertise to a senior role within the Middle East financial sector.

Holds a law degree and a specialization Certificate in Banking and Capital Markets Law, complemented by foundation studies in Business Administration, covering core areas such as finance, accounting, corporate structures and economics.

Currently undertaking the Dubai Real Estate Broker Certification, gaining expert knowledge of UAE real estate law, RERA framework, licensing requirements and regulatory compliance for property transactions and investor advisory