Legal Counsel

Job Title: Legal Counsel

Location(s): Berlin or London

About Springer Nature Group

Springer Nature opens the doors to discovery for researchers, educators, clinicians and other professionals. Every day, around the globe, our imprints, books, journals, platforms and technology solutions reach millions of people. For over 180 years our brands and imprints have been a trusted source of knowledge to these communities and today, more than ever, we see it as our responsibility to ensure that fundamental knowledge can be found, verified, understood and used by our communities – enabling them to improve outcomes, make progress, and benefit the generations that follow.

About the role:

An exciting opportunity for an individual seeking a junior position within the Legal Department of Springer Nature, a global publisher dedicated to providing the best possible service to the whole research, professional and education community. This role will support our Springer Nature Group across divisions including the Nature, Springer, BioMed Central portfolios by providing legal assistance and advice on a broad range of intellectual property, integrity and commercial as well as other publishing law matters.

Role responsibilities:

Legal Counsel is a key position within the General Counsel’s Office at Springer Nature. Your main responsibilities will involve:

1. Understanding key commercial and publishing priorities and providing clear, practical and robust advice which facilitates business needs whilst mitigating key risks and challenges.
2. Supporting senior lawyers in their dealing with research integrity cases such as in cases of papermills, and defamation claims.
3. Reviewing, drafting, negotiating and advising on a wide range of publishing and commercial contracts, including author and distribution agreements, sales contracts, vendor contracts, and other general commercial contracts.
4. Working directly with the business, providing objective analysis of risks related to commercial and consumer law, copyright and other intellectual property.
5. Identifying ways to enhance and support internal processes, policies and procedures to ensure compliance with applicable rules, regulations and laws.
6. Providing regular training to the business in a professional and accessible manner.
7. Working collaboratively with other members of the General Counsel’s Office to enhance the support provided by the legal team.
8. Communicating with and managing diverse target groups inside and outside the organization.

Key relationships:

1. In-house clients in the business and international departments.
2. Colleagues in the General Counsel’s Office and Group Compliance.
3. External advisers.
4. Building relationships as “trusted business advisors” to stakeholders and business partners.
5. Working with legal and business colleagues around the world to provide best-in-class legal support.

Experience, Skills & Qualifications:

Essential qualifications and experience:

1. A qualified lawyer/solicitor/barrister with a current practicing certificate, preferably a law degree from Germany or the UK plus further international copyright education or working experience.
2. A minimum of 2-4 years PQE.

Desirable:

1. In-house experience (including secondments). Experience in publishing/media.
2. Experience in advising on intellectual property matters especially copyright, integrity and licensing.

Skills:

1. A collaborative and accessible manner with the ability to communicate with diverse groups.
2. Good legal research, analysis and drafting skills coupled with commercial awareness.
3. Ability to manage multiple tasks and responsibilities simultaneously.
4. Excellent communication skills (verbal, written and presentation) with an open communication style.
5. Efficient and well-organised with good attention to detail.
6. Creativity and persistence in problem-solving.

At Springer Nature, we value the diversity of our teams and work to build an inclusive culture, where people are treated fairly and can bring their differences to work and thrive. If you have any access needs related to disability, neurodivergence or a chronic condition, please contact us so we can make all necessary accommodations.#J-18808-Ljbffr