Senior Legal Counsel - Commercial Disputes

At Gallagher Re, we bring clarity to complexity by helping clients around the world make confident, data‑driven decisions in a rapidly evolving risk landscape. Here, you’ll be part of a team that leverages world‑class analytics and deep reinsurance expertise to deliver strategic advisory services and transactional excellence.

Are you a skilled legal professional with a passion for providing strategic guidance and resolving complex disputes? Gallagher, a global leader in insurance brokerage and risk management, is seeking a talented Senior Legal Counsel with High Court commercial litigation experience (gained in private practice or in‑house) to join our dynamic legal team. This is a unique opportunity to play a pivotal role in supporting our organic growth objectives by offering expert legal advice and strategic solutions in the realm of employee competition litigation.

In this role you will provide support predominantly to our reinsurance business, Gallagher Re, and will act as a trusted senior partner to that division. Ideally this role would be based in London, but we will consider candidates based in alternative locations in the UK who have the ability to travel to our London office on an occasional basis.

How you’ll make an impact:

• Provide expert advice on the enforceability and scope of restrictive covenants.
• Offer legal and tactical guidance on breaches of restrictive covenants and employment contractual obligations.
• Draft cease and desist letters and pre‑action correspondence.
• Manage employee competition litigation and draft settlement and release agreements.
• Ensure robust restrictive covenant protection in share purchase agreements.
• Collaborate with HR to enhance processes and mitigate risks.
• Deliver training to HR and business units on risk mitigation strategies.
• Prepare insightful management reports for Gallagher’s Boards and senior managers.
• Engage with outside counsel as needed, ensuring cost‑effectiveness.
• Provide accurate and practical legal advice reflecting English law and other legal systems across EMEA.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with Gallagher’s businesses and senior management.
• Work in a supportive team but under limited supervision, escalating or briefing matters to senior lawyers and delegating where appropriate.

About You:

• Qualified solicitor with sound technical knowledge and experience of High Court (England & Wales) litigation and dispute resolution.
• Highly experienced in commercial litigation, either in private practice and/or as a lawyer working in house.
• Experience of dealing with litigation and/or pre‑action correspondence relating to restrictive covenants and team move disputes.
• Knowledge of the insurance broking industry and employment law is helpful but not essential.
• Ability to develop strong working relationships and inspire the trust of senior stakeholders.
• Right to work in the UK.

Compensation and benefits:

• Minimum of 25 days holiday, plus bank holidays, and the option to ‘buy’ extra days.
• Defined contribution pension scheme, which Gallagher will also contribute to.
• Life insurance, which will pay 4x your basic annual salary, which you can top‑up to 10x.
• Income protection, we’ll cover up to 50% of your annual income, with options to top up.
• Health cash plan or Private medical insurance.
• Three fully paid volunteering days per year.
• Employee Stock Purchase plan, offering company shares at a discount.
• Share incentive plan, HMRC approved, tax effective, stock purchase plan.
• Critical illness cover.
• Discounted gym membership, with over 3,000 gyms nationally.
• Season ticket loan.
• Access to a discounted voucher portal to save money on your weekly shop or next big purchase.
• Emergency back‑up family care.
• And many more…

We value inclusion and diversity. Inclusion and diversity (I&D) is a core part of our business, and it’s embedded into the fabric of our organisation. For more than 95 years, Gallagher has led with a commitment to sustainability and to support the communities where we live and work. Gallagher embraces our employees’ diverse identities, experiences and talents, allowing us to better serve our clients and communities.

Gallagher is Disability Confident Committed. We have pledged to make sure our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible, in addition to supporting our existing employees with any long‑term health conditions or disabilities. We understand that applicants may have disabilities; if you do, you may find some parts of the recruitment process more challenging than others. Don’t worry, we’re here to help, however, we can only do this if you let us know.