At a Glance
- Tasks: Negotiate tech contracts and build AI-enabled legal solutions for a dynamic fintech.
- Company: Join Codat, a cutting-edge advisory intelligence solution backed by industry giants.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, hybrid work, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with a focus on innovation and career development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the fintech space while shaping the future of legal services.
- Qualifications: Qualified solicitor with 4+ years' experience in SaaS agreements and commercial strategy.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
About Codat
Codat is an advisory intelligence solution purpose‑built for modern commercial banking. Through rich, specialized data, forward‑looking insights, and integrated workflows, Codat empowers banking teams to deepen their relationships, grow their revenue, and simplify their day‑to‑day work. Founded in 2017 and backed by JPMorgan, PayPal, Amex, Plaid, and Shopify, Codat has successfully powered over 350,000 connections to business customers’ financial systems and is trusted by industry leaders to turn scattered information into actionable, strategic advantages in real time, every time.
The Role
We’re hiring a Senior Legal Counsel on a 14‑month fixed‑term contract. This is a hands‑on, commercially focussed role at the heart of how Codat does business. You’ll lead technology contract negotiations with our UK, US and Canadian financial institution clients—leading redlines, protecting deal velocity and acting as a trusted GTM partner. Alongside commercial work, you will continue building out our AI‑enabled legal infrastructure to transform how legal services are delivered at Codat.
Responsibilities
- Commercial contracting and ownership: draft, review and negotiate SaaS agreements with financial institution clients across the UK, US and Canada.
- GTM partnership: embed with the Sales and Account Management team—join customer calls, work to quarter‑end timelines, and help Account Executives and Account Managers close deals at pace.
- AI enablement: create, implement and manage AI solutions that scale the legal function and enable the business to self‑serve routine requests.
- Product and partnership advice: advise Product, Engineering and GTM on new products, features and partnerships—translating legal considerations into market‑ready outcomes.
- BAU legal and compliance: handle day‑to‑day legal queries across a range of topics (such as data protection and employment), in a practical, business‑aligned way.
What you’ll bring to the team
- Qualified solicitor (or equivalent) with at least 4 years’ PQE, gained in private practice or in‑house.
- Demonstrable hands‑on experience negotiating enterprise SaaS terms/API agreements.
- Commercial instinct: you have worked in a sales‑led environment, understand the pipeline and are comfortable advising on commercial strategy, not just legal risk.
- AI‑native: you have designed, built and iterated on AI solutions (agents, automated review tools, intake systems) that allow the business to self‑serve on routine work.
- Strong knowledge of data protection principles as they apply to a B2B SaaS context.
- Comfortable working autonomously at pace with minimal supervision.
- You are a clear, concise drafter who communicates in plain English and knows how to right‑size advice.
Nice to haves
- Experience advising on cross‑border commercial contracts across the UK, US and Canada.
- Experience negotiating contracts with banks or regulated financial institutions—understanding their legal and procurement functions, risk frameworks, and how to reach agreement efficiently.
- Familiarity with the legal and regulatory considerations that come with serving regulated financial institution clients.
- In‑house experience at a tech or fintech start‑up or scale‑up—comfortable with ambiguity, iterating quickly and building processes where none exist.
Location: London
Employment Type: Full time
Location Type: Hybrid
Department: Legal
Legal Counsel - Maternity Cover in London employer: Codat
Codat is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and innovative work culture, particularly for those in the Legal Counsel role. With a strong focus on employee growth, Codat offers opportunities to engage directly with leading financial institutions while leveraging cutting-edge AI solutions to enhance legal processes. Located in London, the company provides a hybrid working environment that promotes flexibility and collaboration, making it an ideal place for professionals seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Legal Counsel - Maternity Cover in London
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend legal tech events, webinars, or even local meetups. The more you engage with others, the better your chances of hearing about opportunities that might not be advertised.
✨Show Off Your Skills
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, don’t hold back! Share specific examples of how you've successfully negotiated contracts or implemented AI solutions in your previous roles. This will help them see you as the perfect fit for their team.
✨Tailor Your Approach
Every company is different, so make sure you tailor your conversations to reflect Codat's values and needs. Research their recent projects or challenges and come prepared with ideas on how you can contribute to their success.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining our team at Codat.
We think you need these skills to ace Legal Counsel - Maternity Cover in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Senior Legal Counsel. Highlight your experience with SaaS agreements and any relevant AI solutions you've worked on. We want to see how your skills align with what we do at Codat!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your commercial contracting experience and how you’ve successfully navigated negotiations in the past.
Showcase Your Commercial Instinct:In your application, don’t forget to demonstrate your understanding of the sales-led environment. Talk about how you've advised on commercial strategy and how that has positively impacted your previous roles. We love candidates who think beyond just legal risks!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Codat
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of SaaS agreements and the specific legal considerations for financial institutions. Familiarise yourself with Codat's business model and how it integrates AI into its legal processes. This will show that you're not just a qualified solicitor, but someone who understands the unique challenges and opportunities in this role.
✨Show Your Commercial Instinct
Prepare to discuss how you've successfully navigated commercial negotiations in the past. Think about examples where you've balanced legal risk with business needs, especially in a sales-led environment. Being able to articulate your commercial instinct will demonstrate that you can be a trusted partner to the Sales and Account Management teams.
✨Be Ready to Discuss AI Solutions
Since the role involves building out AI-enabled legal infrastructure, come prepared with examples of AI solutions you've designed or implemented. Talk about how these tools improved efficiency or transformed legal service delivery. This will highlight your innovative mindset and ability to leverage technology in a legal context.
✨Communicate Clearly and Concisely
Practice explaining complex legal concepts in plain English. During the interview, aim to communicate your thoughts clearly and concisely, as this is crucial for the role. You want to show that you can right-size advice and make it accessible to non-legal stakeholders, which is key in a fast-paced environment like Codat.
