At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead tech contract negotiations and build AI-enabled legal solutions.
- Company: Codat, a cutting-edge advisory intelligence solution for modern banking.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with a focus on innovation and collaboration.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team transforming legal services in the fintech space.
- Qualifications: Qualified solicitor with 4+ years' experience in SaaS agreements.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ 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 16-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 include:
- 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, you understand the pipeline and you 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 — you understand how their legal and procurement functions operate, the risk frameworks they work within, 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: you are comfortable with ambiguity, iterating quickly and building processes where none exist.
Senior Legal Counsel in London employer: Codat
Codat is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and innovative work culture, where employees are empowered to make impactful contributions in the rapidly evolving fintech landscape. With a strong focus on professional growth, Codat offers unique opportunities for legal professionals to engage directly with leading financial institutions while leveraging cutting-edge AI solutions to enhance legal processes. Located at the heart of commercial banking, Codat provides a collaborative environment that values autonomy and encourages team members to thrive in their roles.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Legal Counsel in London
✨Get Involved in Legal Networking Events
Jump into local or virtual legal networking events to meet industry pros and get your foot in the door! Use platforms like Eventbrite or Meetup to find gatherings, as these are great for making connections and hearing about temporary roles at firms like Codat.
✨Showcase Your Skills Online
Create a simple online portfolio to showcase your legal work, whether that's case briefs, research papers, or even blog posts on legal topics. This public display can really set you apart when looking for temp roles in law, especially if you can make it relevant to the work that Codat does!
✨Tap into Law School Resources
If you're near a law school, hit up their career services. They often have leads on temporary positions and can help connect you with alumni working at firms. Plus, they might host workshops or job fairs specific to the legal sector—great for scoring that temp position!
✨Stay Updated with Legal Job Boards
Regularly check specialised legal job boards like LawCareers.Net or TotallyLegal for temporary listings. Many firms post their openings directly there, and applying quickly can give you an edge over the competition when looking to join a prestigious firm like Codat.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Legal Counsel in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Legal Know-How:In the legal services world, it's all about demonstrating your understanding of relevant laws and regulations. Make sure your CV highlights your legal training, internships, or any relevant projects you've worked on. If you've done any mooting or legal research, include those too - they can really set you apart!
Tailor Your Application for the Temp Role:Since this is a temporary position, your application should stress your adaptability and readiness to jump in right away. Highlight any previous temp roles where you quickly got up to speed, or any diverse experiences that show you can handle a variety of cases or tasks with ease.
Keep it Specific with Your Documents:Make sure your application includes essential legal documents, such as any relevant certifications or memberships in legal bodies. These can add credibility to your CV and show that you're serious about the profession – especially useful in a competitive field like law!
Express Your Enthusiasm in the Cover Letter:Your cover letter is a golden opportunity to express your enthusiasm for the role and the organisation. Let them know why you’re excited about this temporary position with Codat and how you're motivated to contribute to their success during your limited time with them!
How to prepare for a job interview at Codat
✨Show Off Your Legal Know-How
Prepare to discuss your understanding of legal terminology and concepts that might come up during the interview for the Senior Legal Counsel role at Codat. Brush up on relevant laws or recent cases that could be pertinent to the temporary position, as they'll likely appreciate candidates who can think on their feet and adapt to the fast-paced legal environment.
✨Talk About Your Flexibility
Since this is a temporary role, employers want to know you can hit the ground running. Be ready to highlight past experiences where you've had to quickly adapt to new tasks or work cultures. Flexibility is key in a short-term position like this, so share specific examples that demonstrate your ability to manage changing priorities efficiently.
✨Prepare for the Casework Challenge
You might face hypothetical scenarios where you'd have to advise on a legal issue or case. Practice articulating your thought process clearly, as interviewers in the legal sector often expect candidates to walk them through their reasoning step-by-step. This will not only showcase your legal acumen but also demonstrate your communication skills, which are crucial in law.
✨Pitch Your Legal Portfolio
If you have any relevant work samples, such as briefs, contracts, or legal research, this is your chance to shine! Be ready to discuss what you did, what challenges you faced, and the outcomes. This speaks volumes more than just listing your skills; it shows you're proactive and results-oriented, which is essential for a temporary role at Codat.
