At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide practical legal advice on commercial, corporate, and operational matters.
- Company: Join a leading global consumer and hospitality organisation.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, exposure to senior stakeholders, and a collaborative team environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a dynamic international setting.
- Why this job: Be part of a new legal team and shape effective processes.
- Qualifications: Mid-level in-house counsel experience with strong contract negotiation skills.
Location: Chiswick, London
Working Pattern: Hybrid – 2–3 days onsite per week
Start Date: September 2026
Contract: Initial term through December 2026, with potential extension into January/February 2027
Elevate Legal Talent is partnering with a leading global consumer and hospitality organisation to appoint two Interim Commercial Lawyers to join a newly established interim legal team supporting the UK and wider EMEA business.
This is an excellent opportunity for a commercially minded in-house lawyer to work closely with the business, providing practical, day-to-day legal advice across a broad range of commercial, operational and corporate matters. You will be joining at an important point in the development of the legal function, working alongside senior legal leadership and contributing to a more structured and effective way of supporting the business.
The Role
As an Interim Commercial Lawyer, you will act as a trusted legal partner to a range of business and operational stakeholders. The role is broad and commercially focused, with an emphasis on practical business counselling, risk management and getting matters done rather than highly technical or complex transactional work.
Your work is expected to include:
- Providing day-to-day commercial, corporate and general legal advice
- Advising on licensing and franchise arrangements and renewals
- Supporting commercial and supply chain matters
- Advising on sourcing and procurement activities
- Supporting buy-side and sell-side agreements
- Providing legal support to physical operations and business teams
- Reviewing, negotiating and advising on a wide range of commercial agreements
- Identifying legal and commercial risks and providing pragmatic, solutions-focused advice
- Working closely with senior stakeholders, procurement, operations and other business functions
- Supporting the wider legal team with consistent processes, templates and ways of working
What We're Looking For
We are looking for lawyers who are commercial, pragmatic and confident working directly with the business. You will ideally have:
- Strong commercial, corporate or broad generalist legal experience
- Relevant post-qualification experience at a mid-level in-house counsel level
- Experience advising business stakeholders directly
- Strong contract review and negotiation skills
- A practical and commercial approach to legal risk
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
- The ability to manage multiple matters and competing priorities
- Experience working within an international or multi-jurisdictional organisation
- Experience in one or more of the following areas would be particularly relevant: Licensing, Franchising, Supply chain, Procurement / sourcing, Consumer or retail, FMCG, Hospitality, Physical operations, General commercial advisory
Why This Role?
You will become part of a new interim legal team supporting the business through a period of transition and development. Working alongside experienced legal professionals, you will have the opportunity to:
- Work directly with a major international consumer-facing business
- Become a trusted legal adviser to senior business stakeholders
- Gain broad exposure across commercial and operational matters
- Help shape practical processes and ways of working within the legal function
- Work as part of a collaborative legal team rather than operating as a standalone interim resource
This role would suit a lawyer who enjoys being close to the business, understanding commercial objectives and providing clear, pragmatic legal advice that enables the business to move forward. If you are an experienced commercial lawyer looking for an interesting interim opportunity within a high-profile global organisation, we'd be keen to hear from you. Apply now or contact Elevate Legal Talent for further information.
Interim Commercial Lawyer in City of London employer: Elevate Legal Talent
Elevate is an exceptional employer that champions flexibility and inclusivity, making it an ideal choice for experienced Patent Counsel seeking project-based work. With a strong commitment to employee growth and a diverse work culture, Elevate empowers its team members to thrive in a supportive environment while contributing to innovative legal solutions globally.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Interim Commercial Lawyer in City of 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 Elevate Legal Talent.
✨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 Elevate Legal Talent 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!
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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 Elevate Legal Talent.
We think you need these skills to ace Interim Commercial Lawyer in City of 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 Elevate Legal Talent and how you're motivated to contribute to their success during your limited time with them!
How to prepare for a job interview at Elevate Legal Talent
✨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 Interim Commercial Lawyer role at Elevate Legal Talent. 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 Elevate Legal Talent.
