Junior Legal Counsel in Manchester

Location: Bolton (hybrid 2 days in the office, and 3 days working at home)

Contract: Permanent, 37.5 hours per week, Monday – Friday flexible between usual office hours

Salary: Competitive depending on qualification and experience level

Reporting to: Head of Legal

About the Role

We are looking for a Junior Legal Counsel to provide general legal support across the ExamWorks Group, including the management of legal risk and the provision of legal advice. This role includes supervising, line management and delegation to more junior members of the team to ensure quality and consistency of legal advice and support.

Key Responsibilities

• Commercial/Contracts
  • Maintaining the precedent contracts across the ExamWorks Group.
  • Working with Managing Directors and sales teams to draft and negotiate customer contracts for each of the ExamWorks Group businesses using agreed templates and working independently.
  • Reviewing customer contracts where the ExamWorks Group template is not being used and advising the business of any risks, making suggested amendments and assisting the business with negotiating the contract to conclusion and complying with customer contract requirements.
  • Reviewing, modifying and advising upon contracts and legal documents with suppliers / other third parties, particularly IT contracts.
  • Drafting non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) and adding to the NDA log.
• General Advice, Research and Training
  • Responding to ad-hoc queries from across the business by conducting research and providing advice.
  • Keeping abreast of legal updates and know-how by reviewing agreed sources. Keeping the business up to date in respect of legal and regulatory changes which may impact upon the business.
  • Identifying training needs and assisting the legal team in devising and delivering training as required by the business to increase the business’ understanding of and engagement with the management of legal risk.
  • Preparing briefing notes on topical legal matters of importance to the business.
  • Managing external counsel and suppliers.
• Disputes and Litigation
  • Advising the business on the strategic management of disputes, including close liaison with the credit control team to advise on approach and strategy in debt cases.
  • Drafting letters before action, payment plan agreements and Court forms using agreed templates.
  • Management of external counsel, where appointed, to represent the business in any litigation.
  • Advising on insolvency situations and seeking to put the business in the best possible position in order to maximise recovery.
• Regulatory
  • Working with the compliance team and supplier managers to support supplier management.
  • Working with the business to manage customer contractual requirements that fall outside of the business’ standard procedures.
  • Tracking and advising on changes to data protection legislation.
  • Researching and delivering guidance where relevant in respect of regulatory legislation, including the Bribery Act 2010, Modern Slavery Act 2015 and Criminal Finances Act 2017 for example.
  • Liaising with insurance brokers to ensure the different group activities are covered by appropriate insurance.
  • Assisting with any work required in relation to IR35 legislation.
• Corporate
  • Advising the business on corporate governance issues.
  • Undertaking work and advising the business on a range of corporate transactions.

Skills & Experience

• Experience with reviewing commercial contracts would be advantageous as the role is heavily weighted in this area.
• Between 0-3 years PQE in England & Wales either in-house or in private practice in commercial, corporate, commercial litigation or equivalent qualification/practising experience.
• Confident and approachable manner.
• Ability to articulate coherently and fluently to ensure legal issues are understood by those not legally trained.
• Strong inter-personal skills to ensure collaborative working at all levels.
• Attention to detail.
• Analytical problem solving.
• Ability to communicate effectively with key internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent time management and organisational skills.
• Ability to prioritise multiple tasks.
• Excellent written skills.

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor in England & Wales.
• Educated to degree level (preferably Legal degree).
• Legal Practice Course or other equivalent qualification.
• Completed Training Contract (or equivalent) at a large regional or national law firm.

Benefits Include

• 24 Days Annual Leave + Bank Holidays (increasing to 27 with length of service)
• Paid Appointments.
• Wellbeing Hour.
• Flu Vaccination Voucher.
• Fertility Support.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Menopause Counselling.
• Free Eye Tests.
• Free Parking.
• Hoot Savings and Loans.
• Discounted Pure Gym Membership.
• Mortgage Advice.
• Discounted Will Writing Service.
• UK Careline.
• Physio Discount.
• Salary Sacrifice Leased Cars.

Additional Schemes Include:

• Guaranteed Birthday Off.
• Buy/Sell Holiday Scheme.
• Refer-A-friend (£250 per referral after passing probation)
• Cyle to Work.
• Accident Referral.
• Volunteering.

We’re proud to share that ExamWorks UK has once again achieved Level 3 Disability Confident Leader status, reaffirming our commitment to inclusion and accessibility. As a Disability Confident Leader, we:

• Promote accessibility and inclusion.
• Ensure inclusive recruitment and development.
• Share best practice across the industry.
• Continue to lead the way in supporting disabled people at work.

Apply today and become a trusted legal partner within a dynamic, growth-focused organisation where your counsel makes a real difference.