At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide expert legal guidance on funding partners involved in litigation and shape organisational policies.
- Company: Join FILE, a forward-thinking organisation committed to justice and equity in philanthropy.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, private healthcare, flexible remote work, and a supportive workplace culture.
- Other info: Embrace a diverse and inclusive environment with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by guiding strategic decisions that align with our mission for justice and inclusion.
- Qualifications: Qualified lawyer with litigation experience and strong strategic management skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.
Location: United Kingdom - Candidates can work remotely with occasional travel to the office
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full-Time or Part-Time Pro Rata (5 or 4 days per week)
The Role
FILE is seeking a Lead Lawyer to support our strategy and grants teams in assessing the opportunities and risks associated with funding partners that may be involved with litigation. You will provide expert legal guidance internally, help shape FILE’s policies and processes, and act as a trusted advisor to colleagues making decisions about funding partners that may be engaged in litigation, with consideration of justice, equity and inclusion in how risks and opportunities are assessed. While FILE is not – and you will not be – actively or directly involved in litigation, your strategic insights will ensure FILE’s grant‑making is responsible, effective, and aligned with our mission. You will also contribute to shaping FILE’s policies and processes in this area and act as a trusted advisor to colleagues across the organisation. In addition, you will engage with external partners to support broader sector understanding within philanthropy of funding partners that may be engaged in litigation. You will be supervised by the Regional Director (North America & Transnational Finance), however, your work will be global in scope and as such, you will have close working relationships with key colleagues across departments and geographies.
Key Responsibilities
- Providing clear, practical legal advice and strategic guidance to colleagues on opportunities, processes, and risks associated with funding partners engaged in litigation, including considering partners’ potential exposure to adverse costs and broader justice and equity implications
- Acting as a trusted sounding board to colleagues considering funding partners’ litigation‑related work, to enable high‑quality decision‑making on relevant grants
- Contributing to the effective design and implementation of FILE’s policies and processes for managing risks associated with funding partners that may be engaged in litigation
- Supporting colleagues to apply these policies consistently and confidently in practice
- Building internal capability through training and guidance about risk and opportunities related to funding partners that may be engaged in litigation
- Working collaboratively and inclusively with colleagues across departments who bring diverse perspectives and complementary expertise, including from FILE’s legal, strategy and grants functions
- Supporting the development of sector‑wide thinking within philanthropy about funding partners that may be engaged in litigation
About You
We know that long lists of criteria can be discouraging and that some candidates will not apply for a role unless they feel they meet all of the criteria. If you feel you meet at least some of the essential criteria, we still encourage you to apply. We also recognise that skills and experience can be gained in unexpected places, so we welcome applications from candidates who feel they have relevant skills for the role, gained from a wide range of professional, lived, and learned experiences.
- Qualified lawyer (current or past) with litigation experience
- Strong understanding of strategic management of litigation procedures in civil and/or common law jurisdictions (with a strong preference for experience with litigation in common law jurisdictions)
- Skilled in assessing and managing complex legal and strategic risks
- Ability to provide clear and practical legal and strategic advice to non‑legal audiences
- Strategic thinking, communication, and collaboration skills
- Demonstrated ability to apply justice, equity, diversity and inclusion principles in professional practice, including in decision‑making, advising, or stakeholder engagement
Benefits
FILE is committed to creating a workplace that supports our staff to do their best work and develop professionally. FILE offers a generous annual leave policy and additional time‑off work to support wellbeing. Amongst other benefits, FILE offers private healthcare, enhanced maternity, paternity and shared parental leave, enhanced sick leave, flexibility working remotely and also abroad and a matching contribution to a pension scheme.
Representation and Culture
FILE recognises the under‑representation of historically marginalized communities and individuals in climate, nature and philanthropy spaces. We are committed to developing an organization that represents the world we are looking to protect and building a culture that supports such. In doing so, FILE is committed to building policies and practices that ensure no current or prospective employee is discriminated based on disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership.
Lead Lawyer, Litigation in London employer: FILE
FILE is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional development, offering generous leave policies, private healthcare, and flexible working arrangements. With a strong commitment to justice, equity, and inclusion, FILE fosters a collaborative work culture where diverse perspectives are valued, making it an ideal place for legal professionals looking to make a meaningful impact in philanthropy and beyond.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Lawyer, Litigation in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal field and let them know you're on the hunt for a Lead Lawyer role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on opportunities or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by brushing up on your strategic thinking and collaboration skills. Think of examples from your past experiences where you've successfully navigated complex legal issues or worked with diverse teams. This will show you're the perfect fit for FILE's mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to showcase your understanding of justice, equity, and inclusion principles during your conversations. This is key for FILE, so be ready to discuss how you've applied these values in your previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Finally, apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our team at FILE. Let’s get you that Lead Lawyer position!
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Lawyer, Litigation in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Lead Lawyer. We want to see how your skills in litigation and strategic management can contribute to our mission at FILE.
Showcase Your Legal Expertise:Don’t hold back on sharing your legal knowledge! We’re looking for someone who can provide clear, practical advice. Use specific examples from your past experiences to demonstrate your ability to assess risks and opportunities effectively.
Emphasise Collaboration Skills:Since this role involves working closely with various teams, it’s important to highlight your collaboration skills. Share instances where you’ve worked inclusively with diverse groups to achieve common goals, as this is key to our culture at FILE.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates regarding the process. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at FILE
✨Know Your Legal Stuff
Brush up on your understanding of litigation procedures, especially in common law jurisdictions. Be ready to discuss how you can provide clear and practical legal advice to non-legal audiences, as this will be crucial for the role.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
Prepare examples that highlight your ability to assess and manage complex legal and strategic risks. Think about situations where you've had to make tough decisions and how you applied justice, equity, and inclusion principles in those scenarios.
✨Collaborate Like a Pro
Since the role involves working with diverse teams, come prepared to discuss your experience in collaborative environments. Share specific instances where you’ve successfully worked with colleagues from different departments to achieve a common goal.
✨Engage with External Partners
Think about how you can contribute to sector-wide thinking within philanthropy regarding funding partners engaged in litigation. Be ready to discuss your ideas on building relationships with external partners and how that can enhance FILE’s mission.
