Principal Legal Counsel
Principal Legal Counsel

Principal Legal Counsel

Full-Time 72000 - 108000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead legal strategy for Autonomous Vehicle deployment across the UK and EU.
  • Company: Join Freenow, a dynamic European taxi app transforming urban mobility.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, health insurance, and unique perks like sabbaticals.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in the fast-paced world of tech and mobility law.
  • Qualifications: UK-qualified Lawyer with 7+ years in international tech/mobility environments.
  • Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values growth and inclusion.

The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.

Location: Come and join us in London. At Freenow, we empower smarter mobility decisions, helping people move freely and cities to thrive. We’re now hiring a Principal Legal Counsel to lead the Freenow by Lyft legal framework for Autonomous Vehicle (AV) integration across the UK and EU. This high-impact role requires you to spearhead the mitigation of high-stakes regulatory risks, delivering specialized counsel essential for the safe, compliant, and commercially viable deployment of AV technologies within the dynamic urban mobility ecosystem. Be ready to work in a multinational, diverse, highly motivated and collaborative team who strives for excellence and likes to have fun. Are you ready for your next ride?

YOUR DAILY ADVENTURES WILL INCLUDE:

  • Define and lead the legal strategy for AV deployment across the UK and EU, proactively interpreting emerging regulatory frameworks to ensure the business remains ahead of legislative shifts.
  • Coordinates and runs legal initiatives across several jurisdictions and implements regional legal strategy.
  • Design and implement comprehensive liability frameworks and insurance-sharing models to address the shift from human-driver liability to automated system responsibility, protecting the company from unprecedented operational risks.
  • Manages outside counsel to ensure that the law firms provide accurate and commercially sensible legal advice on time.
  • Communicates with authorities, courts and other external parties and solves legal issues.
  • Lead the negotiation and legal structuring of high‑value partnerships with AV hardware and software providers, OEMs, software developers, and national, regional and local authorities to ensure regulatory compliance and favorable commercial terms.
  • Archives all communication relevant to legal matters to ensure complete and up‑to‑date documentation in all legal matters.

TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THIS ROLE:

  • UK/English‑qualified Lawyer with 7+ years of experience, ideally gained in international environments and in the technology/mobility industry.
  • Proven track record of delivering pragmatic regulatory and commercial legal advice in fast‑paced, international environments.
  • Desired experience on emerging regulatory frameworks.
  • Strong communicator with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and translate legal complexity into actionable guidance.
  • Highly diligent, proactive, and self‑motivated, with the ability to manage day‑to‑day legal functions independently.
  • Fluent in English.

BENEFITS & PERKS IN A NUTSHELL:

  • Flexible working arrangements
  • LinkedIn Learning
  • Sabbatical & special leave policies
  • WeRoad partnership
  • Birthday, 24th + 31st December off
  • Short term EU work policy
  • Mobility Credit
  • Health Insurance
  • Employee assistance program
  • Plus more local benefits depending on your work location!

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION:

Freenow is an equal opportunity employer and we consider qualified applicants regardless of race, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability or age. We want you to grow and evolve, bring your true self to work.

ABOUT FREENOW:

We are Freenow, the European taxi app with the broadest multi‑mobility offering, available in 9 markets and over 180 cities. Our app gives millions of passengers the freedom to move with a wide choice of services including taxis, private hire vehicles, carsharing, car rental, e‑scooters, e‑bikes, e‑mopeds and public transport. Headquartered in Hamburg and led by our CEO Thomas Zimmermann, we are on a mission to make urban mobility more efficient, sustainable and inclusive. Since July 2025 we have been part of Lyft, a global mobility platform connecting riders and drivers for billions of rides across North America and Europe. Together we are building a more caring and connected world, creating new opportunities for innovation, growth and impact.

Principal Legal Counsel employer: FREE NOW

At Freenow, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture in the heart of London that champions diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our employees enjoy flexible working arrangements, comprehensive health benefits, and unique perks like sabbaticals and mobility credits, all while contributing to groundbreaking advancements in urban mobility. Join our dynamic team where your legal expertise will not only shape the future of autonomous vehicle integration but also foster personal and professional growth in a supportive environment.
FREE NOW

Contact Detail:

FREE NOW Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Principal Legal Counsel

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the legal and mobility sectors. Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy to reach out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!

✨Tip Number 2

Show off your expertise! Prepare a portfolio or a presentation that highlights your experience with regulatory frameworks and AV technologies. When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, use this to demonstrate how you can add value to their team.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Whether it’s for an interview or a casual chat, being able to clearly articulate your experience and how it aligns with the role is key. Keep it concise but impactful – think of it as your personal elevator pitch!

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! We love seeing applications come directly from candidates who are genuinely interested in joining us at Freenow. Plus, it gives you a better chance to stand out in the crowd!

We think you need these skills to ace Principal Legal Counsel

Legal Strategy Development
Regulatory Compliance
Contract Negotiation
Liability Framework Design
Insurance Models Implementation
Stakeholder Communication
Project Management
International Law
Commercial Legal Advice
Risk Mitigation
Legal Documentation Management
Influencing Skills
Proactive Problem Solving
Self-Motivation

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Principal Legal Counsel role. Highlight your experience in regulatory frameworks and the technology/mobility industry, as this will show us you understand what we're looking for.

Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since this role involves influencing senior stakeholders, it's crucial to demonstrate your strong communication skills. Use clear and concise language in your application to reflect how you can translate complex legal matters into actionable advice.

Highlight Relevant Experience: We want to see your proven track record in delivering pragmatic legal advice in fast-paced environments. Be sure to include specific examples of your past work that align with the responsibilities of the role, especially around AV technologies.

Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to submit your application through our website! This ensures we receive all your details correctly and helps us keep track of your application in our system. We can't wait to hear from you!

How to prepare for a job interview at FREE NOW

✨Know Your Regulatory Stuff

Make sure you brush up on the latest regulatory frameworks related to Autonomous Vehicles in the UK and EU. Being able to discuss these in detail will show that you're not just familiar with the law, but that you can proactively interpret and apply it to Freenow's needs.

✨Showcase Your Experience

Prepare specific examples from your past roles where you've successfully navigated complex legal challenges, especially in fast-paced environments. Highlighting your experience in managing outside counsel and negotiating high-value partnerships will demonstrate your capability for this high-impact role.

✨Communicate Clearly

Practice translating complex legal jargon into straightforward language. The ability to influence senior stakeholders is crucial, so be ready to explain how your legal strategies can directly benefit the business in a way that's easy to understand.

✨Be Proactive and Diligent

During the interview, convey your proactive approach to legal functions. Discuss how you manage day-to-day operations independently and ensure that all legal matters are documented thoroughly. This will reflect your diligence and self-motivation, qualities that Freenow values highly.

Principal Legal Counsel
FREE NOW
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