In-House Legal Counsel

Join to apply for the In-House Legal Counsel role at Grant Thornton UK.

At Grant Thornton we do things differently – looking to the future, driving ambitious growth and pioneering positive change in our industry. We provide audit, tax and advisory services, empowering clients through strategic insight, curiosity, and genuine partnership. We also empower our people with real opportunity, an inclusive culture and work‑life balance. With over 5,000 people in the UK and a presence in 150 global markets, we are on an ambitious journey, from great to exceptional, and we need the best people to help us achieve our potential.

Job Description

Senior Solicitor – In‑house legal department – Contentious work

Flexible on any Grant Thornton location; hybrid working available.

Role Overview

As a lawyer specialising in disputes, you will handle a wide range of claims, issues and projects, including:

• Handling professional liability claims against the firm, including litigation, mediation and other dispute‑resolution methods, and instructing and managing outside solicitors, counsel and independent experts where appropriate.
• Identifying, assessing and mitigating legal, ethical and reputational risks, providing legal input into risk issues arising from live engagements, and ensuring decisions align with the organisation’s risk approach.
• Dealing with regulatory issues, including enquiries and investigations.
• Working closely with colleagues in our in‑house legal team to deliver solution‑focused and commercially pragmatic advice to Grant Thornton’s people, including partners and other senior stakeholders.
• Assisting teams in understanding the legal implications of their activities and empowering them to manage risks effectively.

Qualifications & Experience

We invite applications from mid‑level or senior associates at commercial law firms, and from all candidates who have the experience and skills for the role. Minimum criteria include:

• Qualified solicitor or barrister with substantial experience of commercial dispute resolution in England and Wales or another common‑law jurisdiction.
• Good understanding of the law and procedure as they relate to professional liability.
• Integrity and independence, able to deliver difficult messages clearly and sensitively.
• Strong ethical judgment and commitment to upholding professional standards.
• Understanding of the risk‑management issues that professional services firms face.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present complex legal concepts clearly to non‑legal colleagues.
• Strong commercial acumen, a solution‑oriented approach, and the ability to identify improvements to achieve better outcomes.
• Excellent organisational and time‑management skills, with the ability to prioritise competing demands.
• Ability to work in multidisciplinary teams, both autonomously and collaboratively.
• Ability to build good relationships and gain the confidence of colleagues.

Why Join Grant Thornton

We embrace uniqueness and thrive on the contributions of all our people. We never settle for what is easy; we look beyond to deliver the right thing for everyone. Building an inclusive culture, we value difference and respect our colleagues, helping our people perform at their best and realise their potential.

Our open and accessible culture means you’ll interact with leaders who are interested in you and everything you bring to our firm. We value the things that set you apart and give you the freedom to bring your whole self to work and pursue your passions inside and outside of work.

Beyond the Job

Life is more than work. We are happy to look at flexible working options for all roles, and we’ll always do our best to keep your work and life in balance. The impact you can make goes far beyond your day job, from secondments to fundraising for local charities, or investing in entrepreneurs in the developing world. It’s about doing the right thing, grounded in our CLEARR values – Collaboration, Leadership, Excellence, Agility, Respect and Responsibility.

We’re looking for people who want to contribute, spark fresh ideas and go beyond expectations, proudly doing what’s right for the firm, our clients, our people and themselves.