At a Glance
- Tasks: Draft, review, and negotiate commercial contracts while advising internal teams.
- Company: Leading international law firm with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, hybrid working, and fantastic benefits.
- Why this job: Join a pivotal in-house role and influence the firm's strategic future.
- Qualifications: NQ to 2 PQE commercial lawyer with contract experience.
- Other info: Supportive team environment with excellent career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Leeds (with potential flexibility for Manchester) and Hybrid Working
Competitive Salary Plus Bonus and Fantastic Benefits
Haggerty Jaques is delighted to be instructed to recruit a commercial lawyer into the in-house global procurement legal team of this leading international law firm. This is a fantastic opportunity for a commercial lawyer to take on a pivotal role in an in-house team that sits at the heart of the firm’s operations.
A Strategic, Business-Facing Role
This position offers the chance to work on a broad range of commercial contracts that are vital to the day-to-day running and strategic future of the firm. You will be working closely with key stakeholders across the business, procurement colleagues, and leadership teams, with the ability to directly influence the firm’s contracting processes and supplier relationships.
Working in-house for an international law firm, you will have impressive resources and facilities on hand to make your day-to-day job easier, as well as specialist fee-earners to turn to and to help guide your advice.
What You’ll Be Doing
This is a true in-house role in which you will advise the business itself rather than the firm’s clients. You will:
- Draft, review and negotiate a wide variety of commercial contracts.
- Provide proactive legal support and advice to procurement and business teams on all contracts-related matters.
- Help drive improvements to contracting processes and legal operations.
- Stay abreast of relevant legal and regulatory developments, ensuring the firm’s contracts and processes remain robust and effective.
The team structure means that you will have more senior members to learn/take advice from, as well as junior support.
The Ideal Candidate
We are looking for a lawyer who has recently or is about to qualify as a solicitor (in or before Spring 2026 rather than September 2026) or has around a couple of years’ experience of working as a commercial solicitor. The team is particularly keen on lawyers who have trained in-house for all or part of their training contract and/or post-qualified experience. That said, we would still be very happy to hear from lawyers who have relevant experience from a strong private practice team.
We are looking for:
- Experience in drafting, negotiating and advising on a wide array of commercial contracts.
- Proven ability to provide pragmatic, solutions-focused advice to internal stakeholders in a fast-paced environment.
- Ideally some experience of data protection.
- Confidence in working autonomously, making informed decisions, and adding real value to business strategy and risk management.
Whilst Leeds is the main hub for the team, working from the Manchester office is an option for the right candidate, with relatively regular travel to Leeds. Hybrid working is in operation, with the team working from the office three days per week.
A Supportive, Forward-Looking Environment
This is an excellent opportunity to join a collegiate and supportive team in a business that is proud of its collaborative culture. You will have the latitude to build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders, and make an impact during a period of global growth.
In-House Commercial Lawyer NQ+ employer: Haggerty Jaques
Contact Detail:
Haggerty Jaques Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land In-House Commercial Lawyer NQ+
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to connections in the legal field, especially those who work in-house. Attend industry events or webinars to meet potential employers and get your name out there.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company’s recent projects and challenges. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in their operations and how you can contribute.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a commercial lawyer, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to negotiate contracts effectively. Role-play scenarios with friends or colleagues to build confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities that might just be the perfect fit for you. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people.
We think you need these skills to ace In-House Commercial Lawyer NQ+
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the job description. Highlight your experience in drafting and negotiating commercial contracts, as well as any in-house training you've had. We want to see how you can add value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're excited about this role and how your background makes you a great fit. Don’t forget to mention your ability to provide pragmatic advice and work autonomously – we love that!
Showcase Your Soft Skills: In addition to your legal expertise, we’re looking for someone who can build relationships and influence stakeholders. Make sure to include examples of how you've successfully collaborated with teams or driven improvements in past roles.
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. Plus, we love seeing applications come in through our own channels!
How to prepare for a job interview at Haggerty Jaques
✨Know Your Contracts
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of commercial contracts before the interview. Be ready to discuss specific types of contracts you've worked on, and how you've approached drafting and negotiating them. This will show that you understand the core responsibilities of the role.
✨Understand the Business
Research the company’s operations and its procurement processes. Understanding how the legal team fits into the broader business strategy will help you demonstrate your proactive approach and ability to provide solutions-focused advice during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully collaborated with internal stakeholders in the past. Highlight your ability to communicate complex legal concepts in a straightforward manner, as this is crucial for influencing contracting processes and supplier relationships.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and decision-making abilities. Think about potential challenges you might face in this role and how you would address them, especially in a fast-paced environment.