At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape the legal function and manage diverse legal matters in a growing international business.
- Company: Dynamic international company in London seeking its first standalone Legal Counsel.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, opportunity for autonomy, and influence on business direction.
- Why this job: Be the go-to legal expert and drive impactful decisions in a scaling organisation.
- Qualifications: 5+ years post-qualification experience and strong stakeholder management skills.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team with excellent career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
Ready to take a meaningful step into a truly influential in‑house role? A growing international business in London is looking for its first standalone Legal Counsel. This is an opportunity to shape an entire legal function and become a trusted adviser at the heart of a scaling organisation. If you’re confident managing stakeholders and enjoy working across a broad range of legal matters, this could be an exceptional next move.
As their first in‑house lawyer, you’ll be the go‑to legal contact across the organisation, partnering closely with an engaged board and senior leadership. You’ll have the autonomy to build internal processes, reduce reliance on external counsel, and guide the business as it evolves across multiple international markets.
What will this Legal Counsel job involve? You’ll step into a dynamic environment with exposure to a varied and impactful workload, including:
- Drafting and negotiating commercial contracts
- Supporting employment matters as the team grows
- Advising on property and facilities work tied to global expansion
- Managing international queries spanning the UK, US, Singapore, and Spain
- Helping shape how the business approaches legal risk, governance, and internal frameworks
With frequent interaction with US‑based stakeholders, an understanding of the US commercial or legal landscape would be highly advantageous.
To excel in this Legal Counsel role, you will ideally bring:
- At least 5 years of post‑qualification experience
- Experience working across a broad commercial portfolio
- Confidence in influencing senior stakeholders and working autonomously
- The ability to juggle a varied workload
- Strong communication skills and a solutions‑focused mindset
The working environment: You’ll be joining an innovative, globally minded organisation that values partnership, collaboration, and clarity. This is a rare chance to step into a newly created role, shape how legal integrates across the business, and have your work directly influence its international growth.
Location: Chiswick, London (on‑site presence required, with scope for 1 day wfh)
If you’re someone who thrives in an autonomous environment, enjoys variety, and wants to genuinely influence how a legal function grows, we encourage you to get in touch.
Sole Legal Counsel (London) employer: Harvey John
Contact Detail:
Harvey John Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Sole Legal Counsel (London)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to connections in the legal field, especially those who have experience in in-house roles. A friendly chat can lead to valuable insights and even job referrals.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company’s legal challenges and thinking about how you can address them. Show them you’re not just a lawyer, but a strategic partner ready to shape their legal function.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, send a quick thank-you note expressing your enthusiasm for the role. It keeps you on their radar and shows your genuine interest.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of resources to help you stand out, and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge over other candidates. Let’s get you that dream job!
We think you need these skills to ace Sole Legal Counsel (London)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the role of Sole Legal Counsel. Highlight your post-qualification experience and any relevant commercial work to show us you’re the right fit.
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 the perfect candidate. Don’t forget to mention your ability to influence senior stakeholders!
Showcase Your Communication Skills: As a legal counsel, strong communication is key. In your application, demonstrate your ability to convey complex legal concepts clearly and concisely. We want to see how you can engage with various stakeholders.
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!
How to prepare for a job interview at Harvey John
✨Know Your Legal Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of commercial contracts, employment law, and international legal frameworks. Being able to discuss specific cases or examples from your experience will show that you're not just familiar with the theory but can apply it in practice.
✨Understand the Business
Research the company’s operations, especially their international presence. Knowing how legal issues impact their growth strategy will help you demonstrate your ability to be a trusted adviser and show that you’re genuinely interested in their business.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Management Questions
Since this role involves influencing senior stakeholders, think of examples where you've successfully managed relationships or navigated complex discussions. Be ready to explain your approach and how you ensure clarity and collaboration.
✨Show Your Solutions-Focused Mindset
Be prepared to discuss how you've tackled legal challenges in the past. Highlight your problem-solving skills and how you’ve contributed to reducing reliance on external counsel. This will illustrate your proactive approach and readiness to shape the legal function.