Legal Counsel

About the role

The Legal Counsel is an integral member of the Legal & Export Control Team, which is comprised of the Divisional Chief Counsel, one other Legal Counsel, the Head of Export Control and the Export Control Coordinators. The Legal Counsel will support the Divisional Chief Counsel in relation to the handling and resolution of all legal, contractual and compliance issues faced by the Division and may also be asked to support matters relating to the work of other Group companies within James Fisher & Sons plc. This role would suit a recently qualified solicitor with some post qualified experience in a commercial law environment.

Key Duties & Responsibilities:

• Provide legal and contractual support to the Division and its Product Lines
• Proactively support the Division Management to minimize any legal, contractual and compliance exposure for such Product Lines
• Review commercial contracts, draft contract exceptions and negotiate client contracts and supplier contracts
• Provide advice in relation to the protection and management of intellectual property
• Support the Divisional sales teams through the preparation of agency, teaming and reseller agreements
• Support management of litigations, disputes, claims and supervising outside counsel
• Provide guidance and assistance to ensure all operations and business activities are carried out in compliance with local laws and regulations
• Actively participate to the implementation and monitoring of JFS Compliance Program including implementation and training of JFS Corporate Policies, Standards and Procedures
• Participate to the deployment and implementation of the Group Legal Department strategic initiatives and provide support to the Group Company Secretary Department.

What do you need?

We require an individual who possesses the ability to provide commercially focused and pragmatic legal advice against a backdrop of various business stakeholder challenges. You must be a robust decision maker with strong communication skills. Must be able to communicate confidently with internal and external stakeholders, especially with regard to relaying complex legal advice and ensuring compliance with mandatory requirements. You must be able to demonstrate a positive track record delivering commercially focused legal advice in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.

Skills & Experience:

• A Qualified lawyer (Scotland or England / Wales preferred).
• Sound knowledge of and practical experience in contract and commercial law.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills both orally and written and capable of adapting legal advice to enable desired commercial outcomes.
• Adept at delivering to tight timescales, while managing multiple cases simultaneously.
• Self-starter, motivated and capable of operating outside comfort zone.
• Flexible and good team worker, assisting as part of wider group legal team where necessary.
• Confident in dealing directly and managing relationships with directors, senior managers, customers and suppliers.
• Ideally you will also have experience of contract and commercial in either an in-house or commercial private practice environment.
• Legal compliance and IP experience would also be desirable.

Working for us:

This is a permanent opportunity providing a great career opportunity with a FTSE250 company.

Benefits: We offer a number of benefits including Group Personal Pension Scheme, Life Assurance.