Senior Corporate Counsel (Deal Acceleration) in London

Senior Corporate Counsel (Deal Acceleration) in London

London Full-Time 80000 - 100000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Palo Alto Networks

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Provide expert legal advice on complex commercial transactions and manage critical contract escalations.
  • Company: Join a fast-moving, collaborative legal team at Palo Alto Networks.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, diverse workplace, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Dynamic environment with a focus on collaboration and career advancement.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact by unlocking revenue and driving innovative legal solutions.
  • Qualifications: 5+ years of legal experience and expertise in data protection and AI transactions.

The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.

The Senior Corporate Counsel, Deal Acceleration will provide expert legal advice and assistance on a range of complex commercial transactions, serving as a dedicated escalation point for high-value, strategic deals. Based in EMEA, this position will expertly manage and resolve critical contract escalations dealing with security (InfoSec), trust, data protection, privacy, and artificial intelligence (AI) matters.

You will be part of a fast-moving, collaborative legal team that directly impacts all go-to-market aspects of the business. The Deal Acceleration Team is focused on unlocking revenue and unblocking complex negotiations to scale across the entire Palo Alto Networks platform. This position works closely with sales, commercial counsel, deals desk, revenue, finance, information security, and product teams, and is a critical resource for colleagues globally. Strong candidates are proactive, solutions-driven, and independent, with direct and leading experience in negotiating subscriptions, cloud services, data protection agreements (DPAs), security addenda, and AI frameworks. The Senior Corporate Counsel will report to the Senior Director of Legal - Product and Deal Acceleration.

Your Impact

  • Manage Commercial Escalations: Serve as the primary, expert escalation point for complex, high-value commercial transactions involving software, subscriptions, services, and cloud agreements, ensuring deals close efficiently while aligning with company risk tolerances.
  • Unblock Trust & Security Gatekeepers: Expertly negotiate and resolve sophisticated customer challenges surrounding enterprise security requirements, information security addenda, and customer trust frameworks.
  • Drive Privacy & Data Protection Deals: Review, draft, and conclude complex Data Protection Agreements (DPAs) and cross-border transfer mechanisms, successfully aligning customer demands with GDPR, CCPA/CPRA, and global data regimes.
  • Navigate AI Transactions: Advise on and negotiate contract provisions relating to current and upcoming legislation and customer requirements for artificial intelligence, automated decision-making, and algorithmic data usage.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner promptly and effectively with sales, operations, revenue, deals desk, and core privacy/product legal teams to recommend practical courses of action under tight deal timelines.
  • Enablement and Scalability: Assist in training sales enablement and commercial counsel on handling frontline security, trust, privacy, and AI objections, reducing escalation friction over time.
  • Process Optimization: Support the continuous improvement of standard form playbooks, fallback provisions, and legal escalation processes to accelerate deal velocity.

Your Experience

  • Credentials: Must be a lawyer qualified to practice law in at least one jurisdiction in EMEA with an active license in good standing.
  • Years of Experience: 5+ years of relevant legal experience with the ability to work both independently and with a team and show demonstrated success, including direct in-house experience.
  • Transaction Expertise: Significant experience advising internal clients on structuring sales, licensing, subscription, and commercial transactions under high pressure.
  • Domain Knowledge: Expert-level familiarity with data protection/privacy regimes (GDPR, CCPA), information security practices, data governance, and emerging commercial AI liabilities.
  • Execution Under Pressure: Excellent interpersonal skills, business judgment, strategic thinking, and superior work ethic, with the proven ability to manage numerous complex contract negotiations simultaneously under tight deadline and quarter-end pressure.
  • Collaboration Mindset: Highly dynamic, team-oriented, and able to confidently influence and align cross-functional stakeholders (Sales, InfoSec, Product) to drive revenue forward.
  • Industry Focus: Experience in cybersecurity or other high-technology sectors is preferred.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for all qualified individuals with a disability. If you require assistance or accommodation due to a disability or special need, please contact us at . Palo Alto Networks is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity in our workplace, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or other legally protected characteristics. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. Is role eligible for Immigration Sponsorship? No. Please note that we will not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position.

Senior Corporate Counsel (Deal Acceleration) in London employer: Palo Alto Networks

Palo Alto Networks is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and collaborative work environment where legal professionals can thrive. With a strong focus on employee growth, the company provides opportunities to engage in high-stakes negotiations and complex commercial transactions, all while fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion. Located in EMEA, employees benefit from a supportive team atmosphere that encourages innovation and professional development, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in the cybersecurity sector.

Palo Alto Networks

Contact Details:

Palo Alto Networks Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Corporate Counsel (Deal Acceleration) in London

Get Involved in Law Societies

Join local law societies and attend their events – they're often a goldmine for networking and job opportunities in the legal field. Plus, it’s a great way to meet other budding lawyers and experienced solicitors who could provide vital insights and connections.

Tap into Online Legal Communities

Don’t underestimate the power of online platforms like LinkedIn and specific legal forums. Get active in discussions or share your thoughts on recent legal developments – this not only builds your visibility but also showcases your passion and knowledge in law.

Attend Career Fairs and Workshops

Look out for career fairs and workshops specifically focused on law. Many law firms, including Palo Alto Networks, will be scouting for fresh talent, so bring your A-game and don’t shy away from making a memorable impression.

Leverage Your University’s Career Services

If you’re still in university or have recently graduated, latch onto your career services! They often have connections with law firms looking for graduates and can guide you through the application process tailored for the legal sector.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Corporate Counsel (Deal Acceleration) in London

Legal Expertise
Contract Negotiation
Data Protection Agreements (DPAs)
GDPR Compliance
CCPA/CPRA Knowledge
Information Security Practices
Artificial Intelligence Legislation

Some tips for your application 🫡

Highlight Your Legal Knowledge:When applying for a full-time role in legal services at Palo Alto Networks, make sure to demonstrate your understanding of key legal principles and areas of law relevant to the position. Include any specific coursework, modules, or certifications, like LPC or BPTC qualifications, that showcase your legal expertise directly on your CV.

Showcase Your Research Skills:In the legal field, strong research skills are crucial. Use your application to illustrate how you've utilised these skills in past studies or work experiences – whether that's through past internships or significant projects. Mention any legal databases or tools you’re proficient in, as this can give you an edge.

Tailor That Cover Letter!:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Make it personal by expressing your genuine interest in Palo Alto Networks and the specific role of Senior Corporate Counsel (Deal Acceleration). Talk about why you want to be part of their team, how your unique experiences align with their values, and why you’re passionate about the legal sector.

Stay Formal but Friendly:While we all know the legal world can be pretty formal, don’t be afraid to let a bit of personality shine through in your written application. Use a respectful tone, but feel free to inject a little warmth; this approach can help you stand out and show you're a great fit for Palo Alto Networks’s culture!

How to prepare for a job interview at Palo Alto Networks

Know Your Legal Principles

Brush up on foundational legal principles relevant to the specific area of law you’re applying for, whether it’s corporate, criminal, or family law. We might get asked situational questions to test your knowledge, so being articulate about key concepts will make you stand out.

Be Ready for Case Studies

Full-time legal roles often involve case studies during interviews. Prepare to analyse a hypothetical case and discuss your approach to it. Practising this with a peer or mentor can help us refine our reasoning and articulate a solid legal argument.

Show Off Your Research Skills

As legal professionals, strong research skills are a must. Have examples ready of how you've effectively used legal databases or conducted thorough legal research in your past experiences. It's a great way to demonstrate your readiness for the role at Palo Alto Networks.

Exude Professionalism and Confidence

In the legal field, professionalism is key. During the interview, we should maintain good eye contact and communicate clearly to show that we’re not just knowledgeable, but also confident. This can make a positive impression on your potential colleagues at Palo Alto Networks.