At a Glance
- Tasks: Draft and negotiate commercial agreements while supporting innovative projects in DeFi and tokenisation.
- Company: Join a pioneering firm bridging traditional finance and decentralised finance.
- Benefits: Enjoy high autonomy, competitive salary, equity, and a culture that values ownership.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team with a focus on innovation and growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of digital assets and work with leading institutional clients.
- Qualifications: Qualified solicitor with 5+ years PQE and knowledge of DeFi and digital assets.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
We are building the on-ramp for the next trillion dollars of assets to move on-chain. R3 bridges TradFi and DeFi through institutional-grade RWA yield vaults, fully composable and integrated into Solana DeFi.
Responsibilities:
- Draft, negotiate and manage the full spectrum of commercial agreements: SaaS licenses, MSAs, partnership and reseller arrangements, NDAs, DPAs and DORA addenda.
- Represent R3 in discussions and negotiations with the independent Foundation which governs the Protocol we are building, collaborating day-to-day while protecting R3's interests.
- Act as the trusted legal partner to sales, business development and marketing, moving at commercial pace, structuring deals creatively, and providing commercial advice that advances business goals.
- Review product, marketing and GTM collateral for legal and regulatory risk.
- Support strategic projects in tokenisation, DeFi and Web3, bringing in external counsel where needed.
- Build the infrastructure — templates, playbooks, internal guidance — to enable the business to move faster within sensible risk tolerances.
- Manage external counsel where instructed, keeping engagements focused and cost-effective.
Qualifications:
- You are a qualified solicitor in England & Wales (or equivalent common law jurisdiction with the right to practice in the UK), with 5+ years PQE from private practice, in-house, or both.
- Solid general commercial law experience, with a proven track record of drafting technology contracts, ideally in a financial environment.
- Working knowledge of digital assets, DeFi and Web3, including familiarity with on-chain product structures such as yield vaults, token frameworks, and SPV/fund-wrapper arrangements used in RWA tokenisation.
- Sharp commercial instincts; you find solutions, not blockers.
- Proven ability to support fast-moving sales and marketing teams: prioritising hard requirements, pushing back when needed, delivering under pressure.
- Confident operating as the only lawyer in the room, while knowing when to escalate.
- Clear communicator who can translate legal complexity into plain guidance.
- Background in traditional financial services or financial market infrastructure (TradFi) in either private practice or in-house.
- Experience advising on token generation events (TGEs) or utility token structures, and familiarity with relevant UK, EU or US regulatory frameworks (e.g. UK financial promotions regime, MiCA, MAS, MAR, AML/CFT).
- Experience with UK GDPR, IP licensing or open-source software issues.
- Prior in-house experience at a tech, fintech or financial services business.
Benefits:
- High autonomy from day one — your work will directly shape how we operate and go to market.
- A front-row seat on the tokenisation and digital assets space, working with leading institutional clients and partners.
- A culture that values pragmatism and ownership over process.
- Competitive salary, equity, and benefits.
Senior Corporate Counsel in London employer: R3
At R3, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that empowers our employees with high autonomy and the opportunity to shape the future of digital assets. Our collaborative culture values pragmatism and ownership, providing a dynamic environment where you can thrive while working alongside leading institutional clients in the rapidly evolving tokenisation and DeFi space. With competitive salaries, equity options, and a commitment to employee growth, R3 is the ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in the heart of financial innovation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Corporate Counsel in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal and financial sectors. Attend industry events, webinars, or even casual meet-ups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! Prepare a portfolio of your past work, especially those tech contracts and commercial agreements you've drafted. Bring it along to interviews to demonstrate your skills and experience in action.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to appear. Reach out directly to companies you admire, like R3, and express your interest. A well-timed email can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t publicly advertised.
✨Tip Number 4
Keep learning! Stay updated on the latest trends in DeFi, tokenisation, and digital assets. Join online courses or follow relevant thought leaders. This will not only boost your knowledge but also show potential employers that you're committed to staying ahead in the field.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Corporate Counsel in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience with commercial agreements and digital assets. We want to see how your background aligns with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant skills!
Showcase Your Legal Expertise:When drafting your application, emphasise your qualifications and experience in commercial law, especially in tech or financial environments. We’re looking for someone who can navigate legal complexities with ease, so let us know how you’ve done this in the past.
Be Clear and Concise:We appreciate straightforward communication, so keep your application clear and to the point. Avoid jargon where possible and make it easy for us to see your key achievements and how they relate to the role.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at R3
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of digital assets, DeFi, and Web3. Familiarise yourself with the specific terms and structures mentioned in the job description, like yield vaults and token frameworks. This will show that you're not just a qualified solicitor but also someone who understands the industry.
✨Showcase Your Commercial Acumen
Prepare examples from your past experience where you've successfully navigated complex commercial agreements or provided creative solutions under pressure. Highlight how you’ve supported sales and marketing teams, as this role requires a sharp commercial instinct and the ability to prioritise effectively.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Risk Management
Since the role involves managing legal and regulatory risks, think about how you’ve approached risk in previous roles. Be prepared to discuss how you would build templates and internal guidance to help the business move faster while staying within sensible risk tolerances.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice translating complex legal jargon into plain language. You’ll need to demonstrate that you can communicate effectively with non-legal stakeholders. Consider preparing a few scenarios where you’ve had to simplify legal concepts for others, as this will be crucial in your role as a trusted legal partner.
