At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Legal and Governance Team, providing expert legal advice and support.
- Company: Join The Law Society of Scotland, a leader in legal services and diversity.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, flexible hours, competitive pension, and health benefits.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team committed to fairness and equality in the workplace.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the legal sector while embodying values of respect and inclusion.
- Qualifications: Qualified Solicitor or advocate with significant senior legal experience required.
The predicted salary is between 75600 - 92400 £ per year.
The Law Society of Scotland is seeking General Counsel to join the organisation at a pivotal time. This is a new and exciting opportunity to join the Society in leading our Legal and Governance Team. The General Counsel will be responsible for leading and managing the Society’s Legal and Governance team, providing expert advice and support across the organisation.
As a trusted adviser to the CEO and other stakeholders, the role will safeguard the organisation’s interests, ensure compliance with legal requirements and help the Society deliver its strategic objectives with integrity and confidence. Reporting to the CEO, this role will provide strategic legal advice to a range of stakeholders as well as deliver guidance on corporate, legal, employment, and governance matters.
The General Counsel will ensure organisational compliance with statutory, legal and governance requirements whilst working to evolve our governance structures. The role holder will monitor legal developments, lead on the identification and management of risks and manage disputes and litigation.
The ideal candidate will be a qualified Solicitor or advocate with a current unrestricted practising certificate and will have significant senior legal and leadership experience gained in-house or in private practice. A proven ability to advise senior leaders and Board in corporate, commercial, regulatory and governance matters with expertise in managing complex risks is essential.
As a senior position within the Society, the candidate will embody our core values of Respect, Openness, Progress, Inclusion, and Integrity which drive our teams to deliver the best possible service for the legal sector.
What we offer our employees:
- A hybrid working environment.
- Flexible working, to allow you to work around your lifestyle and commitments.
- A competitive pension provision scheme.
- Excellent family friendly benefits.
- Learning and Development opportunities to enhance your skills or through programmes leading to professional or academic qualification.
- Private medical insurance including dental and optical.
- Various health and wellbeing benefits such as confidential counselling services, bike to work scheme, eyecare, and offers on well-known brands through our Lifestyle savings offering.
The Law Society of Scotland is proud to hold a Leaders in Diversity Award in recognition of our commitment to advance fairness, respect, equality, diversity, inclusion and engagement both within our organisation and in the Scottish legal sector.
We are always looking for new talent to join our incredible workforce. If you are looking for a new opportunity within the society, we would love to hear from you! If this opportunity sounds like the one for you, click Apply now. This vacancy will close at 11:30am on Monday 3rd November 2025. Due to the volume of applications, we are unable to provide feedback to applicants who are not selected for interviews.
Seniority level: Executive
Employment type: Full-time
Job function: Legal
Industries: Legal Services
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
We’re Hiring: General Counsel in Edinburgh employer: The Law Society of Scotland
The Law Society of Scotland is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that values public service and professional integrity. With opportunities for employee growth through involvement in meaningful projects like the Civil Legal Aid Quality Assurance scheme, staff enjoy a flexible hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance while contributing to the vital mission of ensuring quality legal services across Scotland.
Contact Details:
The Law Society of Scotland Recruitment Team
