At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead drafting and negotiation of commercial contracts while providing practical legal guidance.
- Company: High-growth business in Blackburn with a dynamic and influential in-house legal team.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development opportunities, and a chance to shape business outcomes.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for career advancement and involvement in M&A activities.
- Why this job: Join a visible role where your legal advice directly impacts strategic projects and company success.
- Qualifications: Qualified solicitor with experience in commercial law and contract management.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
We are currently supporting a high-growth business based in Blackburn in their search for a talented Commercial Legal Counsel. This is a genuinely influential in-house position, sitting at the heart of the organisation and working across a broad commercial remit. The successful candidate will deliver clear, practical legal guidance that helps the business navigate complex regulatory and commercial landscapes with confidence.
Day-to-day, the role centres on leading the drafting, review, and negotiation of commercial contracts, building strong relationships with internal teams to proactively manage risk and support key strategic projects. The position also encompasses collaboration with external legal advisers and hands-on involvement in corporate, regulatory, and contentious matters as they arise.
For a commercially minded lawyer looking to step into a varied and visible role where their advice genuinely shapes business outcomes, this represents a compelling next move.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead on the drafting, review, and negotiation of a broad range of commercial agreements, spanning supply, franchise, and technology arrangements.
- Deliver commercially grounded legal advice across the business, keeping stakeholders informed of their obligations and options.
- Build effective working relationships with internal teams, translating legal complexity into practical, actionable guidance.
- Assist senior colleagues on high-value strategic projects and more complex legal matters.
- Support M&A activity through commercial and corporate due diligence, and oversee contract integration or wind-down post-completion.
- Drive improvements to contract management processes, developing templates and playbooks that increase efficiency across the business.
- Play an active role in governance and compliance, including company secretarial support and the development of legal best practice frameworks.
- Assist with data protection matters, working alongside the external DPO to handle queries and maintain compliance.
- Spot and articulate legal and commercial risk clearly, offering considered and proportionate solutions.
- Keep across relevant regulatory and legislative changes, briefing the business proactively on anything that may affect operations.
- Input into wider corporate projects, new ventures, and other matters requiring legal oversight.
- Keep accurate records and contribute to internal reporting on legal activity and team workload.
The Ideal Candidate
- A qualified solicitor with solid post-qualification experience in commercial law, ideally gained in-house or in a practice with a strong transactional focus.
- A proven track record of independently handling commercial contracts from instruction through to execution.
- Exposure to corporate transactions or M&A work would be a distinct advantage.
- Confident navigating governance and compliance frameworks, with a good understanding of legal risk management in a commercial context.
Legal Counsel employer: Think Legal Recruitment
As a leading player in the real estate litigation sector, our Leeds office offers an exceptional work environment characterised by collaboration and support. We pride ourselves on providing our employees with ample growth opportunities, working alongside some of the most respected professionals in the industry while handling high-profile cases for prestigious clients. Join us to be part of a dynamic team that values innovation and excellence in a vibrant city known for its rich culture and professional development prospects.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Legal Counsel
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal field, attend industry events, and join relevant online forums. The more people you know, the better your chances of hearing about opportunities before they even hit the job boards.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company inside out. Understand their business model, recent news, and how your legal expertise can help them navigate their commercial landscape. This will show you're genuinely interested and ready to contribute.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Commercial Legal Counsel, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to negotiate contracts effectively. Role-play with a friend or mentor to refine your approach and boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! We make it easy for you to showcase your skills and experience directly to potential employers. Plus, it shows you're serious about landing that role with us!
We think you need these skills to ace Legal Counsel
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Legal Counsel role. Highlight your experience in drafting and negotiating commercial contracts, as well as any exposure to corporate transactions or M&A work.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this position. Share specific examples of how you've delivered practical legal guidance and built strong relationships with internal teams in previous roles.
Showcase Your Commercial Mindset:In both your CV and cover letter, emphasise your ability to navigate complex regulatory landscapes and provide commercially grounded legal advice. We want to see how you can translate legal complexity into actionable guidance.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. This ensures your application gets to the right people quickly and allows us to keep track of all applications efficiently. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Think Legal Recruitment
✨Know Your Commercial Law Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your commercial law knowledge, especially around drafting and negotiating contracts. Be prepared to discuss specific examples from your experience where you've successfully navigated complex legal issues or delivered practical advice that shaped business outcomes.
✨Showcase Your Relationship-Building Skills
This role is all about collaboration, so think of ways to demonstrate how you've built strong relationships with internal teams in the past. Prepare anecdotes that highlight your ability to translate legal jargon into actionable guidance for non-legal stakeholders.
✨Be Ready for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical situations related to risk management or compliance. Practice articulating how you would approach these scenarios, focusing on your thought process and the solutions you would propose to mitigate risks.
✨Stay Updated on Regulatory Changes
Familiarise yourself with recent regulatory changes that could impact the business. During the interview, mention any relevant updates you've been following and how they might affect operations, showing that you're proactive and engaged with the legal landscape.
