Senior Legal Counsel

Knewin

Job Description

Senior Legal Counsel, EMEA

London or Sheffield

Fragomen are recruiting for a qualified lawyer of 4-8 years PQE, with a background in commercial law who possesses strong, pragmatic international business acumen and can bring value to the Office of General Counsel and senior business leaders by finding solutions to complex legal and business problems with a hands-on and global approach.

About the team:

The EMEA Office of General Counsel is one of the corporate teams supporting the firm’s core business. The team assists with a wide range of transactional, company secretarial and advisory legal work across EMEA, including: commercial contracts (clients and suppliers); employment; property; tenders and RFPs; professional regulation; compliance; sanctions; litigation; and data privacy. As part of the team, you will work with OGC and non-OGC colleagues around the world as well as with local advisors supporting Fragomen in various locations.

About the role:
Reporting to the Associate General Counsel for EMEA based in the Firm’s London office, the position will involve the provision of legal counsel and assistance to the Firm’s EMEA offices as well as the opportunity to work with the Associate General Counsel covering Asia Pacific, US and LATAM on additional international projects.

Other key responsibilities will include:

• Contracts: The Firm enters into long term contracts with its major corporate customers – often following a detailed RFP process. Together with other corporate functions, OGC works alongside partners and senior managers to win new clients and negotiate the Firm’s contracts with them. The Firm’s significant contracts on the supply side are also negotiated by the OGC team – such as agreements with suppliers, co-counsel and office leases.
• Sanctions: Assist in determining whether certain work can be performed.
• Anti-money laundering: Assist in assessment of contracts and engagements; provide training to staff.
• Know your clients: Assist in the onboarding of new clients and provide training to staff
• Corporate secretarial: Attend to key governance functions.
• Ad hoc projects, including working on future new office openings.
• Assist with responding to client related surveys and questionnaires regarding the Firm’s legal and compliance initiatives.

About you:

The successful candidate for this role will be an enthusiastic qualified lawyer with a background in contract negotiation and drafting skills. You will have experience in managing projects as well as compiling and delivering training. Ideally you will already be in an in-house role or have a strong desire to move in-house.

Also required:

• Experience of operating within an international legal environment, supporting global clients with cross border legal issues.
• Experience in corporate, commercial contract, and money laundering laws.
• Experience of practising at a large or mid-sized law firm, preferably one with a substantial global practice; ideally augmented by experience in-house.
• Able to deal effectively with strategic issues as well as tactical operational details.
• Excellent interpersonal, relationship management and communication skills. Understanding of cultural differences and ways of working.
• Gravitas, credibility and self confidence. Must be a team player.
• A strong sense of professional pride and a strong work ethic; a proactive, enthusiastic and flexible approach.
• Exemplary personal and professional integrity and business ethics, as well as a commitment to diversity and a respect for others.
• Superior writing and oral communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to adapt style and format to the audience while maintaining substance.

Fragomen in the UK:

Our UK team is made up of over 700 people working across two offices, based in London and Sheffield. Both offices are centrally located in their respective cities, with the Sheffield office having the added bonus of free on-site parking. Our people work collaboratively and dynamically in a positive environment, with over 20 different languages being spoken.

The Firm operates a hybrid working model, which incorporates a blend of in-person attendance as well as working from home – our aim being to fully leverage our remote working technology and provide a balance for our people in the way that they work.

Whether in the office or working remotely, we are proud of our team spirit and we like to reflect this in the way that we work and everything we do. Our Responsible Business Strategy (RBS) prioritises Fragomen’s social responsibility through one cross-cutting theme and five focus areas These focus areas include: Wellbeing, Diversity and Inclusion, Charity & Pro bono work, Social and Environmental & Sustainability. The RBS initiative offers great opportunities for everyone at Fragomen to get involved and help steer a variety of initiatives and activities at the Firm. These range from social events and activities, to regular wellbeing newsletters and diversity discussions.

Fragomen is committed to promoting diversity, inclusion and equal opportunity for all employees and applicants, regardless of race, ethnicity, heritage, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or intersex status.