Legal Counsel

Location: Central London with homeworking and occasional UK travel required (Chelmsford, Milton Keynes, Leighton Buzzard etc)Key ObjectivesThis role provides general commercial support across all of the Connells group and with a particular focus within the B2B, commercial agency and mortgage services divisions, comprising the following business lines: surveying, conveyancing, property management and consultancy, commercial property services, property auctions, residential property developers and funds, and mortgage and protection insurance services (FCA regulated)Your Specific Responsibilities will includeContracts

• Draft, review and negotiate a range of commercial contracts with customers and suppliers from tender submissions, to one–off service contracts to multi–million pound long–term service contracts, including sub–contractors, IT providers and outsourcing
• Draft, review and negotiate ancillary documents, such as variations, data sharing agreements, novations/assignments, duty of care letters, side letters and settlement agreements
• Advise on B2C customer–facing documentation, including terms of business, website content, marketing/advertising and prize draws/competitions
• Draft and maintain standard terms of business, engagement letters, NDAs, supplier T&Cs etc.
• Advise/assist with contractual interpretation/disputes

Intellectual Property

• Advise/assist on IP and brand protection
• Advise/assist on IP infringement such as passing off or trade mark infringement

Compliance and regulation

• Assist in the development of compliance and regulatory policies and procedures
• Advise/assist on relevant regulatory issues, including data protection, competition and FCA regulation

Corporate

• Assist with/support corporate transactions (M&A, intra group reorganisation) as required

General

• Assist Group Legal team members with any other areas/work as required in our collegiate, team focused environment
• Understand, and build relationships with the business divisions, objectives and the key personnel of the wide ranging operating subsidiaries across the Group
• Keep up to date on developments in legislation, case law and guidance relevant to the business, and proactively assist the business with understanding/implementing any changes
• Assist in development and implementation of Group Legal policies, procedures and training
• Facilitating legal and commercial awareness and compliance across the business

Knowledge, Skills, Experience and Training

• Professional qualifications: Solicitor/Barrister
• 2–3 PQE as a guide, although candidates outside this bracket with the appropriate level of experience will also be considered
• Experience of providing commercially focused legal advice, with a reputable law firm or in–house experience
• Contracting excellence expected. Ideally proven experience of advising in:
  • IT services contracts and arrangements
  • Data protection
  • Public sector procurement
• Excellent communication skills, with ability to adapt style for different audiences, and to summarise and simplify issues
• Highly developed organisational skills to prioritise workload, with a high attention to detail and accuracy

CF00146