Commercial Contracts Lawyer 1+ PQE - Glasgow

Commercial Contracts - Private Practice

Ref: 337 Date Posted: Thursday 16 Jul 2020

Excellent opportunity for a commercial lawyer to join the Risk & Compliance Team of a major international law firm- this role can be based in Glasgow or Birmingham.

Role Overview:

You will be part of the team that is responsible for ensuring compliance with the firm's professional and regulatory obligations, managing the firm's risk, claims and complaints and ensuring appropriate levels of PI cover. Structure-wise, the team is led by Director of Risk and our International Conflicts Counsel, supported by a Head of Regulatory Compliance, Head of Privacy and Head of Quality & Assurance – all are highly experienced risk & compliance lawyers. In addition there is a team of compliance analysts responsible for on-boarding all new clients and matters.
The Team is based in the UK (London, Birmingham and Glasgow), Dubai, Hong Kong and Cape Town - it provides support to all of the firm's offices.
The team operates a centre of excellence approach working with lawyers and representatives across the various business functions, such as Finance, HR and IT and is very much a respected and a highly valued team which contributes to the success of the firm and in supporting its purpose and values.

Role Profile:

The role of the Contracts Lawyer will be to work with the senior risk lawyer to take a role in drafting, reviewing, negotiating and advising on a wide range of engagement terms with clients, including JV arrangements and consortia arrangements with other service professionals. You will also work with the senior risk lawyer to maintain our suite of pro forma engagement documentation and will draft new precedents e.g. non-reliance letters, non-disclosure agreements, letters of instruction to third parties and engagement documentation for new offices.
The Contracts Lawyer will also work with the Head of Quality & Assurance to draft new risk policies and procedures, with the focus of such policies being on safeguarding the firm's risk exposure but being pragmatic and sensible.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

Draft precedent letters of engagement and standard terms of business and keep them up to date to reflect current practice and minimise risk;
Review, draft, amend and negotiate client engagement terms (proposed by the firm) and outside counsel guidelines (proposed by clients), handling the legal and risk aspects in an autonomous fashion; seeking input from the senior risk lawyer and other members of the Team where required;
Apply a pragmatic, commercial approach to client engagement terms often against tight deadlines;
Provide ad hoc legal advice to lawyers and Business Operations Teams on risk issues that arise.
Assist in drafting risk policies, procedures and guidance, working with the Head of Quality & Assurance.

Candidate Requirements:

1-2 years PQE in a general commercial or corporate role is preferable, either in-house or private practice in a substantial, well established organisation, but we will consider those with less experience if otherwise ideally suited for the role.

Key skills and abilities:

Technical excellence in contract drafting and amending and ability to apply skills to a wide range of commercial contracts for services and equipment, together with a strong appreciation of the key legal issues relevant to the firm's procurement activities.
Very good grasp of principles and drafting ability.
Ability to formulate and draft engagement agreements from scratch.
Ideally some data protection experience (but external training can be provided).
Critical thinking.
Eye for detail.
Commercial awareness and ability to prioritise and make sound commercial judgements on contract issues and level of acceptable risk.
Enthusiastic and proactive.
Solution driven - ability to solve problems creatively and effectively.
Proven ability to take the lead on projects and initiatives unrelated to contract work, on team functions and performance.
Ability to take responsibility and act autonomously – seeking supervision where appropriate.
'Team player' with strong (internal) client focussed approach, with confident interpersonal and persuasion skills, and the ability build relationships with internal stakeholders on an autonomous basis and to engage with senior members of the firm.
Ability to take initiative in relation to improvements to procedures, process, documentation and templates.
Excellent communication skills, both written and oral with ability to communicate at all levels and through different mediums.
Ability to be robust if necessary with the lawyer community.
Ability to plan, organise and prioritise tasks and projects.
Confident in dealing with senior and junior staff alike and in supervising junior staff on matters.
Ability to remain calm, controlled and resilient in a demanding environment.
Strong Word skills.
Good Excel and/or spend management/contract database skills advantageous.

For a confidential discussion about this position or to apply, please contact:

David Thomson, Director

Glasgow: 0141 244 0260

Email: david@thomsonlrc.com

Testimonials

I had the chance to know David during a selection process. He has proved himself a valuable supporter: very proactive and helpful, he has been reliable presence during the whole procedure. As a candidate, I felt reassured and personally backed (he answered my doubts and questions even during the weekend). Working with him was a successful experience.

Rachele MaterassiEU LawyerW.L. Gore

I had the opportunity to work with David whilst making a recent career move from trainee solicitor into a newly qualified position. David understood immediately what both my short term and long term objectives were and gave incredibly useful advice on the direction I should take to achieve those aims. David never tried to advocate positions out of convenience, and didn’t force me to pursue or consider roles that I wasn’t genuinely interested in. I was impressed that David really listened to what I was saying. This meant that only relevant opportunities were sent my way and I wasn’t inundated with irrelevant vacancies which can be frustrating. David was diligent throughout every stage in the recruitment process ensuring I had enough information to make the right decision at what is a daunting time in any legal career. The whole process was incredibly smooth and I really felt that I always had support and someone fighting my corner at all times! This helped to take the pressure off me and make everything easier. This coupled with the fact I found David very easy to talk to made everything less scary. David always made himself available to answer emails, calls and to chat things through. This flexibility was much appreciated as it meant I could have meaningful discussions out with office hours. I have no hesitation in recommending Thomson Legal Recruitment.

Aimee DoranSolicitor, Dentons LLP

I can’t recommend David highly enough. He has excellent knowledge of the legal industry and provided me with invaluable support prior to both of my interviews. David was very proactive and kept me fully updated throughout the process, in addition to ensuring I had settled in well once I had secured the position which I really appreciated.

Leanne HammellCommercial Solicitor, Pinsent Masons LLP

I would recommend David to any solicitor or legal professional for a number of reasons but the excellent support he provides throughout the application process is by far the best reason for me. Although I was looking for quite a specific role, I found David to be very helpful, informative and above all available when it came to the job market at any given time in multiple jurisdictions. I have only used Thomson Legal for a few months however, I have been successful in obtaining my ideal position and its is down to David’s knowledge of the Scottish (and international) legal markets that I am in the position I am today. I have thanked him personally for all of his help and I would recommend any to legal professional, the services on offer at Thomson Legal.

Graham GibsonData Protection ManagerClydesdale & Yorkshire Bank

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Commercial Contracts Lawyer 1+ PQE - Glasgow