In-House Lawyer (14 month contract)

Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

12/19/2024

Job Description

A&O Shearman is a new global industry-leading law firm, with nearly 50 offices in 29 countries worldwide. Our fluency in English law, US law, and the laws of the world’s most dynamic markets, enables us to provide unmatched insight and seamless delivery to clients. We work on challenging and important deals and disputes that have the potential to shape the future.

We offer exceptional opportunities for our people; opportunities to work for the world’s leading businesses; to transform the status quo, and to deliver your best work, helping you and your career to thrive, while delivering unparalleled outcomes for our clients.

Whether you're helping clients solve complex challenges, transforming the ways we manage our business, or ensuring the smooth-running of our operations, this is an environment where you can belong and excel. We provide first-rate training and development, we are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and we provide support and ways of working that help you optimise your wellbeing.

What truly defines a career with us? We recruit the best and ask for the best of you. And together, we will redefine success.

Department purpose

In-House Legal is a core part of the Risk function, which is comprised of teams of market-leading experts and is at the heart of the sustainability and success of our firm. It has a core responsibility to uphold the values of A&O Shearman and support the strategic objectives of the business. Our lawyers are industry experts who provide high quality legal and risk advice to the global firm and its senior management, governance bodies, and partners.

We provide legal and risk advice across a diverse range of complex and interesting subject areas, frequently leading on strategic projects. We also have a key role in looking to the future and providing strategic advice to the firm, finding solutions, and achieving the firm’s goals and objectives.

The In-house Legal Team Reports To The Firm’s Key Governance Bodies And Provides Assurance In Respect Of a Wide Range Of Matters, Including

• Supporting the firm in the development of its legal technology and innovation strategies;
• Drafting, reviewing, and advising on the firm’s complex commercial contract arrangements and related data privacy issues;
• Advising on legal and regulatory issues relating to the firm’s supply chain and suite of technology;
• Acting as a leader of the firm's management of legal and operational risk, enhancing the management of risk throughout the firm;
• Advising on complex risk and regulatory issues for the firm, including by managing regulatory change projects;
• Responding proactively to risk and regulatory issues, identifying changes to relevant laws/regulations, and advising as to their impact on the firm;
• Advising on and implementing proposed changes to the group structure, including the opening of new offices and corporate restructurings; and
• Acting as the firm's corporate secretariat, including dealing with procedural and other formalities relating to the firm's corporate group structure, inter-company agreements and other relevant procedural requirements.
  
  

What You Will Do

We are seeking an experienced commercial lawyer to join our specialist technology, innovation, and data lawyers within our in-house legal team for a 14-month fixed term.

This is an opportunity to work alongside recognised experts on innovative and complex technology projects, solving cutting-edge legal and organisational challenges on a truly global basis. You will be a trusted advisor to the global business and support the delivery of best-in-class technology tools and bespoke solutions. You will provide pragmatic advice on legal and regulatory issues in relation to the firm’s supply chain and technology suite, as well as broader risk and operational matters, and work on complex commercial contract arrangements and related data privacy issues and requirements.

This role will enable you to develop your career at a leading international firm that offers a unique in-house experience where high performance and embracing innovation are encouraged and recognised. Regularly voted in the top employer lists, A&O Shearman fosters a collaborative work environment. You will work in a friendly team where you can contribute your knowledge and experience, all whilst receiving the professional support and accompanying benefits that can be expected from a prestigious magic circle law firm.

Who We Are Looking For

The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate the following skills and experience:

• Qualified lawyer with several years’ PQE providing pragmatic corporate/commercial legal advice in a global organisation.
• Excellent reviewing, drafting, and negotiating skills, including on complex commercial contract arrangements.
• Demonstrable understanding of data privacy issues related to technology services.
• A background in technology and a keen interest in innovation.
• Well-developed IT skills.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• The ability to understand, explain and advise on technical processes using business-friendly language.
• A proven ability to manage and prioritise a varied portfolio and meet time-sensitive deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills at all levels, including with internal clients and partners and external suppliers.
• Self-motivation and independence, with an ability to manage new and varied challenges.
• Collaborative approach and ability to work well in a team and with a wide range of stakeholders.
  
  

What We Can Offer You

We recognise that our people are our most valuable asset, which is reflected in the wide range of benefits that are available to our employees. Some of these benefits include: our occupational pension scheme, group income protection cover, private medical insurance, mental health resources and free apps, health and wellbeing services encompassing GP service, emergency back-up care support, parental and special leave, online discounts and lifestyle management services.

Should you require additional support at any stage of the recruitment process due to a disability or a health condition, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our recruitment team who will work with you to provide any adjustments as required.

We are an equal opportunities recruiter and do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other protected characteristic.

We recognise the value of flexible working and embraces hybrid working, allowing our people to work from home up to 40% of their working time. We do however remain committed to working together in person for the remaining 60% of time so that we can learn, grow and succeed together.