Legal Counsel

Legal Counsel

BASED IN MUMBAI

About James Walker Group

We are an international business with over 140 years of history. We provide solutions in sealing, rail track fixation and vibration attenuation. Our three trusted global, industrial brands; James Walker, edilon)(sedra and Tiflex offer high performance products and systems based on advanced materials technology and engineering.

Through decades of investment in people, research and development, manufacturing facilities, technology and distribution infrastructure, we have developed a reputation for high quality products and services. Today the Group employs circa 1,900 people and has a manufacturing and sales presence in 30 countries.

The Role

We are seeking a legal counsel to join our legal team. The remit of this role is global.

This role will report to our Head of Legal and Commercial Contracts who is based in the UK. This role will work closely with him to:

• Improve our legal operations;
• Provide legal support to our sales and procurement teams globally;
• Provide legal support to other functions e.g. product engineering, technology, marketing and IP;
• Improve our legal compliance; and
• To work on special projects, as necessary.

Succeed, the role holder will need excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to communicate and build relationships with different stakeholders across our organisation globally. It also requires attention to detail and the ability to provide commercially sound legal advice in a fast-paced environment.

It would suit a commercial lawyer in private practice looking for his/her first in house role or an in-house counsel with commercial experience.

The working hours for this role are Monday – Friday and would need to cover 10am to 3pm UK time

Key Responsibilities

• Provide legal support to our sales and procurement functions globally.
• Provide legal advice and carry out research on laws and regulations.
• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide variety of manufacturing, procurement, sales, and other business-related contracts with minimal supervision.
• Draft guidelines, policies, and templates.
• Advise on contentious matters including managing external counsel and negotiating settlements.
• Provide legal support on compliance matters (e.g. GDPR/privacy, anti-bribery, sanctions, export control, and modern slavery).
• Liaise with the other members of the legal team.
• Assist in the further development of the Legal Department and promote best practices across the organisation.
• Assist in training the various business teams on legal issues.

Experience/Qualifications:

• Qualified Lawyer in India or a common law jurisdiction with basic understanding of English Law. As guidance, someone with 2 to 5 years post qualified experience.
• Working knowledge of intellectual property, GDPR/privacy, export control and sanctions laws, anti-bribery and modern slavery).
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite including Excel, PowerPoint, Teams and Outlook.
• Experienced in carrying out legal research and providing legal advice that is pragmatic.

Competencies:

• Good drafting and negotiation skills. Able to craft be-spoke clauses as required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• The ability to communicate and build relationships with stakeholders, including colleagues, Board members, customer’s lawyer and external partners.
• Able to explain legal issues in plain English and provide legal solutions that meet the business’ needs.
• Able to work with minimal supervision and as part of a team.
• Excellent planning, attention to detail, organisational and time management skills with the ability to work to tight time schedules, prioritising and handling conflicting demands.
• A proactive, can-do approach to problem-solving.
• Good drafting and negotiation skills. Able to craft bespoke clauses as required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• The ability to communicate and build relationships with stakeholders, including colleagues, Board members, customers’ lawyers, and external partners.
• Able to explain legal issues in plain English and provide legal solutions that meet the business’s needs.
• Able to work with minimal supervision and as part of a team.
• Excellent planning, attention to detail, organisational, and time management skills with the ability to work to tight time schedules, prioritising and handling conflicting demands.
• A proactive, can-do attitude.

Helpful:

• Has experience being in an in-house legal team or provided legal advice to engineering clients.
• Experience in legal projects and legal project management.
• Experience in supporting the sales or procurement function.
• Public sector, defence sector or oil and gas contracting experience.
• Export control and trade compliance experience.

Advert closing date 03/09/2025