Risk Lawyer (Associate) - Contracts and Data Protection

If you are an established Risk Lawyer or someone looking to get out of fee-earning with experience of Contracts and Data Protection law, then this may be the role for you.

Risk Lawyer - Contracts and Data Protection

A prominent commercial law firm is seeking an experienced risk lawyer to join their risk management team. The successful candidate will report to the director of risk, who also serves as the firm’s Compliance Officer for Legal Practice (COLP) and Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO), and will work closely with the chief operating officer (COO).

The firm has entered a seriously ambitious period of their growth, with the aim to double revenue over the next five years.

The firm operates with a unique blend of services tailored to meet client needs with a distinctive culture marked by agility, expertise, and close-knit teamwork. The firm prioritizes training and developing top talent from various backgrounds to foster a long-term, collaborative work environment where all team members, regardless of level, are encouraged to grow and succeed. Its commitment to diversity, recruitment, retention, and fair promotion practices underscores the firm’s forward-thinking and inclusive culture.

The firm’s risk management department comprises a risk team and a business acceptance team, both overseen by the director of risk. The risk team is nine individuals, with this new role being the tenth. The team has seen significant growth in recent years and is going to continue to provide fantastic opportunities for career growth.

The chosen risk lawyer will collaborate with the risk team to support the director of risk in ensuring the firm’s compliance with legal and regulatory standards. Key responsibilities will include managing and overseeing commercial contracts with suppliers, legal analysis, drafting and negotiation, and data protection compliance. The role involves working closely with internal stakeholders across business services and senior management to streamline procurement processes, develop and maintain contract templates, and provide essential training.

Key duties include:

• Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a range of commercial contracts, including supplier agreements, service contracts, NDAs, and licensing agreements.

• Providing strategic legal advice and risk mitigation strategies for contracts and procurement activities.

• Ensuring compliance with laws, regulations, and internal policies.

• Advising on procurement processes and collaborating with stakeholders to optimize workflows.

• Conducting training sessions on contract management and procurement processes and mentoring junior team members.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in commercial law, with particular expertise in procurement, contract negotiation, and data protection legislation. A minimum of one to five years of post-qualification experience is required, ideally as a risk lawyer or an in-house lawyer. The candidate should demonstrate strong analytical skills, excellent communication abilities, and proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel.

Key attributes sought include:

• Strong organizational skills and ability to work with minimal supervision.

• Initiative and a proactive, self-motivated approach.

• Proven training and presentation skills.

• Pragmatic and commercially aware.

Qualified solicitor or barrister with at least one to five years’ post-qualification experience.