Location: London, UK
Contract Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Reports to: CEO / Board / Family Principal
Salary: Competitive + Bonus + Benefits
About Us:
We are a prestigious, privately held organisation (Family Office / Private Group) based in London, overseeing a diverse portfolio of investments, real estate holdings, philanthropic initiatives, and private business interests. We are seeking an experienced and commercially-minded General Counsel to act as the trusted in-house legal advisor, managing all legal, regulatory, and governance matters with discretion, insight, and technical excellence.
Role Overview:
The General Counsel will be responsible for delivering high-quality, practical legal advice across all aspects of the group’s activities. This is a broad role covering corporate, commercial, regulatory, private client, employment, real estate, and dispute matters. The General Counsel will ensure the group’s interests are protected, risks are proactively managed, and that the organisation operates within all relevant legal frameworks, both domestic and international.
Key Responsibilities:
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Legal Advisory: Serve as the principal legal advisor to the principals, senior management, and internal teams across a wide range of legal matters.
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Corporate Governance: Oversee corporate structuring, regulatory compliance, and governance frameworks across all group entities.
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Commercial Contracts: Draft, review, and negotiate a variety of agreements, including NDAs, service contracts, investment agreements, joint ventures, and supplier contracts.
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Investment Support: Provide legal support on investment transactions including private equity, venture capital, real estate, and direct business acquisitions.
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Risk Management: Identify legal risks and devise strategies to mitigate and manage exposures across all operations.
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External Counsel Management: Manage relationships with external law firms and advisors, including instructing and overseeing specialist counsel as required.
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Employment & HR: Advise on employment matters including contracts, disputes, and terminations.
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Real Estate: Support real estate transactions, lease agreements, development projects, and property management issues.
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Dispute Resolution: Manage litigation, arbitration, or other disputes, seeking efficient and commercially sensible resolutions.
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Regulatory Compliance: Monitor changes in legal and regulatory environments (UK and international) and ensure proactive compliance.
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Training & Policies: Develop and implement internal policies, provide training on relevant legal and compliance issues to internal stakeholders.
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Philanthropy & Personal Matters: Provide legal support on personal matters for the family principals where required, including philanthropy, trusts, and estates.
Key Requirements:
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Qualified solicitor or barrister in England & Wales (with a current practising certificate).
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10+ years of post-qualification experience (PQE), ideally with a strong mix of top-tier private practice and in-house experience.
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Broad legal expertise across corporate, commercial, regulatory, and private client areas.
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Strong commercial acumen and the ability to offer practical, solution-oriented advice.
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Exceptional organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities under pressure.
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Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, capable of working closely with UHNW principals and senior executives.
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High levels of discretion, confidentiality, and personal integrity.
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Previous experience within a family office, private investment office, or complex private company structure highly desirable.
Preferred Attributes:
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Exposure to cross-border transactions and international regulatory issues.
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Familiarity with private wealth management, trusts, and succession planning matters.
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Experience in real estate and construction law would be advantageous.
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Proactive, hands-on approach with a flexible and collaborative mindset.
Great working environment and good package
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