Legal Counsel

A successful Legal Counsel should have:

• England & Wales qualified solicitor with around four years' PQE, gained either in private practice or an in-house environment.
• Demonstrable experience handling a broad range of contentious matters, including disputes, litigation, pre-action strategy, settlement negotiations and the management of external legal advisers.
• A background within, or strong understanding of, regulated sectors such as healthcare, pharmaceuticals, life sciences, clinical research, diagnostics or related industries.
• Knowledge of insurance-related matters and claims management, including liaising with insurers, brokers and panel firms to achieve effective outcomes.
• Strong commercial contracts experience, with the ability to confidently draft, review and negotiate a variety of agreements with minimal supervision.

• A salary ranging from £70,000 to £80,000, dependent on the level of experience.
• Hybrid working
• Bonus + other benefits
• A permanent position based in Reading.

Our client is seeking a Legal Counsel in the life science industry, to join their in house legal function, the succesful candidates will handle a range of legal matters to support the business operations. This role will help ensure compliance and manage legal risks effectively while working closely with other departments.

• Take a lead role in managing and resolving UK medical negligence and healthcare-related claims, working collaboratively with insurers, external legal advisers, clinicians, operational teams, quality functions and other key stakeholders.
• Coordinate with panel law firms and insurers on contentious matters, ensuring legal instructions are delivered effectively and support the organisation's wider commercial, legal and risk management priorities.
• Prepare, review and negotiate a variety of commercial contracts, including service agreements, consultancy arrangements, confidentiality agreements and collaborative partnership documentation.
• Provide pragmatic legal guidance across the business, helping stakeholders identify, assess and mitigate legal and regulatory risks while supporting informed commercial decision-making.
• Act as a trusted advisor on pharmaceutical-related matters, supporting interactions with pharmaceutical partners and overseeing the review, drafting and negotiation of related agreements. This will include advising on compliance obligations, data protection considerations, conflicts management and broader legal risk.
• Support the Head of Legal on a broad range of disputes and sensitive matters, including complaints, internal investigations, pre-action issues, litigation, Coroner's inquests and medical claims, with a focus on achieving commercially sensible and risk-aware outcomes.

• Chance to join a growing in house legal function
• Join a strong brand