We are seeking a highly experienced and dynamic Senior Litigation Counsel to join our legal team in London. This pivotal role requires an individual with deep expertise in both contentious and non-contentious matters. The ideal candidate will play a critical role in managing and overseeing the company’s litigation portfolio, providing legal advice on complex disputes, and delivering strategic guidance on a range of legal matters. You will work closely with senior management, external counsel, and other key stakeholders to protect and advance the company’s interests in a wide variety of legal contexts. Key Responsibilities: Contentious Legal Matters: Lead and manage high-profile litigation cases in various sectors, including commercial disputes, regulatory investigations, intellectual property, and employment matters. Provide strategic advice on dispute resolution and represent the company in court proceedings and arbitration's. Manage relationships with external law firms, ensuring the efficient and cost-effective handling of legal disputes. Oversee the preparation and review of pleadings, legal submissions, evidence, and witness statements. Develop case strategies and provide tactical advice to senior leadership to manage representational risk and mitigate business risks. Handle contentious matters across various jurisdictions, particularly with regard to international disputes. Non-Contentious Legal Matters: Provide legal counsel on a wide range of corporate, commercial, and regulatory matters, including contract negotiations, compliance, mergers and acquisitions, and general corporate governance. Draft, review, and negotiate high-value and complex contracts, ensuring that legal risks are mitigated, and business objectives are met. Advise on intellectual property rights, data protection, and regulatory compliance, ensuring alignment with UK and EU laws. Collaborate with internal business units to proactively identify potential legal risks and offer practical, solutions-focused advice to resolve non-contentious legal issues. Develop and implement policies and procedures for legal compliance and risk management. Team Leadership & Collaboration: Mentor and provide leadership to junior legal team members, sharing knowledge and fostering a collaborative working environment. Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including compliance, finance, HR, and risk, to ensure that legal perspectives are integrated into business decisions. Manage external counsel relationships to ensure legal services are delivered efficiently and within budget. Strategic Advisory: Advise senior management and the board of directors on key legal risks and strategic business decisions. Assess the potential legal impact of emerging business opportunities and challenges, ensuring proactive risk management. Qualifications & Experience: Education: Qualified solicitor or barrister with a Law degree (or equivalent) from a recognized institution. Experience: At least 8-10 years of experience in both contentious and non-contentious legal matters, ideally gained in a combination of law firm and in-house roles. Proven experience managing complex litigation, including high-stakes commercial disputes and regulatory matters. Strong background in non-contentious legal work, such as contract negotiation, corporate governance, and compliance. Experience in managing cross-border legal issues and multi-jurisdictional disputes. Skills: Excellent communication, negotiation, and drafting skills. Strong leadership and team management capabilities. Ability to manage competing priorities and complex legal challenges in a fast-paced environment. Demonstrated ability to provide clear, strategic legal advice to senior business leaders. A practical, solutions-focused approach to legal issues with the ability to influence and drive business outcomes. Desirable: Experience in specific sectors such as technology, finance, or intellectual property is advantageous. Personal Attributes: High level of integrity, professionalism, and business acumen. Resilient, detail-oriented, and capable of working under pressure. Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain relationships across all levels of the business. A proactive and collaborative approach to problem-solving. Compensation: Competitive salary based on experience. Bonus structure and benefits package.