We are currently supporting a high-growth business based in Blackburn in their search for a talented Commercial Legal Counsel. This is a genuinely influential in-house position, sitting at the heart of the organisation and working across a broad commercial remit. The successful candidate will deliver clear, practical legal guidance that helps the business navigate complex regulatory and commercial landscapes with confidence.
Day-to-day, the role centres on leading the drafting, review, and negotiation of commercial contracts, building strong relationships with internal teams to proactively manage risk and support key strategic projects. The position also encompasses collaboration with external legal advisers and hands-on involvement in corporate, regulatory, and contentious matters as they arise.
For a commercially minded lawyer looking to step into a varied and visible role where their advice genuinely shapes business outcomes, this represents a compelling next move.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead on the drafting, review, and negotiation of a broad range of commercial agreements, spanning supply, franchise, and technology arrangements.
* Deliver commercially grounded legal advice across the business, keeping stakeholders informed of their obligations and options.
* Build effective working relationships with internal teams, translating legal complexity into practical, actionable guidance.
* Assist senior colleagues on high-value strategic projects and more complex legal matters.
* Support M&A activity through commercial and corporate due diligence, and oversee contract integration or wind-down post-completion.
* Drive improvements to contract management processes, developing templates and playbooks that increase efficiency across the business.
* Play an active role in governance and compliance, including company secretarial support and the development of legal best practice frameworks.
* Assist with data protection matters, working alongside the external DPO to handle queries and maintain compliance.
* Spot and articulate legal and commercial risk clearly, offering considered and proportionate solutions.
* Keep across relevant regulatory and legislative changes, briefing the business proactively on anything that may affect operations.
* Input into wider corporate projects, new ventures, and other matters requiring legal oversight.
* Keep accurate records and contribute to internal reporting on legal activity and team workload.
The Ideal Candidate
* A qualified solicitor with solid post-qualification experience in commercial law, ideally gained in-house or in a practice with a strong transactional focus.
* A proven track record of independently handling commercial contracts from instruction through to execution.
* Exposure to corporate transactions or M&A work would be a distinct advantage.
* Confident navigating governance and compliance frameworks, with a good understanding of legal risk management in a commercial context.