Legal Counsel
In‑house commercial and IP counsel responsible for reviewing, drafting, negotiating, and closing a broad range of commercial contracts to support business growth and innovation while effectively managing legal and operational risk, and assisting the VP, Head of Legal on various compliance and legal matters as needed. In particular, the candidate will work closely with our IP Services Business Unit which offers the industry’s highest quality patent translations, a seamless global patent filing experience and a wide range of cutting‑edge IP research and protection services. This new role will also advise on the Group’s portfolio of patents, trademarks, and other forms of intellectual property. The successful candidate will be part of a growing, proactive and energetic global legal team, reporting directly into VP, Head of Legal.
About RWS Legal
In joining RWS’s Legal and Professional Advisory team you will play an instrumental part in supporting the world’s leading provider of technology‑enabled language, content, and intellectual property services. RWS has growing revenues of over £750m through a combination of value accretive acquisitions and organic growth and a current market capitalization of £1.3bn. The Legal and Professional Advisory team is led by our General Counsel and Company Secretary, Jane Hyde, and includes the Legal, Company Secretarial, Data Privacy and ESG functions which provide critical business partnering to our Divisional operations and help drive the Group’s risk management, regulatory, governance and sustainability agendas.
You will be part of a diverse and international team working across our global operations which span a footprint of over 100 legal entities in 43 different countries worldwide. It’s a very exciting time to join RWS for an individual who enjoys driving change and making an impact in a dynamic environment. As part of the overall RWS business strategy we are making a significant investment in upgrading our systems and processes to deliver enhanced reporting and control and strengthening our risk and governance frameworks.
Key Responsibilities
* Review, revise, draft, and negotiate a broad range of contracts and third‑party agreements with customers, vendors, and partners worldwide. Contracts include patent services agreements, technology agreements, SaaS, software licensing, data processing agreements, and procurement agreements. Emphasis is on providing timely, high‑quality analysis and pragmatic solutions and legal advice on all contract negotiations.
* Advise on IP ownership, licensing, and rights in data, algorithms, and AI model outputs.
* Support business development and procurement teams in structuring compliant and commercially sound AI collaborations.
* Provide advice on the Group’s intellectual property portfolio, including patents, trademarks, and copyright. Collaborate with the product and development teams to identify patentable inventions. Advise on the intellectual property aspects of contracts and agreements. Liaise with external counsel and patent and trademark attorneys.
* Advise the Group on any disputes or legal proceedings related to its intellectual property.
* Collaborate with, and provide strategic and legal advice to, various cross‑functional teams, including Sales, Operations, Finance, Marketing, Procurement, Data Privacy, Security, IT/Procurement, Product & Development, and Delivery.
* Shepherd deals through the sales cycle and internal approval processes while partnering with the appropriate cross‑functional teams.
* Effectively prioritize and manage additional ad‑hoc requests and responsibilities across a spectrum of complex business, legal, and strategic issues.
Skills & Experience
* UK qualified solicitor or barrister, or equivalent qualification from another common law jurisdiction.
* Minimum 3 years’ post‑qualification experience, preferably including an in‑house role.
* A proactive, business‑minded attorney who acts as a true partner to the business, balancing innovation and risk with a disciplined approach to execution and deadlines.
* Ability to combine commercial insight with legal expertise, delivering timely, solution‑oriented counsel that enables the organization to move quickly, responsibly, and confidently in an evolving AI‑driven environment. A background advising large technology‑driven organizations would be advantageous.
* Strong contract negotiation and drafting skills, and substantive expertise in key provisions of commercial and business services contracts, with an understanding of privacy issues.
* Strong knowledge of intellectual property law and the protection of intellectual property and proprietary rights.
* Qualified candidates must be comfortable operating in an international setting.
* Ability to think strategically, problem solve creatively and quickly and be a savvy partner to clients (both internal and external) to help them navigate legal risk to achieve business objectives.
* Self‑motivated and highly productive with the ability to multi‑task.
* Quick learner who can adapt to a fast‑paced, high‑growth environment and can navigate complex cross‑functional situations.
* Works well under pressure in a fast‑paced sales environment, with regular prioritisation and timely and transparent communication.
* Comfortable operating with a high degree of autonomy.
* Demonstrated flexibility and eagerness to work on a broad range of legal matters.
* Strong team player with the ability to collaborate with cross‑functional teams representing a wide range of entities and departments in an international and multi‑cultural environment.
* Excellent analytical, drafting, interpersonal and communication skills.
* Ability to maintain a strong presence in client meetings and meetings with opposing counsel and parties, while representing the company’s interests.
* Possesses strong integrity, and the ability to maintain confidences while working with sensitive, confidential information.
* Demonstrated commitment to principles of equity and inclusion.
Life at RWS
RWS embraces DEI and promotes equal opportunity, we are an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind. RWS is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at RWS are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, religion, nationality, ethnicity, sex, age, disability, or sexual orientation. RWS will not tolerate discrimination based on any of these characteristics.
In return, we expect all our people to live by the values that unite us: to partner, putting clients first and winning together; to pioneer, innovating fearlessly and leading with vision and courage; to progress, aiming high and growing through actions; and to deliver, owning the outcome and building trust with our colleagues and clients.
Seniority level
* Mid‑Senior level
Employment type
* Full‑time
Job function
* Legal
Industries
* Business Content
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