Legal Counsel (Automotive, In-house)

Geely Auto Deutschland; Raunheim; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Geely Auto Deutschland seeks a proactive Legal Counsel to provide end-to-end legal support for our German automotive operations. You will serve as a key legal partner for cross-functional teams, ensuring regulatory compliance and mitigating risks in the German market.

You will manage contract lifecycles, oversee disputes, and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to support sustainable growth in the EU automotive sector. Strong knowledge of German commercial law is required.

Qualifications

• LLB/LLM degree from a recognized international law school.
• German Bar Admission or equivalent is a strong plus; familiarity with German/EU automotive regulatory frameworks.
• 5-7 years of post-qualification corporate legal practice experience.
• Fluent in English and German, both written and spoken.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, negotiate and finalize wide range of legal documents and contracts in German law context.
• Ensure compliance with German and EU regulations (GDPR, WLTP, HGB) and manage compliance risk.
• Handle disputes including litigation/arbitration and HR-related labor matters under German law.
• Manage external law firms and coordinate cross-border legal support with local and global teams.

Skills

Corporate law

Dispute resolution

Regulatory compliance

English communication

Education

LLB/LLM

German Bar Admission

Job description

We are seeking a proactive and detail-oriented Legal Counsel to join our Germany subsidiary, providing end-to-end legal support for our automotive business operations. You will be the key legal partner for cross-functional teams, safeguarding the company’s compliance and interests in the German market.

About the Role

As Legal Counsel for our German subsidiary, you will take charge of a full spectrum of legal work, from contract lifecycle management to dispute resolution and regulatory compliance. You will collaborate closely with local and global teams to mitigate legal risks and support sustainable business growth in the EU automotive sector.

Core Responsibilities

Contract Management

Draft, review, negotiate and finalize a wide range of legal documents (including NDAs, dealer & after-sales agreements, purchase contracts, cooperation MOUs, etc.). Continuously optimize contract templates and streamline the contract management workflow to align with German commercial law.

Regulatory Compliance & Risk Control

Ensure the company’s automotive business activities (covering product quality, environmental protection, data privacy, trade compliance, anti-bribery, etc.) fully comply with German and EU regulations (e.g., GDPR, WLTP, German Commercial Code HGB). Conduct compliance supervision and provide timely legal guidance for business decision-making.

Dispute Resolution & Legal Support

Handle legal disputes including litigation, arbitration, and consumer claims; provide professional legal analysis and solutions. Offer HR legal support (e.g., labor dispute resolution) in accordance with German Labor Law (Arbeitsgesetzbuch).

Partnership & External Resource Management

Participate in due diligence of potential business partners (e.g., dealer qualification & compliance checks). Select, manage and supervise external law firms to ensure cost-effective and high-quality legal services.

Intellectual Property & Other Duties

Assist in protecting the company’s IP rights related to automotive R&D, brand trademarks, etc. Fulfill other legal tasks assigned by the management team.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Education & Qualification
• Hold an LLB/LLM degree from a recognized international law school.
• German Bar Admission (Rechtsanwalt) or equivalent qualification is a strong plus; familiarity with German and EU automotive regulatory frameworks is a must.
• Professional Experience
• 5-7 years of post-qualification experience in corporate legal practice, with expertise in general corporate law and dispute resolution.
• Prior working experience in multinational manufacturing (especially automotive) companies is highly preferred.
• Fluent oral and written English and German.
• Solid legal knowledge paired with sharp business acumen; capable of providing practical, result-oriented solutions.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and cross-cultural collaboration skills (working with local teams, global stakeholders and government authorities).
• Mature, proactive and self-driven; able to work independently under pressure with high integrity.