Legal Counsel

PUR; Paris; Sur place; EUR 60 000 - 90 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A global environmental organization based in Paris is seeking a meticulous Legal Counsel to join its team. The role involves contract drafting, corporate governance, and engaging with ethics and human rights topics. Candidates should have 5 to 10 years of legal experience, a law degree, and be fluent in English. The position offers an opportunity to contribute to meaningful environmental and social impacts while working in a diverse, multicultural organization.

Qualifications

• 5 to 10 years of professional legal experience.
• Experience in commercial contracts and corporate governance.
• Willingness to learn about ethics or compliance topics.

Responsabilités

• Draft and negotiate various agreements.
• Provide legal support for nature-based projects.
• Develop ethics and human rights frameworks.

Connaissances

Contract drafting and negotiation

Corporate governance

Ethics and compliance

Interpersonal skills

Fluent written and spoken English

Formation

Law degree (Master in Law, LLM, JD equivalent)

Description du poste

PUR is a global, impact-focused B‑Corp specializing in the development of environmental restoration projects, known as 'nature-based solutions' (NbS). Since 2008, we have helped the world’s largest organizations meet their ESG targets, reduce their environmental footprint, and regenerate the ecosystems they depend on across complex supply chains. Having developed over 45 projects in more than 30 countries, PUR is recognized as both a pioneer and leader in a sector that is now at the forefront of global efforts to address the ongoing climate and biodiversity crisis.

At the heart of our mission is a commitment to fostering and operationalizing insetting strategies—interventions by companies within their own value chains designed to reduce GHG emissions while creating positive impacts for communities, landscapes, and ecosystems. By championing this insetting approach, we aim to create a holistic range of benefits that extend beyond ecological restoration, encompassing social and economic dimensions through enhanced agricultural yields and resilience to climate change‑induced stresses, among others.

One of the distinctive features of our work is our ability to tailor projects to the specific needs of different regions and communities. By recognizing the unique characteristics of each ecosystem and the cultural context of the communities involved, we ensure our initiatives are contextually relevant and have a meaningful and sustainable impact. All our projects are developed in close collaboration with local actors, including cooperatives, NGOs, governments, and corporations.

Today, we employ 200 staff across 16 countries with key offices in Paris (HQ) and Toronto.

Position Summary

PUR is looking for a rigorous, meticulous, and hardworking Legal Counsel with solid experience to strengthen its Legal & Human Rights team.

This role combines contract drafting and negotiation, corporate governance & bookkeeping, and meaningful involvement in ethics, compliance, and human‑rights topics.

The position is ideal for someone who is grounded in legal craftsmanship yet eager to explore new territories. The right candidate is precise and reliable, but also openminded, curious, and willing to engage with emerging or imperfectly defined legal and ethical topics that arise in nature‑based, field‑driven environments. You should be comfortable navigating diverse countries, cultures, and sometimes volatile operational contexts.

Key Responsibilities

1. Contracting

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of agreements, including:
• project implementation contracts (agroforestry, reforestation, regenerative agriculture),
• various service agreements in the field of nature‑based solutions and in other fields,
• complex and long‑term contracts with clients.
• Provide clear, pragmatic advice to operational and commercial teams.
• Identify risks and propose solutions that balance legal rigor with operational needs.
• Handle corporate bookkeeping of the 8 subsidiaries of the group:
• maintain statutory registers and review corporate documentation,
• manage legal filings, annual reports, and corporate compliance calendars.
• Support legal structuring and lifecycle management of entities across jurisdictions.
• Ensure alignment with group governance standards and regulatory requirements.
• Review delegations of power in line with the group matrix.

3. Ethics & Human Rights

• Contribute to the development and deployment of ethics and human rights frameworks.
• Support due diligence processes, risk assessments, and implementation of controls.
• Assist with internal ethics inquiries, reporting mechanisms, and remediation actions.

4. Legal Support for Nature‑Based Solutions

• Provide legal analysis and support for projects involving:
• land use and land tenure,
• community partnership agreements,
• environmental and biodiversity commitments,
• Valuechain sustainability collaborations.
• Stay informed on evolving regulations in sustainability, deforestation, biodiversity, and agriculture.

5. Curiosity, Adaptability & Cross‑Functional Work

• Dive into new, ambiguous, or unstable areas of law and practice when needed.
• Think creatively to find solutions that support mission‑driven innovation.
• Collaborate regularly with operations, HR, finance, data, and impact teams.
• Build trust across diverse cultures, languages, and field realities.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Law degree (Master in Law, LLM, JD equivalent).
• 5 to 10 years Past solid professional legal experience, ideally including exposure to:
• commercial contracts,
• corporate governance,
• international or multijurisdictional contexts.
• Experience working in sustainability, agriculture, development, nature‑based solutions, or NGO type environments is valued, but not mandatory.
• Prior ethics or compliance experience is a plus; willingness to learn is essential.
• Fluent written and spoken English (essential).
• Excellent organizational skills and follow‑through.
• Excellent verbal and writing skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with international teams.

Contribute to meaningful environmental and social impact.

Operate at the intersection of law, sustainability, and community‑based action.

Work in a diverse, multicultural, field‑driven organization.

Grow professionally through exposure to new topics, geographies, and legal challenges.

At PUR, we strive to build inclusive teams and an equitable workplace where our employees feel respected, supported, and empowered. As a global company operating across six continents, we recognize that diversity in the workplace is essential to achieving our mission.

We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of age, race, gender, colour, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or any other aspect that makes them unique.

PUR is dedicated to providing an accessible environment for all candidates during the application process and for employees during their employment. If you require accommodation or consideration throughout the interview process, let us know, and we will do our best to support you.