Assistant Counsel

Kwalee; Royal Leamington Spa; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A well-known game developer in Royal Leamington Spa is seeking an Assistant Counsel to enhance their legal team. The ideal candidate will have in-house legal experience and a focus on commercial contracts and intellectual property, ensuring compliance with evolving regulations in the gaming industry. The role emphasizes collaboration and requires skills in drafting and negotiation, coupled with the ability to provide actionable legal advice to non-legal teams. Join a company prioritizing fun, innovation, and team spirit.

Benefits

Generous holiday policy

Flexible working hours

Private health cover

On-site gym

Free snacks and drinks

Dog-friendly office

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of post-qualification experience.
• Experience in commercial contracts and consumer protection laws.
• Ability to provide clear business advice on legal matters.

Responsibilities

• Manage the commercial contracts function.
• Provide legal advice on company IP and oversee the IP portfolio.
• Stay updated on emerging global regulations and compliance requirements.
• Improving legal operations and procedures.

Skills

Commercial contracts expertise

In-house legal experience

IP knowledge

Strong drafting skills

Excellent communication

Education

Qualified lawyer with minimum 2 years PQE

Job description

Kwalee has been making the most fun games for the world’s players for over a decade. By joining our talented team, you’ll be part of a space where ideas flow freely, innovation flourishes, and team spirit stays strong.

We’ve found that when we’re all together, great things happen. With over 1 billion players already reached, your work will contribute to our shared mission of making the most fun games for the world's players.

Join the team!

Kwalee's Legal team are looking for an Assistant Counsel based in our Leamington Spa studio, working on site 5 days per week.

As a key business partner, you will provide legal advice across Kwalee’s gaming operations while overseeing the efficiency and consistency of the commercial contracts function. The role requires a candidate with IP and regulatory knowledge to collaborate with internal and external stakeholders in driving the commercial success of the company’s games.

This role will require In-house Legal experience.

Responsibilities:

• Manage the commercial contracts function, including drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a variety of agreements such as; development, licensing, marketing, and vendor contracts. You will also support corporate and M&A activities.
• Provide advice on protecting company IP, specifically copyright and trademark, and oversee the IP portfolio, including by coordinating with external legal teams when necessary.
• Advise on potential IP-related risks such as copyright infringement and fair use, draft and file takedown notices for clone games; maintain an up to date log of legal takedown activity.
• Stay current with and advise on emerging global regulations affecting the video games industry, particularly in the UK, EU, and US.
• Provide legal guidance on compliance with laws like the UK Online Safety Act, focusing on user-to-user services, content moderation, and child safety.
• Ensure the company complies with global data protection laws like GDPR and CCPA regarding player data.
• Address legal issues related to consumer protection, including in-game purchases, virtual currencies, and monetisation models like loot boxes.
• Ensure advertising and marketing campaigns adhere to legal standards and consumer protection laws.
• Offer broad legal advice on various issues like employment law, real estate, and disputes and help defend Kwalee against any legal action.
• Help improve legal operations by developing procedures and providing training to the business; supervise legal assistants on tasks like take down notices for clone games, contract review and administrative tasks.
• Display a commercial mindset fostering costs reduction and revenue growth to maximise company performance.

Required Skills:

• A qualified lawyer with a minimum of 2 years of post-qualification experience (PQE).
• In-house legal experience with a commercial mindset focused on solutions.
• Relevant experience in commercial contracts and consumer protection laws.
• A functional understanding of IP.
• Strong drafting and negotiation skills with a keen eye for detail.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate complex legal concepts into clear, actionable business advice for non-legal teams.
• A value-driven problem solver.

Desirable Skills:

• IP experience is highly preferable.
• Previous experience in a games, tech, or entertainment company.
• Knowledge of data privacy regulations.
• Experience in publishing and digital content licensing.
• Commercially minded with a willingness to find solutions.
• Experience with international commercial and regulatory issues.
• An interest in video games helps but it is not essential.

Why Kwalee?

Generous Holiday: Start with 25 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays. You'll also earn an extra day for every year of service, up to 5 years!

Flexible Working: We offer core hours that allow you to work flexibly around your life, and a bank of 'Work From Home' days to use when you need them.

Health Cover: Private medical cover, life assurance, a solid pension plan, and cover for dental and optical care.

Recharge: Take advantage of our on-site gym and a supportive atmosphere that prioritises your wellbeing.

Free Food & Drink: Fuel your day with unlimited free snacks and drinks.

Gaming Goodies: Receive Steam codes for all our game releases!

Dog-Friendly Office: Bring your furry friend to our vibrant, fun office.

Office Location: Leamington Spa office location, with from parking and electric charging stations.

Merch & Events: Get exclusive Kwalee merch, enjoy fun seasonal events, and stay informed with regular town halls.

Our Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

At Kwalee, we take pride in being an equal opportunity employer, where we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential to driving creativity. We are committed to creating a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment where everyone can thrive.

Our culture is built on celebrating the diverse voices of our team members, fuelling innovation and strengthening our connection to our players. We are dedicated to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion across all areas of life, including age, disability, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.

We recognise the importance of self-development, career progression, and well-being in retaining our talented team. At Kwalee, we celebrate individuality and encourage everyone to bring their authentic selves to work.