Solicitor

University of the Arts London; Greater London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Diverse and inclusive working environment

Job summary

The University of the Arts London is seeking a qualified solicitor for a 12-month fixed-term maternity cover role. You will be responsible for drafting, reviewing, and advising on contracts and a variety of agreements, while also engaging with internal stakeholders. The ideal candidate will possess strong commercial focus and excellent drafting skills acquired through experience in private practice or in-house. A commitment to diversity and inclusion is emphasized, along with flexible working arrangements to support staff.

Qualifications

• Post-qualification experience in contract and commercial law from private or in-house context.
• Ability to draft legal documents to a high standard while providing practical advice.
• Experience managing workload under pressure and within deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Review and draft a variety of agreements, including consultancy and sponsorship.
• Advise on intellectual property, charity law, and regulatory matters.

Skills

Drafting skills

Advising on contracts

Intellectual property knowledge

Commercial law understanding

Research skills

Education

Qualified solicitor in England and Wales

Job description

This role of 12 month fixed term maternity cover solicitor offers an exciting opportunity within a stimulating arts environment involving drafting, reviewing, negotiating and advising on contracts and regulatory matters for a wide range of University projects.

Working alongside solicitors and contracts managers within the Legal Services team, you will advise and interact with motivated colleagues across the University at all levels.

The successful candidate will be a qualified solicitor with a background or training in contract, intellectual property and commercial law and the ability to draft to a high standard, work independently and engage with internal stakeholders with support and supervision from senior solicitors.

UAL’s Legal Services team provides advice, support and representation on a broad range of issues across the University and deals with a wide range of contentious and non-contentious matters and the right candidate will be willing to expand their knowledge and assist with a wide variety of different matters.

The key duties of this role are:

• Reviewing, drafting and advising on a variety of agreements including consultancy, agency, grants, research and development, confidentiality, data sharing/processing, supply and purchase, scholarship, sponsorship and development, collaboration, academic, student agreements – plus other diverse student, commercial and publicly funded project agreements;
• Advising generally on intellectual property law, charity law and regulatory matters.

About you

You are a qualified solicitor who has gained contracts experience in private practice or an in-house legal team. You are looking to take the next step in your career to grow your skills.

You need to be able to write fluently and have the ability to convey highly technical information in a clear way.

Importantly, you have a strong commercial focus and an excellent grasp of legal and commercial work across a broad range of projects. You will also have a good working knowledge or some experience of intellectual property law issues.

Detail conscious, you approach work with a practical and proactive mind-set – quickly identifying problems, understanding the context and proposing constructive commercial solutions.

Knowledge of or an interest in higher education law would be an advantage. Individuals with a range of experience in private or in-house environments are welcomed.

The essential criteria for this post are:

• Qualified to practise as a solicitor in England and Wales with post-qualification experience in respect of contract and commercial law gained within private practice or an in-house legal team;
• Excellent drafting skills and the ability to provide clear and practical advice;
• Experience of working under pressure and to strict deadlines;
• Good research skills and a willingness to maintain and expand your legal knowledge.

UAL is committed to creating diverse and inclusive environments for all staff and students to work and learn – a university where we can be ourselves and reach our full potential. We offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and Staff Support Networks. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds, including race, disability, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion and belief, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, and caring responsibility.