Legal Counsel

Brightwater Recruitment; Dublin; Hybrid; EUR 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Leading Global Financial Services Group in Dublin seeks an experienced Legal Counsel specializing in pensions and trusts. The role offers high-autonomy in-house counsel work with flexibility, including options for part-time or full-time hours.

You will advise on pensions, trust law, and regulatory matters, supporting trustee entities, with governance and risk-management duties. The role requires strong communication with senior stakeholders and board directors.

Qualifications

• Qualified Solicitor / Barrister (ideally 4–6+ years PQE) with a degree in Law, Business, or a related field.
• Solid grounding in Irish pensions and trust law.
• Exposure to broader financial services, life insurance, or investment regulation is a strong distinct advantage.
• Commercial mindset and ability to translate complex legislation into business-focused advice.
• Strong communication and influence with board members and internal audiences.

Responsibilities

• Provide independent, pragmatic legal and regulatory guidance to Ireland-based operations and trustee entities.
• Draft, review, and negotiate complex pension schemes, trust deeds, and related agreements.

Skills

Pensions law

Trust law

Regulatory guidance

Stakeholder engagement

Commercial mindset

Education

Solicitor or Barrister

Law degree

Job description

Legal Counsel – Pensions & Trusts | Leading Global Financial Services Group

Hybrid: 2–3 days in office/week)

Working Pattern: Open to Full-Time or Part-Time arrangements

Experience Level: Ideal candidate 4–6+ years PQE

Are you an experienced Pensions or Financial Services Solicitor looking for high-autonomy in-house counsel work without sacrificing life outside the office?

A market-leading global financial institution is seeking a strategic Legal Counsel to join their established legal team in Dublin. This role offers an exceptional balance: complex, high-value pensions and trust advisory work alongside true flexibility, including options for structured part-time or full-time hours.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• True Work-Life Flexibility: The organization knows top legal talent comes in many schedules. Whether a candidate prefers a 4-day week or full-time flexibility, they open the conversation from day one.
• In-House Autonomy: Position yourself as a trusted advisor to senior business stakeholders and trustee board directors rather than churning billable hours.
• Hybrid Working Culture: Based out of a modern office in Blackrock, Dublin, with a flexible setup requiring just 2–3 office days per week.
• Variety of Work: Beyond core pensions advice, broaden your portfolio into broader insurance, investment, and commercial law.

The Role

As Legal Counsel, you will provide independent, pragmatic legal and regulatory guidance to the organization's business operations and dedicated trustee entities in Ireland.

• Key Responsibilities:Advisory: Deliver clear, commercial advice on pensions, trust law, and relevant regulatory frameworks across life and investment operations.
• Drafting & Negotiation: Draft, review, and advise on complex pension schemes, trust deeds, commercial agreements, and legal documentation.
• Governance: Provide company secretarial support and governance oversight to internal trustee companies.
• Risk Management: Help shape commercial strategy by identifying legal and regulatory risks early and guiding effective mitigation.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Act as a key business partner to executive management, trustee boards, and external legal counsel.
• What They Are Looking ForQualification: Qualified Solicitor / Barrister (ideally 4–6+ years PQE) with a degree in Law, Business, or a related field.
• Core Expertise: Solid grounding in Irish pensions and trust law. Exposure to broader financial services, life insurance, or investment regulation is a strong distinct advantage.
• Commercial Mindset: Ability to translate complex legislative requirements into pragmatic, business-focused advice.
• Communication & Influence: Proven skills in negotiating, building rapport with board members, and tailoring complex advice to diverse internal audiences.