Legal Counsel Maternity Cover; PQE

An excellent opportunity has arisen for a Lawyer to step into a high-profile, government-adjacent in-house legal role offering real responsibility and intellectually engaging work at the intersection of public law, regulation and complex commercial contracts matters.

We are working with a nationally significant insurance organisation operating in a unique statutory and public policy environment. The business has a small, collegiate legal team and they are seeking a Legal Counsel (2–5 PQE) to join on a maternity cover basis, starting as soon as possible.

This role would particularly suit a Lawyer with experience from central government, an arm’s-length body or public sector regulator who is looking for:

• broader commercial exposure,
• closer proximity to senior decision-making, and
• a pragmatic, business-facing in-house environment.

The successful Legal Counsel can look forward to working closely with the General Counsel and senior management. You will provide clear, practical and solutions-focused legal advice across the organisation and its subsidiary entities, helping to manage legal and regulatory risk while supporting the delivery of public-interest objectives.

This is a genuinely varied role, combining public law with commercial contracts, governance and risk work, offering day-to-day autonomy alongside senior support.

• Support proportionate and effective procurement and contracting processes, including maintaining standard terms and conditions and drafting and reviewing third-party contracts with outsourced and external providers.
• Review and improve processes, procedures and contractual documentation to ensure legal, regulatory and governmental compliance.
• Assist with key contractual arrangements involving central government and industry stakeholders, including reviewing and considering amendments to framework and reinsurance agreements.
• Provide legal support on risk‑mitigation and counter‑terrorism‑related projects delivered in collaboration with government departments.
• Research and advise on a wide range of legal issues, including:
  • public law and public procurement;
  • regulatory matters;
  • competition and subsidy control;
  • commercial and contract law; and
  • intellectual property.
• Review external publications and stakeholder communications from a legal and regulatory perspective.
• Track and interpret legal and regulatory developments, proposing clear actions where required.
• Support special projects (e.g. insurance‑linked securities, policy development).
• Assist with drafting and reviewing legal, regulatory and compliance policies.
• Prepare reports for senior management and contribute to governance, risk and compliance planning.
• Work closely with governance colleagues on data protection and privacy.

• Qualified solicitor (England & Wales or equivalent).
• 2–5 years’ PQE.
• Strong grounding in public, regulatory or commercial law.
• Excellent drafting skills and the ability to explain complex legal issues clearly and pragmatically.
• Confident working with senior stakeholders in a politically and reputationally sensitive environment.

• Experience gained in:
  • a central government department;
  • an arm’s-length body or regulator; or
  • a commercial insurer, reinsurer or leading law firm.
• Knowledge of procurement, governance, competition or data protection law.

• Meaningful, public‑interest work with real‑world impact
• Broader commercial exposure than most government legal roles
• Close access to senior decision‑makers and boards
• High‑quality in‑house experience without private practice hours
• An extremely friendly and collaborative culture with strong values
• Salary up to £120,000
• Competitive benefits
• Hybrid working
• Immediate start available

If you’re a Legal Counsel available at short notice who would enjoy working in a small, close‑knit team doing exciting work in this space, please apply today to be considered!

As part of EJ Legal’s candidate registration and care process all successful applications are responded to within 14 working days. If you have not been contacted within this timescale your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion. We may keep your details on our system on a confidential basis for future opportunities. If you would prefer us not to do this, please let us know.