In House Counsel 5+Commercial/Corporate

Company: Clifton Search
Apply for the In House Counsel 5+Commercial/Corporate
Location: Bristol
Job Description:

In House Counsel Commercial/Corporate 5+pqe guide (4 or 5 days)

Our client is a global leader operating within the industrial and manufacturing sector.

As part of an established in house legal function, you will provide a wide variety of commercial and corporate legal advice within a dynamic and complex business environment.

We are looking for a versatile Commercial lawyer with a solid Corporate background.

This is primarily a commercial role with the requirement to lead on M&A when the situation arises.

Key responsibilities

  • Act as a key contact for stakeholders in a range of business units and corporate support departments to help influence and implement business strategy and direction.

  • Act as a primary contact for the UK sales subsidiary providing day‑to‑day advice to sales and marketing colleagues.

  • Review, draft and negotiate high-value, complex commercial contracts with customers, sales intermediaries, suppliers, service providers and other key business partners.

  • The go-to contact for M&A within the team, advising the business on acquisitions.

  • Support the business with responses to tenders and customer queries.

  • Support on L&S change and process improvement projects that underpin the business’s key objectives across multiple disciplines.

  • Support operational and commercial functions with day-to-day legal queries and issues.

  • Work with product development teams to ensure compliance with commercial and IP frameworks.

  • Assist in maintaining the L&S team’s templates, precedents and other know-how materials.

  • Provide practical solutions to complex legal problems as a key business partner.

  • Support senior lawyers as required, both in the UK and internationally.

Key requirements

  • Qualified solicitor (UK) with 5+ pqe and experience in delivering pragmatic, commercial legal advice in a demanding private practice or in-house environment.

  • Excellent drafting commercial contracts experience

  • Strong interpersonal and relationship building skills

  • Corporate M&A Experience

  • High quality training in a UK Private Practice

Desirable

  • Working in house – ideally within the manufacturing or industrial sectors

  • Mergers and acquisitions experience (essential)

  • Real estate and property

  • Construction

  • Software licensing and AI

  • Contract management and other legal tools

**This is a role requiring office presence 3 days per week. The offices are easily commutable from Bristol and close to major motorways.

Posted: July 1st, 2026