Legal Counsel / Senior Legal Counsel

Company: Barker Morris Legal Search
Apply for the Legal Counsel / Senior Legal Counsel
Location: Milton Keynes
Job Description:

Job Description

Legal Counsel or Senior Legal Counsel 4+PQE

Milton Keynes (Hybrid)

Corporate & M&A Focus (In-House)

A leading, NYSE-listed business is seeking to appoint a Corporate lawyer into its UK legal team during a period of significant transformation.

The business operates a large, multi-brand network across the UK and the US and is currently undergoing active portfolio reshaping, including acquisitions, disposals, and integration activity.

As a result, corporate and M&A work sits at the heart of this role, rather than being ancillary.

The Role

This is a high-impact in-house position offering genuine exposure to strategic corporate matters.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Supporting M&A activity, including acquisitions, disposals, integrations, and restructuring projects
  • Advising on wider corporate and strategic initiatives aligned to business growth
  • Supporting on commercial contracts
  • Supporting governance and board-level matters as required
  • Working closely with senior stakeholders across finance, compliance, procurement, and the executive team
  • Managing two paralegals, who handle litigation matters and some commercial

Candidate profile

  • Qualified lawyer with corporate and M&A experience
  • Background in private practice and/or in-house
  • Commercially pragmatic and comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment
  • Confident engaging with senior stakeholders on strategic matters

Package & Location

  • Location: Milton Keynes (hybrid working)
  • Salary
  • Bonus
  • Benefits: Pension, private medical, company car scheme

Why This Role?

  • Meaningful involvement in M&A and corporate transformation
  • High visibility within a lean in-house legal function
  • Opportunity to influence and help shape the legal team during a period of change
  • Exposure to senior leadership and business-critical decision-making

This is a rare opportunity for a lawyer seeking a genuinely corporate-leaning in-house role with real M&A exposure.

Posted: March 30th, 2026