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Legal Counsel

Competitive Salary

London

Founded in 1843 to support the cause of free trade, The Economist is and always has been a publication of sometimes radical opinion with a reverence for facts. It is firmly established as one of the world’s most authoritative and influential publications. The Economist is the core of The Economist Group, which also comprises: a client solutions business, serving clients’ marketing and public relations needs through its unique products and services; the Economist Intelligence Unit, a research, analysis and consulting business in the B2B space; and an events business. The Economist Group delivers its products and marketing services through a range of formats and media: from magazines to data sets, research reports and conferences, and in digital, print, audio and film. What ties the Group together is the objectivity of its opinion, the originality of its insight and its advocacy of economic and political freedom around the world. It employs over 1,300 staff globally.

Reporting to the Chief Legal and Corporate Development Officer, the Legal Counsel will join the small legal team and provide legal support and counsel to the Group worldwide, to help it execute its commercial and corporate strategy, protect it against legal risk and safeguard its intellectual property rights. The job is based in London but works across the globe, in particular the US, Europe and Asia. The role has the potential to manage another lawyer and/or the contract management team for the right candidate.

Key accountabilities:

  • Provide clear, high-quality legal advice on a wide range of commercial and corporate issues throughout the Group;
  • Prepare, review and negotiate contracts, including, for example, content licensing, subscription, sponsorship and advertising sales agreements, in both B2B and B2C markets;
  • Ensure that the Group and its websites comply with applicable laws and regulations, for example relating to e-commerce, marketing and data protection;
  • Protect the Group’s brands and other intellectual property;
  • Manage and advise on litigation and claims by and against the Group;
  • To assist with the execution of the Group’s strategy, in particular in connection with acquisitions and the integration of acquired businesses into the Group.

The successful candidate will be a qualified solicitor with 2-6 years’ PQE*. You will have commercial and/or corporate experience from a law firm and possibly in-house. Knowledge and experience of media-related issues, such as IP law, content licensing, brand and content protection, e-commerce and data protection are a plus, but not essential. You must be a self-starter who is able to work independently but also within a collegiate atmosphere. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate and influence effectively at all levels is essential to success in this role.

*Candidates with more or less PQE will not be precluded from applying for the role.

The Economist is an equal opportunities employer and actively encourages a diverse range of applicants to apply for this role.

To apply for this role, please contact our exclusively retained consultant Rosamund More at Robert Walters by clicking the 'Apply' button.

All direct or third party applications will be forwarded to Robert Walters for their consideration.