Legal Counsel

Legal Counsel

Durban, South Africa

About James Walker Group

A privately owned Company, James Walker Group provides solutions in sealing, rail track fixation and vibration attenuation. Our three trusted global, industrial brands; James Walker, edilon)(sedra and Tiflex offer high performance products and systems based on advanced materials technology and engineering.

Through decades of investment in people, research and development, manufacturing facilities, technology and distribution infrastructure, we have developed a reputation for high quality products and services. Today the Group employs circa 2,000 people and has a manufacturing and sales presence in 30 countries.

Your Role

Are you an experienced Commercial Lawyer looking for a new challenge with a global remit? If so, we want you to join the James Walker Legal team as a Legal Counsel.

Reporting to the Head of Legal and Commercial Contracts based in the UK, you will work together to improve the legal operations, provide legal support to the global sales and procurement teams and other departments responsible for product engineering, technology and marketing. Using your experience and knowledge, you’ll help the James Walker Group improve legal compliance and support with special projects.

The working hours for this role are Monday – Friday and would need to cover 9am to 5pm UK time.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide legal support to our sales and procurement functions globally.
• Provide legal advice and carry out research on laws and regulations.
• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide variety of manufacturing, procurement, sales, and other business-related contracts with minimal supervision.
• Draft guidelines, policies, and templates.
• Advise on contentious matters including managing external counsel and negotiating settlements.
• Provide legal support on compliance matters (e.g. GDPR/privacy, anti-bribery, sanctions, export control, and modern slavery).
• Liaise with the other members of the legal team.
• Assist in the further development of the Legal Department and promote best practices across the organisation.
• Assist in training the various business teams on legal issues.

Competencies:

As a Legal Counsel, you will need excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to communicate and build relationships with different stakeholders globally across the James Walker organisation. The position requires attention to detail and the ability to provide commercially sound legal advice in a fast-paced environment.

• Good drafting and negotiation skills with the ability to craft bespoke clauses.
• Able to explain legal issues in plain English and provide legal solutions that meet the business’ needs.
• Excellent planning, attention to detail, organisational and time management skills with the ability to work to tight time schedules, prioritising and handling conflicting demands.
• A proactive, can-do approach to problem-solving.
• Able to work with minimal supervision and as part of a team.
• Able to communicate and build relationships with stakeholders, including colleagues, Board members, customer’s lawyer and external partners.

Experience/Qualifications:

• Qualified Lawyer in India or a common law jurisdiction with basic understanding of English Law. As guidance, someone with 2 to 5 years post qualified experience.
• Working knowledge of intellectual property, GDPR/privacy, export control and sanctions laws, anti-bribery and modern slavery.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams and Outlook.
• Experienced in carrying out legal research and providing legal advice that is pragmatic.

Helpful:

• Has experience being in an in-house legal team or provided legal advice to engineering clients.
• Experience in legal projects and legal project management.
• Experience in supporting the sales or procurement function.
• Public sector, defence sector or oil and gas contracting experience.
• Export control and trade compliance experience.