Job Description

We're looking for a motivated individual to join the busy In-House General Counsel Team in our Newcastle or Leeds office. The Assistant In-House Counsel will play a key role in the established team, ensuring compliance throughout the Firm by Partners, Managers and Employees with the regulatory arrangements of the Firm, particularly concerning the Solicitors Regulation Authority alongside relevant legislation and professional guidance.

What will I be doing?

Promoting and embedding a healthy risk and regulatory culture Firm-wide, providing advice to Partners and employees. Handling and resolving internal matters relating to conflicts of interest, Professional Indemnity Insurance, complaints, data breaches, engagement letters and contractual terms. Supporting fee-earners to mitigate risk, researching and giving clear guidance and advice. Meeting with Partners and Business Service heads to discuss current risk and compliance issues. Anticipating and mitigating risks to the Firm and producing related guidance. Applying knowledge of SRA guidance and obligations to ensure Firmwide compliance with SRA rules, regulations and legislation and reviewing breaches. Supporting the team (and firm) with data protection compliance including managing subject access requests.

You'll have

Contentious experience (essential). Experience in a similar role (desirable). Strong knowledge of SRA standards, guidance and regulations. Experience of conflict resolution. Strong communication and organisational skills. Ability to maintain discretion and confidentiality.

About us

We're proud to be an independent, full-service law firm providing exceptional legal expertise to businesses, the built environment, healthcare, the public and third sectors, and private individuals. With several office locations around the UK we're one of the UK's Top 100 law firms. When you join us you'll be part of a team of over 500 passionate and talented individuals who take pride in offering an exciting and supportive environment allowing you to thrive.


We're passionate about promoting wellbeing and equality, diversity and inclusion, with dedicated committees to support ongoing efforts. We recognise that a healthy and thriving Firm filled with individuality and differences strengthen our teams, our clients and our communities.

What we can offer you

We're committed to being a firm focused on support, development, wellbeing and inclusion and we're always striving to improve. Our commitment to this has been recognised by our achievement of our Gold Investors in People award and by our Hive HR Employee Voice certification.


We reward our people with a whole range of benefits, some core and some flexible, designed to shape a reward package that's right for you - now and in the future. Our core benefits include:

An enhanced pension scheme with employer matched contributions of up to 6%. 25 days annual leave + bank holidays (increasing to 28 days with length of service). There is also the option to purchase up to 5 additional days. Life assurance cover of 4 times basic salary, with the option to purchase additional cover. A range of health and well being benefits. Hybrid working with a minimum requirement of 2 days per week working from one of our office locations. We also have a flexible benefits programme where you can purchase a wide range of additional benefits.

If you would like to request further information or to discuss the role, please contact people@wardhadaway.com quoting vacancy reference FIRM.1025.


Should you require any adjustments to be made to our recruitment process, please request a call back via the above email address.

Agencies: please note that we are not working with agencies for this role.