Job Description

At Kwalee, we foster an environment where creativity and collaboration come together. Specialising in both the development and publishing of casual and hybrid casual games, we also bring our creative touch to publishing PC & Console titles, ensuring a diverse and exciting gaming portfolio.
By joining our talented team in Leamington Spa, you'll be part of a space where ideas flow freely, innovation flourishes, and team spirit stays strong. We've found that when we're all together, great things happen. With over 1 billion players already reached, your work will contribute to our shared mission of making the most fun games for the world's players.
Join the team!
We are seeking a talented and pragmatic mid-level Legal Counsel to join our in-house legal team in Leamington Spa. This is a dynamic, hands-on role where you will be a key business partner, providing legal advice on a wide range of issues that are core to Kwalee's video game development and publishing operations. A key part of this role will be to oversee the operational side of the
commercial contracts function, ensuring efficiency and consistency across the business. The ideal candidate will have solid experience across commercial contracts, intellectual property, and experience of interpreting regulatory requirements and translating them into practical means of compliance. An understanding of the evolving regulatory landscape of the video games industry would be a significant advantage.
This is a permanent role based in our Leamington Spa studio, where our daily in-office collaboration fuels creativity and innovation.
Responsibilities

• Commercial & Corporate Oversight: Manage the entire commercial contracts function, including drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a variety of agreements such as; development, licensing, marketing, and vendor contracts. You will also support corporate and M&A activities.
• Intellectual Property (IP) Strategy: Provide strategic advice on protecting company IP, specifically copyright and trademark, and oversee the IP portfolio by coordinating with external legal teams.
• IP Risk Management: Advise on potential IP-related risks such as copyright infringement and fair use, and supervise an in-house researcher on tasks like takedown notices for clone games.
• Global Regulatory Monitoring: Stay current with and advise on emerging global regulations affecting the video games industry, particularly in the UK, EU, and US.
• Online Safety Compliance: Provide legal guidance on compliance with laws like the UK Online Safety Act, focusing on user-to-user services, content moderation, and child safety.
• Data Privacy Compliance: Ensure the company complies with global data protection laws like GDPR and CCPA regarding player data.
• Consumer Protection: Address legal issues related to consumer protection, including in-game purchases, virtual currencies, and monetization models like loot boxes.
• Advertising & Marketing Compliance: Ensure all advertising and marketing campaigns adhere to legal standards and consumer protection laws.
• General Legal Counsel: Offer broad legal advice on various issues like employment law, real estate, and disputes, often with the support of external counsel.
• Legal Operations: Manage external legal counsel, overseeing their work and spending, and help improve legal operations by developing procedures and providing training to the business.

Required Skills

• A qualified lawyer with a minimum of 3-5 years of post-qualification experience (PQE) in a reputable law firm or an in-house legal team.
• Demonstrable experience in commercial contracts, intellectual property, and a working knowledge of data privacy and consumer protection laws.

• Strong drafting and negotiation skills with a keen eye for detail.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate complex legal concepts into clear, actionable business advice for non-legal teams.

• A genuine interest in the video games industry and a passion for technology and media.

Desirable Skills

• Previous in-house experience in a games, tech, or entertainment company, or previous experience in private practice at a firm with a strong video games practice.

• Experience in publishing and digital content licensing.
• Commercially minded with a willingness to find solutions.
• Experience with international commercial and regulatory issues.
• An interest in video games helps but is not essential!

Why Kwalee?We believe in more than just a job-we're committed to helping you thrive with a fantastic work-life balance and a range of great benefits! You'll enjoy comprehensive medical cover, including dental and optical care, life assurance, and a solid pension plan. Plus, you'll have 25 days of holiday to recharge, along with unlimited snacks and drinks to keep you energised throughout the the benefits of an on-site gym, free parking, and convenient electric charging stations. We provide state-of-the-art equipment and plenty of career growth opportunities to set you up for success. And to keep things lively, we host seasonal events, regular townhalls, and share exclusive Kwalee merch. With our dog-friendly policy and a vibrant office atmosphere, there's always something fun going on!
Our Commitment to Diversity & InclusionAt Kwalee, we take pride in being an equal opportunity employer, where we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential to driving creativity. We are committed to creating a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment where everyone can culture is built on celebrating the diverse voices of our team members, fuelling innovation and strengthening our connection to our players. We are dedicated to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion across all areas of life, including age, disability, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual recognise the importance of self-development, career progression, and well-being in retaining our talented team. At Kwalee, we celebrate individuality and encourage everyone to bring their authentic selves to work.

Skills Required