Commercial Legal Counsel

What You’ll Do

• Advise on bids and negotiate client design-services agreements, helping teams understand the risks and commercial choices involved.
• Negotiate subconsultant appointments and support clear, workable contracting arrangements across project teams.
• Partner with teams throughout the project lifecycle – help set projects up well, advise on contractual matters as they arise, and support additional-fee and extension-of-time claims where appropriate.
• Support the resolution of disputes when needed, working with external advisers where appropriate.
• Develop templates, guidance and training that make good commercial practice and active risk management easier to apply.
• Contribute, as needed, to wider business matters such as registrations, professional licensure, insurance and leases.

What You’ll Bring

• Qualification as solicitor in England and Wales, or equivalent legal qualification and authorisation to practise in England and Wales in a capacity appropriate to this role.
• Around five years’ relevant commercial legal experience, gained in-house or in private practice, including negotiating professional-services contracts.
• Experience in architecture, engineering or construction is preferred, and experience of construction disputes would be beneficial.
• Clear, practical judgement and the ability to build trusted relationships with colleagues and advisers.
• The initiative and organisation to work autonomously, manage competing priorities and know when to bring others in.
• Confidence with everyday digital tools and curiosity about how technology, including AI, can support legal work responsibly.

What you can expect

• A competitive benefits package
• Opportunities for professional development, ongoing learning and career progression within a global, multidisciplinary practice.
• A collaborative and supportive working environment, with opportunities to work alongside talented colleagues across our UK, Europe and Middle East studios.
• The opportunity to contribute to exciting, high-profile projects and make a meaningful impact on the way our business manages legal and commercial risk.

Apply Today

If this sounds like an exciting next step for your career and an opportunity where you could have a real impact, we’d be delighted to receive your application.

Perkins&Will and Portland Design are equal opportunity employers and welcome talent from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. We believe that different viewpoints and ideas lead to better solutions for our clients, strengthen our communities and enrich our working environment.