Fragomen Worldwide

Job Description

Senior Legal Counsel, EMEA

Frankfurt, Brussels, Amsterdam, Dublin

Fragomen are recruiting for a qualified lawyer of 4-8 years PQE, with a background in commercial law who possesses strong, pragmatic international business acumen and can bring value to the Office of General Counsel and senior business leaders by finding solutions to complex legal and business problems with a hands-on and global approach. 

About us:

Fragomen is the world’s leading exclusive provider of immigration services. We are a firm of more than 6,200 immigration-focused professionals and staff spanning more than 60 offices worldwide. Immigration has been our sole focus for 70 years, and today we offer support in more than 170 countries. We are problem-solvers, innovators and established thought leaders in immigration, providing strategic immigration advice to a diverse range of clients from individuals to the world’s leading multinational corporations.

Fragomen’s professionals are respected thought leaders in the immigration field providing expertise to governments across the world including the US Congress, the UK Parliament, the European Union and the United Nations.

A career at Fragomen will provide you with the opportunity to work in an exciting environment for a broad range of clients, where no two days will be the same. You will face interesting challenges and you will work with dedicated, friendly and ambitious people, where providing exceptional client service is at the core of what we do. We are extremely proud of our diverse workforce at Fragomen and we are fully committed to providing equal opportunities. We believe that our differences make us stronger.

About the team:

The EMEA Office of General Counsel is one of the corporate teams supporting the firm’s core business. The team assists with a wide range of transactional, company secretarial and advisory legal work across EMEA, including: commercial contracts (clients and suppliers); employment; property; tenders and RFPs; professional regulation; compliance; sanctions; litigation; and data privacy. As part of the team, you will work with OGC and non-OGC colleagues around the world as well as with local advisors supporting Fragomen in various locations. 

About the role:

Reporting to the Associate General Counsel for EMEA based in the Firm’s London office, the position will involve the provision of legal counsel and assistance to the Firm’s EMEA offices as well as the opportunity to work with the Associate General Counsel covering Asia Pacific, US and LATAM on additional international projects.

Other key responsibilities will include:

• Contracts: The Firm enters into long term contracts with its major corporate customers – often following a detailed RFP process. Together with other corporate functions, OGC works alongside partners and senior managers to win new clients and negotiate the Firm’s contracts with them. The Firm’s significant contracts on the supply side are also negotiated by the OGC team – such as agreements with suppliers, co-counsel and office leases. 
• Sanctions: Assist in determining whether certain work can be performed.
• Anti-money laundering: Assist in assessment of contracts and engagements; provide training to staff.
• Know your clients: Assist in the onboarding of new clients and provide training to staff..
• Corporate secretarial: Attend to key governance functions.
• Ad hoc projects, including working on future new office openings.
• Assist with responding to client related surveys and questionnaires regarding the Firm's legal and compliance initiatives.

About you:

The successful candidate for this role will be an enthusiastic qualified lawyer with a background in contract negotiation and drafting skills. You will have experience in managing projects as well as compiling and delivering training. Ideally you will already be in an in-house role or have a strong desire to move in-house.

Also required:

• Experience of operating within an international legal environment, supporting global clients with cross border legal issues.
• Experience in corporate, commercial contract, and money laundering laws.
• Experience of practising at a large or mid-sized law firm, preferably one with a substantial global practice; ideally augmented by experience in-house.
• Able to deal effectively with strategic issues as well as tactical operational details.
• Excellent interpersonal, relationship management and communication skills. Understanding of cultural differences and ways of working.
• Gravitas, credibility and self‐confidence. Must be a team player.
• A strong sense of professional pride and a strong work ethic; a proactive, enthusiastic and flexible approach.
• Exemplary personal and professional integrity and business ethics, as well as a commitment to diversity and a respect for others.
• Superior writing and oral communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to adapt style and format to the audience while maintaining substance.

Fragomen is committed to promoting diversity, inclusion and equal opportunity for all employees and applicants, regardless of race, ethnicity, heritage, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or intersex status.