As a European-qualified lawyer, the individual will be responsible for proactively and efficiently facilitating the business of Aspens commercial including, certain companies in Europe and the Middle East (Aspen) by efficiently servicing the legal, contracting and commercial legal advice, including from time to time, corporate, regulatory, compliance, litigation and other general legal requirements of Aspen, complying with Aspen Legal protocol and strategy, working as a team in the Group Legal structure, directed out of the headquarters, with strategic direction from the Headquarters based Group Executive: Legal.Key responsibilities include:General
Be responsible for the legal affairs of Aspen;
To provide expert and strategic legal advice;
To provide sound operational and general commercial legal advice;
Be responsible for dispute resolution and litigation management;
Further, to ensure that all Aspen business activities are carried out in compliance with applicable laws.
Commercial Agreements
Responsible for drafting and vetting of complex corporate/commercial agreements including inter alia: supply, distribution, manufacturing, service level, software license, software maintenance and services, advertising agency agreements, sales and marketing and other agreements;
Where required, manage Aspens active agreements for the purposes of identifying Aspens rights and obligations in terms of these agreements;
Manage the execution process of agreements through to filing in the ACL repository.
Legal Opinions - Legal Solutions
Identify the risk profile of the allocated Aspen companies with regards to exposure in, inter alia commercial agreements and offering solutions;
Provide solution-orientated general commercial and other legal opinions so as to facilitate business;
Update Aspen with legislative amendments, recommend and oversee implementation of any necessary changes;
Advise on Labour Law requirements and principles.
Intellectual Property
Liaising with the Group Executive: Legal and/or Group Head: Legal Counsel IP on all IP-related matters, when necessary.
Litigation
Decide on litigation process to be followed, prospects of success and whether to proceed;
Manage litigation process;
Determine the correct approach to litigious matters by assessing and analysing the merits of each matter.
Customer Service
Follow up, resolve and close all queries in the shortest possible timeframe within the policy framework;
Sense of urgency;
At all times have a positive, energetic, business facilitating attitude;
Display a professional attitude when responding to customers needs;
Propose, develop and continuously update methods for improving customer services;
Constantly update internal and external customers as to the progress of their queries/instructions.
Signed Agreement Repository
Ensure the safekeeping of all signed Aspen agreements in accordance with the Aspen Group protocol, in the Aspen Group system, ACL.
Legal Reporting to management and to Group
Prepare and submit monthly legal reports indicating activity and manage targets against such;
Prepare litigation reports and submit same.
Legislative Compliance and reporting
Prepare compliance reports and checklists;
Explanation of legislation and compliance reports;
Manage adherence to the compliance framework of the Group;
Keep up to date with legislation - examine changes / industry trends and changes, raise awareness of changes and implementation of legislation in applicable jurisdictions.
Learning & Growth
Gather information about development needs;
Negotiate training and development with the Line Manager;
Identify, propose and implement learning solutions according to ongoing personal and team development plans;
Encourage best practice to ensure expertise;
Ensure optimal use of electronic support systems from Group, including the File Management System (FMS), the Aspen Contracts Library (ACL);
Encourage best practice to ensure expertise. Co-ordinate up-skilling and multi-skilling in line with team development.
Qualification:Bachelors Degree: an applicable degree in Law, qualified as a Solicitor in a European Country, preferably England & Wales or Ireland.Other ancillary qualifications are an advantage.Skills:Excellent corporate written, spoken, and legal drafting in English underpinned by a can-do attitude.Experience:
10+ years legal experience in a corporate/commercial/operational legal environment
Sound commercial knowledge and experience
General business acumen
Experience in negotiating and drafting legal agreements
Ability and willingness to work effectively in a team