Legal Counsel | Group Legal | Corporate Services

• The Legal Counsel provides comprehensive legal support to ensure the organization's operations align with legal standards and minimize risk. This involves managing litigation matters, overseeing commercial agreements, and protecting intellectual property. The role acts as a pivotal advisor to business units, offering strategic and practical legal solutions to enhance business growth and efficiency. Success in this role requires balancing risk management with proactive legal counsel to drive business objectives.

Litigation & Dispute Management

• Manage and oversee litigation matters, including labor, commercial, and civil disputes.
• Coordinate with external counsel, review pleadings, attend hearings when required, and provide strategic litigation advice.
• Advise management on risk exposure, settlement strategies, and dispute prevention.
• Maintain litigation trackers, budgets, and management reports.

Commercial Agreements & Day-to-Day Legal Advice

• Draft, review, and negotiate commercial contracts including service agreements, supply agreements, NDAs, SLAs, consultancy agreements, and MOUs.
• Provide ongoing legal advice to business teams on operational and commercial matters.
• Identify legal risks and propose practical, business-oriented solutions.

Trademarks, IP & Brand Protection

• Manage the trademarks portfolio including registration, renewals, oppositions, and enforcement.
• Advise on intellectual property protection, licensing, and brand usage.
• Coordinate with external IP agents and ensure regulatory compliance.

Franchise, Agency & Distribution Agreements

• Draft, review, and negotiate franchise, agency, distribution, and licensing agreements.
• Advise on regulatory and commercial implications of franchise and agency models.
• Support onboarding, renewals, amendments, and termination of franchise relationships.

Leasing & Real Estate

• Review and negotiate lease agreements, amendments, renewals, and termination notices.
• Advise on fit-out obligations, handover conditions, penalties, and exit strategies.
• Coordinate with real estate, finance, and operations teams.

Corporate & Governance Support

• Assist with corporate governance matters including board resolutions and delegated authorities.
• Support compliance with corporate and commercial laws.
• Assist with internal audits and regulatory inquiries.

Stakeholder Management

• Act as a trusted advisor to internal stakeholders.
• Liaise with regulators, authorities, and external legal counsel.
• Contribute to improving legal processes, templates, and internal policies.

• Excellent drafting and negotiation skills.
• Strong commercial awareness and risk assessment ability.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.

• Bachelor's degree in Law (LLB or equivalent).
• 5-8 years of relevant legal experience, preferably in-house.
• Strong experience in litigation, commercial contracts, leasing, and IP matters.
• Experience in franchising, retail, or hospitality sectors is an advantage.