Commercial Legal Counsel

We are looking for an experienced Commercial Legal Counsel to join our in-house legal team in London and work alongside studio leaders, architects and project teams to help bring ambitious design projects to life.

Our projects span the built environment, including healthcare, higher education, civic, science and technology, corporate interiors, masterplanning and urban design.

You’ll provide practical and commercial legal advice across the UK, Europe and Middle East – from bids and contract negotiations through to project delivery. You’ll help colleagues navigate competing priorities, manage risk and make informed decisions at key moments across the project lifecycle. This is a role for someone who enjoys being close to the work, earning trust and helping teams find a way forward. 

The role is based in our London studio.  

 

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 is an equal opportunity employer and supports talent from diverse backgrounds that bring experiences, viewpoints and solutions that best serve our clients, community and enrich our work environment. We greatly appreciates your interest in our firm and the time you have taken to apply for this position; we look forward to reviewing your application. We will aim to contact successful candidates within four working weeks but depending on the time of year and number of applications, this timeline might vary.

As per GDPR Guidelines, Perkins&Will will keep your application documents on file for six months after you submit your application to us. After this time frame, if you would like us to additionally remove your contact details from our internal system, please reach out to us directly via the email London.recruitment@perkinswill.com

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