Busy Firms, Bigger In-House Teams?
Sustained growth at the big firms is a sign in-house teams are stretched, and stretched teams eventually get bigger.
In-House Legal Counsel – Commercial & Financial Services
I'm interestedSUMMARY
An opportunity for an In-House Lawyer to join a national financial services organisation on a 12-month contract. Supporting a collaborative legal team, you will advise the business on a broad mix of commercial contracts, insurance operations, regulatory compliance and legal risk.
This is a genuinely varied in-house legal role offering exposure to operational and strategic matters across the organisation, with flexible hybrid working from Sydney CBD.
THE COMPANY
This established Australian financial services company supports customers nationwide and operates from multiple offices across the country, with a strong presence along the east coast.
The organisation operates within a regulated financial services environment, and its legal function plays an important role in advising the business on commercial law, regulatory compliance, insurance operations and legal risk.
You will join a supportive in-house legal team that works closely with operational and corporate stakeholders to deliver practical, commercially focused legal advice.
THE ROLE
As Legal Counsel, you will manage a diverse portfolio of commercial, insurance and regulatory legal matters across the organisation.
Working closely with business leaders, you will provide practical guidance that supports day-to-day operations while ensuring compliance with relevant financial services and corporate law frameworks.
Key responsibilities include:
• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating a range of commercial contracts and legal agreements
• Providing legal advice on insurance operations, distribution arrangements, product wording and regulatory obligations
• Managing legal matters end-to-end, including briefing and coordinating external counsel where required
• Advising on financial services regulation, including obligations under relevant insurance and corporate law frameworks
• Supporting the development of internal policies, precedents and legal training to strengthen legal awareness across the business
• Working with internal stakeholders to identify and manage legal risk, support regulatory responses and maintain accurate reporting of legal matters
This role offers strong exposure to the commercial and operational side of a national financial services business, making it well-suited to lawyers who enjoy a broad, business-facing in-house legal counsel position.
ABOUT YOU
You are an Australian Legal Practitioner with experience advising on commercial or financial services law, either in-house or in private practice.
You enjoy working closely with business stakeholders and are comfortable providing clear, pragmatic advice in a regulated commercial environment.
You will bring:
• 5+ years’ PQE gained in private practice or an in-house legal environment
• Experience advising on financial services, insurance or corporate/commercial law
• Knowledge of relevant regulatory frameworks such as the Corporations Act, Insurance Contracts Act or similar regimes
• Strong experience drafting and negotiating commercial contracts
• The ability to manage legal matters independently and prioritise competing workstreams
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills and the ability to translate complex legal issues into practical guidance
• A pragmatic, commercially focused approach to legal risk and compliance
ON OFFER
• 12-month contract opportunity as Legal Counsel within a national financial services organisation
• Ownership of a varied portfolio spanning contracts, insurance operations and regulatory matters
• Hybrid working with flexibility to be based in Sydney CBD
• Generous annual and volunteer leave, wellbeing initiatives, discounted gym access and flexible working
• Supportive and collaborative in-house legal team with ongoing coaching and professional development
• Opportunity to work directly with business leaders where legal advice informs commercial decision-making
WHY APPLY?
This opportunity will appeal to lawyers who want:
• A broad in-house Legal Counsel role in a regulated financial services environment
• Strong exposure to commercial contracts, insurance operations and regulatory compliance
• A genuinely business-facing legal role working closely with operational leaders
• Ownership of matters across legal risk, compliance and commercial law
• The flexibility of a hybrid role based in Sydney CBD
• Experience within a national Australian financial services company operating in a fast-moving commercial environment
NEXT STEPS
This role is moving quickly. If this opportunity is of interest, please apply via SEEK.
For a confidential discussion, contact Andrew Murdoch at Dovetail Legal Recruitment.
