Solicitor (Maternity Cover)

CPI helps make great ideas and inventions a reality. We’re a team of intelligent people using advances in science and technology to solve the biggest global challenges in healthcare and sustainability.

Through our incredible people and innovation infrastructure, we collaborate with our partners in industry, academia, government, and the investment community to accelerate the development and commercialisation of innovative products.

From health technologies and pharmaceuticals to sustainable food and materials innovations, we turn the entrepreneurial spirit and radical thinking of our people and partners into incredible impact that makes our world a better place.

As a solicitor you will join a well respected team responsible for providing in house legal support to the CPI Group of Companies. This is an exciting opportunity for you to work with a friendly, supportive and pragmatic Legal Team for 12 months on a wide variety of legal matters such as commercial agreements, confidentiality agreements, intellectual property, employment advice and construction and property advice. Transactions may be complex and can range from thousands of pounds up to several million pounds.

The Solicitor will report to one of the Legal Team’s General Counsel and Company Secretary and will support their colleagues in whatever legal tasks are required from time to time, and will provide legal advice to internal clients at all levels within the business. You will pick up the work of our colleague on maternity leave. We will ensure a handover of her work and that we provide full support to you in doing that.

This is fast paced role where you will be able to take responsibility for your own matters where appropriate with the ability to call upon more senior members of the team for support where you require it. Key tasks in the role will include (but are not limited to) the below:

• Advising on corporate and commercial matters, including co-ordinating and liaising with external legal support from the Group’s panel on very complex matters.
• Providing contract law and intellectual property advice, including advising on terms and conditions, and assisting internal clients as one of the main legal points of contact for the extensive range of NDAs put in place across the business monthly.
• Assisting in dealing with general commercial contracting matters.
• Assisting in relation to any disputes relating to a breach of contract with staff, customers, partners, or third parties.
• Assisting the Legal Team in providing legal support to the HR, Procurement and other teams across the Group.
• Assisting with providing legal training to CPI Group staff on legal matters.

We are fortunate to deal with a very broad variety of work. We don’t expect the successful candidate to have experience in every area. We are looking for someone with a can do attitude and enough commercial legal experience to be able to deal with matters confidently but also know when to ask a colleague for guidance.

We are looking for a candidate who has previous experience of working in a commercial law firm or within industry as an in-house lawyer. 

It is essential you have knowledge of basic commercial contracts, preferably with an intellectual property context and have a track record of providing pragmatic, commercial advice. 

The successful candidate will be educated to degree level (or equivalent) in a business related or legal discipline and must either be chartered legal executive or a qualified solicitor in England and Wales with a current Practising Certificate. 

At CPI, we offer a wide range of benefits to our employees, this includes:

• Up to 36 days holiday, including bank holidays – Plus a holiday purchasing scheme
• Generous pension scheme
• Life assurance and accident insurance schemes
• Flexible working
• Learning and Development Opportunities
• Free parking

Find out more about our culture and benefits.

This position is fixed-term for 12 months.

CPI is an organisation based in the UK. Commencement of employment is conditional to demonstrating right to work in the UK, sponsorship may be available.