Legal Counsel

We are seeking a commercially minded solicitor to join the in-house legal team at Mountain Warehouse. The role will focus on commercial property and commercial contracts, supporting our store portfolio and wider business operations.

Working closely with the Head of Legal, Property, Finance, Buying and Operations teams, you will provide clear, practical advice, manage your own matters and help the business achieve its objectives while identifying and managing legal risk.

Key Responsibilities

Commercial property
- Advise on and negotiate retail leases, lease renewals, agreements for lease, licences to occupy and associated property documents.
- Support store openings, relocations and closures, including assignments, underlettings, surrenders and licences for alterations.
- Advise on day-to-day landlord and tenant matters, including repairing obligations, service charges, rent reviews, break rights and dilapidations.
- Review property documentation, identify material risks and explain their commercial implications to internal stakeholders.
- Instruct and manage external property solicitors, monitoring progress, costs and key deadlines.
- Help maintain accurate property records and systems for monitoring lease obligations and critical dates.

Commercial contracts
- Draft, review and negotiate a range of commercial agreements, including supplier, services, logistics, consultancy, IT, marketing and confidentiality agreements.
- Advise on contractual risk, including liability, indemnities, termination rights, payment terms and dispute resolution.
- Support the procurement and operational teams throughout contract negotiations.
- Assist with contractual disputes and work with the business and external advisers to achieve practical resolutions.
- Develop and maintain contract templates, guidance and approval processes.

Wider legal support
- Provide timely, accessible advice to colleagues across the business.
- Support retail matters involving consumer law, advertising, intellectual property and data protection, with guidance from the Head of Legal or specialist advisers where required.
- Identify matters requiring escalation and keep the Head of Legal informed of significant risks and developments.
- Deliver practical training and guidance to help colleagues understand key legal obligations.
- Support other legal projects as the needs of the business develop.

We would like to meet someone who is

Essential
- Qualified solicitor in England and Wales with approximately 3-5 years’ post-qualification experience.
- Strong experience in commercial property, particularly landlord and tenant work.
- Experience drafting, reviewing and negotiating commercial contracts.
- Sound legal drafting skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to translate legal issues into clear, proportionate commercial advice.
- Confidence managing a varied workload, prioritising competing deadlines and taking ownership of matters, with appropriate supervision.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to build effective relationships with colleagues and external advisers.

Desirable
- Experience advising retailers or businesses with substantial leasehold property portfolios.
- Previous in-house experience or a client secondment.
- Familiarity with consumer law, advertising, intellectual property or data protection issues arising in a retail environment.

Personal approach You will be practical, organised and comfortable working in a fast-moving business. You should be willing to understand how the business operates, exercise sound judgement and propose workable solutions. You will have the confidence to progress matters independently while recognising when to seek guidance or escalate an issue.

Benefits

- Competitive salary and benefits package
- Hybrid working, 3 days in London based office & 2 working from home
- Holiday allowance
- 50% staff discount & 25% for family and friends
- Pension scheme