The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the world’s business organization representing over 45 million companies across 170 countries, is actively seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Lawyer to join our esteemed Legal Services department in Paris. This pivotal role offers the chance to work at the heart of the global economy, supporting the General Counsel in delivering comprehensive legal services to our institution and furthering our mission to “make business work for everyone, every day, everywhere.”
Your Role as Senior Lawyer
As a Senior Lawyer at ICC, you will be instrumental in providing expert legal counsel and support across a diverse range of critical areas. Your responsibilities will encompass:
- Providing Strategic Legal Advice: Offer insightful and practical legal advice to the General Counsel on a broad spectrum of legal matters. This includes navigating complex transactional work, corporate law and governance issues, ensuring robust compliance frameworks, and addressing evolving regulatory landscapes.
- Drafting and Negotiating Key Legal Documents: Take ownership of the drafting, meticulous review, and skillful negotiation of a variety of essential legal documents. This includes contracts, agreements, and other legal instruments vital to ICC’s operations and strategic initiatives.
- Ensuring Legal Compliance: Conduct thorough legal research and analysis to proactively ensure ICC, its affiliated entities, and office activities adhere to all applicable international and local laws and regulations.
- Collaborating with External Counsel: Serve as a key point of contact and liaison with our external legal counsel, ensuring seamless communication and effective management of external legal resources.
- Developing Legal Strategies and Policies: Contribute to the evolution and implementation of effective legal strategies and policies that safeguard ICC’s interests and promote best practices across the organization.
- Monitoring Legislative Changes: Stay ahead of the curve by diligently monitoring changes in legislation and providing timely and insightful analysis on potential impacts on ICC’s operations and strategic direction.
- Driving Process Improvement: Proactively identify and champion opportunities to enhance departmental approaches, streamline processes, and optimize workflows to ensure a high-performing and efficient Legal Services department.
- Mentoring and Guiding Junior Staff: Provide valuable training, mentorship, and guidance to junior legal staff and colleagues in other departments on relevant legal issues, fostering a culture of legal awareness and best practice.
- Building Collaborative Relationships: Cultivate and maintain strong, collaborative relationships across all departments within ICC to ensure legal risks are promptly identified, effectively mitigated, and aligned with the organization’s overall objectives.
Your Profile: The Ideal Senior Lawyer Candidate
To excel in this demanding and rewarding Senior Lawyer role, you will possess the following qualifications and attributes:
- Educational Foundation: Hold a minimum of a Master’s degree, Juris Doctor (JD), or an equivalent law degree from a recognized and reputable institution.
- Bar Admission and Extensive Experience: Be admitted to the bar and bring a minimum of 8-10 years of substantial experience in a legal role. Preference will be given to candidates with experience gained within an international law firm, particularly with a focus on international law.
- French Law Expertise: Possess a mandatory strong working knowledge of French law, given the location of ICC headquarters in Paris.
- Comprehensive Legal Knowledge: Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of contract law, company law, corporate governance principles, compliance regulations, and relevant regulatory frameworks.
- Exceptional Analytical and Communication Skills: Exhibit excellent analytical and problem-solving capabilities, coupled with outstanding communication and interpersonal skills. You should be adept at managing complex legal issues within a dynamic international environment.
- Drafting and Negotiation Mastery: Possess superior drafting, negotiation, and communication skills, essential for crafting and advocating for ICC’s legal positions.
- Adaptability and Resilience: Thrive in a fast-paced, international environment, demonstrating the ability to manage multiple tasks effectively, work proficiently under pressure, and embrace challenges with a proactive approach.
- Autonomy and Team Spirit: Be capable of working autonomously and taking initiative, while simultaneously demonstrating a strong team spirit and contributing positively to a collaborative work environment.
- Language Proficiency: Be fluent in both French and English, with excellent verbal and written communication skills in both languages. Proficiency in additional languages is considered a valuable asset.
- Unwavering Ethical Standards: Uphold the highest ethical standards and professional integrity in all aspects of your work.
- Understanding of Organizational Structures: Familiarity with the operations and legal requirements of both non-profit and for-profit organizations is a significant advantage.
- Business Acumen (Desirable): A business degree or relevant certification is considered a plus, demonstrating a broader understanding of the business context within which legal advice is provided.
Terms and Conditions
- Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible
- Department: Legal Services
- Location: ICC International Headquarters, Paris
- Contract Type and Duration: Permanent contract (CDI), full-time position.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates are invited to submit their application to our dedicated Talent Acquisition team at [email protected]. Please ensure to specify “Senior Lawyer” in the subject line of your email. Your application should include:
- A concise CV (Curriculum Vitae) of maximum two pages.
- A compelling one-page cover letter highlighting your skills, motivation, and relevant experience that directly align with the requirements of this Senior Lawyer position at the International Chamber of Commerce.
At ICC, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone is valued and respected. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates, reflecting our global commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equality of opportunity.
