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We are looking for an ambitious UK-qualified Company/Commercial solicitor, ideally with up to two years’ post-qualification experience, to join Hansel Henson.

The role will have a strong commercial contracts focus, with the opportunity to work across intellectual property, media, technology, data protection and selected corporate matters. If you enjoy understanding how clients’ businesses work, you’ll find early responsibility, direct client contact and varied, high-quality work.

Who we are

Hansel Henson is a leading specialist IP, media and technology law firm, based in Soho, Central London. We are recognised by both The Legal500 and Chambers and Partners for our work in intellectual property and media and entertainment, including digital content, social media, film and television.

We act for an exciting mix of established businesses, cultural institutions, leading brands, production companies, technology businesses, games studios and founder-led companies. Our clients include the Science Museum Group, Slick Films, JAAQ, Flexa, Cascade Interactive and Anorak Games.

Our work sits at the intersection of law, creativity, technology and commerce. We advise clients on commercial arrangements involving content, software, digital products, brands, data and intellectual property, as well as on investment rounds, business sales and acquisitions and financing arrangements in the film and television sectors.

In our close-knit, collaborative team, junior lawyers work directly with partners and clients, take meaningful responsibility early and see matters from initial instruction through to completion. They also have the support and supervision needed to develop strong technical and commercial judgement.

What you’ll do

You will work principally on commercial contracts and non-contentious intellectual property and technology matters. Depending on the particular matter and your experience, this is likely to include:

• drafting and negotiating a broad range of commercial contracts relating to products, services, technology, content and intellectual property;
• advising on software licences, software and application development agreements, intellectual property licences, terms of service, distribution arrangements and other commercial agreements;
• advising clients on how to structure and document new products, services, partnerships and commercial relationships;
• supporting bespoke projects such as film and television financing, production arrangements, retail and consumer promotions, and data protection compliance projects;
• undertaking legal research and providing clear, practical advice on unfamiliar or developing areas;
• supporting selected corporate matters, including early-stage investment rounds, business sales and acquisitions;
• working directly with clients, coordinating the people, steps and deadlines on matters, and taking responsibility for day-to-day management of matters, with appropriate partner support;
• contributing to the firm’s know-how, marketing and business development activities; and
• depending on your experience, supervising trainees and other junior fee earners.

What you’ll bring

We are primarily looking for someone recently qualified or with up to two years’ post-qualification experience, but we will consider candidates outside that range who demonstrate the right skills and relevant experience.

You should have:

• a genuine interest in intellectual property, media and technology and in understanding our clients’ businesses;
• strong organisational, time-management and project-management skills, including the ability to coordinate complex corporate or commercial contract matters with multiple workstreams, people and deadlines, prioritise competing demands and maintain oversight without losing sight of detail;
• experience of drafting, reviewing and negotiating commercial contracts, ideally involving intellectual property, technology, software, digital products or content;
• strong drafting, analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to use AI tools thoughtfully as an assistant to research and drafting while checking outputs, protecting client confidentiality and exercising independent legal judgement;
• sound commercial judgement and an ability to give practical advice rather than simply identify legal issues;
• excellent attention to detail and high standards of written work;
• the confidence to take responsibility for matters while recognising when to seek input;
• the ability to communicate clearly and build trusted relationships with clients and colleagues;
• a positive, thoughtful and proactive approach; and
• an appetite to learn, progress and contribute to the continued development of the firm.

Experience or knowledge in some of the following areas would be helpful, but we do not expect candidates to have experience of all of them:

• intellectual property licensing and commercialisation;
• copyright, trade marks and design rights;
• data protection;
• software and application development;
• digital platforms and online services;
• consumer law and advertising;
• film and television production or financing;
• video games and interactive entertainment;
• artificial intelligence and other developing technologies; and
• early-stage investment rounds, business sales or acquisitions.

Experience gained in a well-regarded private practice team or an in-house legal role would both be relevant.

What we offer

• High-quality, varied work for an interesting and commercially focused client base.
• Early responsibility and direct contact with clients.
• Close working relationships with experienced partners and colleagues.
• Clear opportunities to develop your own areas of expertise and shape your career.
• A friendly, supportive and collaborative working environment.
• The opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the firm’s growth and development.
• The freedom and support to develop your own professional profile and client relationships, with bonuses paid on work introduced to the firm.
• A central Soho office, with flexibility (post-probation) to work from home for up to two days each week.
• A culture which recognises the importance of having a life outside work and contributing to the wider community.
• A company pension scheme, private medical insurance, group income protection and other benefits.

What to send our way

Your CV and a covering email to recruitment@hanselhenson.com