Senior Legal Counsel, Disputes (UK and Europe)

Company Description

Wise is a global technology company, building the best way to move and manage the world’s money.
Min fees. Max ease. Full speed.

Whether people and businesses are sending money to another country, spending abroad, or making and receiving international payments, Wise is on a mission to make their lives easier and save them money.

As part of our team, you will be helping us create an entirely new network for the world's money.
For everyone, everywhere.

More about our mission and what we offer.

Job Description

We’re looking for a Senior Legal Counsel to join our growing Legal Team in London. 

This role will be disputes-focussed and is a unique opportunity to build on your litigation and broader disputes experience, help deliver Wise’s mission of money without borders, grow as a lawyer in a global fast-paced listed company environment and help millions more people save money.  

About the role: 

• Advise and lead on a broad range of disputes both UK/Europe-focussed and global, including high-value litigations and arbitrations, regulatory matters, IP disputes, competition issues, consumer disputes and asset recovery cases.

• Lead a growing team of lawyers and legal operations personnel.

• Advise and liaise with various stakeholders on contentious matters, including Boards and committees, Product, Banking and Expansion, Risk, Compliance, and Marketing.  

• Build relationships with multiple business units across the Company and become a trusted advisor on a range of issues including financial and consumer regulations, sanctions, AML and fraud issues, banking arrangements, new products, partnerships, and employment issues.

• Identify, assess, manage and report risks to the business and provide practical advice solutions to reduce or mitigate risk. 

• Work closely with Wise’s global legal team (based in London, New York, Austin, Tallinn, Singapore, Brussels and São Paulo) to deliver outcomes that will impact the wider business.

• Report to Head of Legal, Disputes. 

This role will give you the opportunity to: 

• Choose your path to impact - we believe people are most empowered when they can act autonomously. So rather than being told what to do, you’ll take ownership from day one. Of course, you will have feedback from smart, curious people across Wise but you’ll experience unique levels of ownership and empowerment within your role.

• Be part of our mission to make money without borders the new normal.

Qualifications

About you: 

• UK-qualified lawyer with at least 6 years PQE.

• Background in commercial disputes, preferably with experience of banking or payments industry-related contentious matters.

• Ability to lead on multiple contentious matters at once across different jurisdictions.

• Ability to evaluate and summarise legal advice and communicate advice in a succinct and pragmatic way to different areas of the business.

• Ability to navigate difficult issues and multiple stakeholders, advising the business on key risks, and developing solutions.

• Ability to lead junior lawyers and work effectively with other senior lawyers.

• Have a get-it-done, collaborative approach to problem solving.  

Additional Information

Key benefits:

• Salary of £130,000 - £150,000

• Stock options in a rapidly growing company

• Private healthcare plan

• Pension scheme

• 6 weeks’ paid sabbatical every 4 years 

• Generous parental leave

• Flexible working arrangements - during the first 6 months, you’ll be in office most days to become fully immersed in Wise’s culture and ways of working; after this initial period, you’ll be in office at least 3 days per week.

• Development opportunities, with an annual self-development budget

• Opportunities to travel internationally

• The opportunity to work with smart, motivated and curious people

• A fun work environment with social activities and events

For everyone, everywhere. We're people building money without borders  — without judgement or prejudice, too. We believe teams are strongest when they are diverse, equitable and inclusive.

We're proud to have a truly international team, and we celebrate our differences.
Inclusive teams help us live our values and make sure every Wiser feels respected, empowered to contribute towards our mission and able to progress in their careers.

If you want to find out more about what it's like to work at Wise visit Wise.Jobs.

Keep up to date with life at Wise by following us on LinkedIn and Instagram.