Legal Counsel - French, German or Dutch Speaker (Lisboa, Porto or Viseu)

At EY, we're all in to shape your future with confidence.

We'll help you succeed in a globally connected powerhouse of diverse teams and take your career wherever you want it to go.

Join EY and help to build a better working world.

The opportunity

We are looking for a skilled and motivated Legal Counsel to join our General Counsel Office (GCO) at EY with proficiency in English plus ideally one or more of the following languages: French, German or Dutch.

In this role, you will be part of a regionally integrated legal function, providing high-quality legal advice and support to EY teams and business stakeholders in the Region Europe West. You will contribute to ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations, drafting and negotiating client documentation, supporting business decisions and helping to identify and mitigate legal and regulatory risks.

This is an excellent opportunity for a legal professional who enjoys working in an international and collaborative environment and is looking to develop their career within a global organization.

Your key responsibilities

As a Legal Counsel within our GCO team, you will:

• Provide legal advice on a broad range of matters, including corporate governance, compliance, contractual and regulatory topics;
• Draft, review and negotiate contracts, agreements and other legal documentation, safeguarding EY's interests and supporting business objectives;
• Conduct legal research and analysis to support business decisions and compliance initiatives;
• Consider and contribute to projects relating to the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within GCO;
• Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders across different functions, countries and jurisdictions;
• Support the development, implementation and continuous improvement of legal policies, procedures and internal guidance;
• Monitor relevant legislative and regulatory developments and assess their potential impact on the organization;
• Advise stakeholders on appropriate actions arising from changes in laws, regulations or internal requirements;
• Contribute to training and awareness initiatives aimed at strengthening legal and compliance knowledge across the organization;
• Work as part of the globally integrated GCO function, acting as a trusted advisor to the EY community through practical, proactive and business-focused legal advice.

Skills and attributes for success

To qualify for the role, you should have:

• A Law degree from an accredited university or equivalent institution;
• A minimum of 2 years of relevant professional experience in a legal role, preferably within an in-house legal team, corporate legal department or law firm;
• Good knowledge of corporate law, contracts, compliance and risk management;
• Strong drafting, negotiation and legal research skills;
• Excellent analytical capabilities and the ability to understand and assess complex legal and business matters;
• Strong attention to detail and a high level of accuracy;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
• The ability to work effectively with stakeholders across different functions, seniority levels and geographies;
• A collaborative and curious mindset, with the ability to operate successfully in a fast-paced and international environment;
• The ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines effectively;
• A curious and proactive mindset, with the ability to quickly understand complex technical and legal topics;
• Full professional proficiency in English;
• Full professional proficiency in at least one of the following languages: French, German or Dutch.

What we look for

We are looking for highly motivated professionals who combine strong legal expertise with a pragmatic and business-oriented mindset.

You will be an effective communicator and a collaborative team player who is comfortable working in an international environment and managing changing priorities. You should be curious, adaptable and confident engaging with different stakeholders, with a genuine interest in understanding the business behind the legal matters you support.
If you are looking for an opportunity where you can take ownership, broaden your international exposure and contribute to a dynamic global legal function, this role could be for you.

What working at EY offers

At EY, you'll develop the mindset and skills to navigate whatever comes next. You'll have access to:

• Continuous learning and opportunities to develop new skills and progress your career;
• Support, coaching and feedback from experienced and engaging colleagues;
• Exposure to an international and multidisciplinary environment;
• Opportunities to collaborate with colleagues and stakeholders across EY's global network;
• The flexibility and support to approach your role in a way that enables you to perform at your best.

If you can demonstrate that you meet the criteria above, we would be delighted to hear from you.

EY | Shape the future with confidence

EY is building a better working world by creating new value for clients, people, society and the planet, while building trust in capital markets.

Enabled by data, AI and advanced technology, EY teams help clients shape the future with confidence and develop answers for the most pressing issues of today and tomorrow.

EY teams work across a full spectrum of services in assurance, consulting, tax, strategy and transactions. Fueled by sector insights, a globally connected, multi-disciplinary network and diverse ecosystem partners, EY teams can provide services in more than 150 countries and territories.

At EY, we're committed to providing recruitment and career opportunities to all, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, social background or disability. We believe that equality and diversity are central to our recruitment process, as they enhance creativity and efficiency, leading to improved performance and productivity.

In line with this commitment, EY Portugal recently became a member of the Inclusive Community Forum. This initiative, led by Nova SBE, focuses on the recruitment of individuals with disabilities, advocating for a more inclusive community. Moreover, EY Portugal has also endorsed the Diversity Charter of APPDI (the Portuguese Association for Diversity and Inclusion), pledging to establish and develop internal policies and practices which support diversity.
Through these initiatives, EY seeks to actively contribute to the inclusion process and promote a more inclusive community for people with disabilities by actively participating in creating solutions.

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