Senior Legal Associate (12-Month Fixed Term Contract)

Jones Knowles Ritchie (JKR) is a Global branding business, founded in 1990 and proudly independent ever since.

We started out in the world of packaging in London, but now we’re worldwide - from three founders, to more than 300 of us across the UK and USA. Together, we build and deliver brands across the entire consumer experience.

But even more important than what we do, is why we do it. We’re here to inspire brands and people to be their true selves. To be brave. Be tenacious. And above all, be yourself.

Because we believe that’s the only way to truly be distinctive, everywhere.

We are looking for a Senior Legal Associate to join us on a 12mth Fixed term contract from May 2026, reporting to the Global Chief Legal Officer (GCLO).

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced legal professional to take ownership of a broad and dynamic remit within a highly regarded global brand agency. The role would suit someone who thrives in a fast-moving, creative environment and enjoys partnering closely with business stakeholders to deliver commercially grounded legal solutions.

To be well suited, you will demonstrate a strong legal background and a clear interest in working within a creative or media business and an understanding of the commercial realities of agency life.

You will be an empathetic and pragmatic communicator, providing clear, business-aligned advice to colleagues from non-legal backgrounds while maintaining robust legal standards.

Key areas of responsibility, include but not limited to:

Commercial and Contractual:

• Lead, with oversight from the GCLO, on the review, mark-up and negotiation of Client Master Services Agreements (MSAs) on both client and JKR paper
• Advise stakeholders on contractual risk areas
• Coordinate approvals for any deviations from JKR’s contractual guardrails
• Oversee and manage contract renewals with relevant business leads.
• Review and negotiate corporate and project-specific NDAs.

Intellectual Property:

• Provide clear, solution-focused advice on copyright, ownership and infringement risks across creative outputs.
• Advise on the intersection between AI-generated content and IP risk.
• Support initial trademark reviews and related advice.
• Collaborate with Creative Services teams on licensing queries, copyright issues and template updates.
• Maintain and update licensing and copyright assignment templates

JKR AI Initiative:

• Play an active role in supporting the rollout and maintenance of JKR’s AI initiative, advising on legal and strategic considerations of AI tools, platforms and processes.
• Participate in the AI Taskforce and execute assigned actions and deliverables.
• Review and update internal and external AI policies and draft new documentation where required.
• Review AI platform terms and conditions in collaboration with the global IT team and present risk analyses and mitigation strategies.
• Advise creative and account teams on client AI policies, procurement of AI stock imagery and internal AI-generated content development.
• Prepare playbook updates and concise summaries of client AI requirements for account teams.

Data Privacy and GDPR Compliance:

• Review and mark up Data Processing Agreements and related data protection clauses.
• Complete and file internal DPIAs where required.
• Advise on data protection risks relating to internal projects.
• Support the execution of JKR’s annual data protection review process

Litigation:

• Coordinate with external counsel on employment and commercial disputes.
• Review external advice and draft documents
• Liaise with insurers to confirm coverage and ensure ongoing alignment.

Internal Training and Compliance:

• Create and update contract templates and internal documentation in response to regulatory or process changes.
• Draft and amend internal and external policy documents.
• Develop engaging contract summaries and deliver training sessions to account and creative teams.
• Respond to ad hoc legal queries across both UK and US studios.

General Principles of the Role:

Act at all times with professionalism, honesty and integrity.

Alert the GCLO where there is a risk of legal or regulatory breach.

Provide independent and impartial advice, free from personal or external conflicts of interest.

Maintain confidentiality of JKR’s affairs unless disclosure is required or permitted by law.

Develop a strong understanding of JKR’s business to ensure legal advice is aligned with organisational strategy and values.

Requirements

To be best suited to this role you will be a UK qualified Solicitor approximately 5–8 years’ PQE, with strong experience in commercial contracts and IP advice legal support. You will also be able to demonstrate:

• Experience within a consultancy, agency or creative business environment would be highly desirable.
• Strong working knowledge of UK commercial contracting, intellectual property compliance and data privacy. Experience advising on AI-related risk or emerging technology is advantageous.
• Confident managing litigation processes with oversight of external counsel.
• Commercially astute, pragmatic and comfortable operating within areas of legal nuance.
• Excellent communication skills, able to translate complex legal concepts into clear, business-oriented advice.
• Calm under pressure, highly organised and able to prioritise effectively across multiple concurrent matters.
• Comfortable knowing when to escalate to the GCLO and when to provide confident, independent guidance.
• Personable and collaborative; with the ability to build strong working relationships across senior executives, creative teams and corporate functions.

Benefits

JKR is committed to providing a comprehensive, competitive benefits programme to its employees, including:

Competitive salary

Lively Shoreditch studio location

Hybrid working policy, minimum 2 days pw in the studio

Bupa Healthcare, including dental option

Income protection & life insurance

Classpass credits

Group personal pension

25 days holiday + time given at Christmas and new year

Summer Fridays x 2

Birthday day off

After probation:

Season ticket loan

Cycle to work scheme

Enhanced parental leave policies

Referral scheme for new hires

2 weeks work from anywhere, by agreement with line manager