Lead Specialist, Legal Counsel

Job Title: Lead Specialist, Legal Counsel

Location: London | Hybrid

Description:
Corporate and M&A legal specialist providing commercially focused advice across transactions, investments and strategic corporate activity. Also known in the market as: Legal Counsel, Corporate Counsel, M&A Counsel, Corporate & M&A Lawyer, Corporate Transactions Counsel, In-House Corporate Lawyer

Job Summary

Working with and reporting to two senior members of the team, the role will provide strategic, practical and commercially focused legal advice across Pearson’s M&A and corporate investment activities, supporting transactions from early-stage evaluation and structuring through due diligence, negotiation, regulatory approval, signing and completion. 

You’ll act as a subject-matter resource for peers and business partners, mentoring junior colleagues and contributing to process improvements. 

Key Responsibilities

• Draft, review and negotiate complex corporate and M&A agreements, balancing legal risk with business and operational realities.
• Drive and/or assist on legal workstreams for M&A transactions, including due diligence, risk assessment and regulatory compliance.
• Review documents and advise on minority venture investments and/or exits.
• Collaborate with legal partners across Pearson, including IP, Data Privacy, Litigation, Employment, Compliance and Real Estate.
• Advise business partners on legal and regulatory questions, translating requirements into clear guidance.
• Assess antitrust considerations relating to M&A transactions.
• Contribute to legal templates, playbooks and process improvements.
• Manage external counsel and transaction legal resources.
• Support Group Tax, Treasury and Strategy on corporate transactions and initiatives. 

Qualifications & Experience

• Law degree or equivalent qualification.
• Approximately 2–4 years’ post-qualification experience in corporate legal practice, with a track record of M&A transactions.
• Proven ability to lead legal workstreams and deliver commercially focused advice.