Legal Counsel - Corporate & Immigration
Our client believes in the power of Virtual Advancement—leveraging digital innovation and strategic foresight to help businesses excel in a rapidly evolving world. With a focus on agility and adaptability, they work alongside organisations to simplify complexity, enhance operations, and implement strategies that foster long-term success.
Their team partners with startups, SMEs, and large enterprises across various industries, enabling clients to harness technology, data, and strategic insight to gain sustainable competitive advantage. From expanding into new markets to building resilient financial roadmaps, our client serves as a trusted advisor committed to creating meaningful impact. Whether the goal is operational optimisation or future-focused growth, our client delivers the clarity and capability needed to navigate change and lead with confidence.
Role Overview
Are you a dynamic and experienced lawyer with a specialized focus on both corporate and immigration law? Our client is seeking a Legal Counsel - Corporate & Immigration to join their team in Sri Lanka. In this dual-focused role, you will be instrumental in navigating the complex legal landscape for our client’s corporate operations and supporting the immigration needs of their growing international workforce within Sri Lanka. Your expertise will be crucial in ensuring compliance, mitigating risks, and facilitating smooth business operations.
Job type: Full Time/Permanent
Workplace: Hybrid
Location: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Requirements
- Legal Qualification: Licensed lawyer in Sri Lanka, in good standing with the Bar Association of Sri Lanka.
- Experience: Minimum of 5+ years of post-qualification experience practicing corporate law and immigration law in Sri Lanka, either within a reputable law firm or as in-house counsel.
- Dual Specialization: Demonstrated expertise and practical experience in both Sri Lankan corporate law (e.g., company law, contract law, commercial transactions) and immigration law (e.g., visa categories, work permit applications, residency regulations).
- Regulatory Knowledge: Deep understanding of the Sri Lankan legal and regulatory framework governing corporate entities and foreign nationals.
- Analytical Skills: Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
- Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English are mandatory; fluency in Sinhala and/or Tamil is a significant advantage.
- Attention to Detail: Meticulous attention to detail and accuracy in legal drafting and review.
- Proactive Approach: Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and proactively identify legal issues and solutions.
- Experience advising multinational companies or dealing with cross-border legal issues.
- Familiarity with Sri Lankan labor law would be beneficial.
Responsibilities
- Corporate Legal Advisory: Provide comprehensive legal advice on corporate matters including company formation, corporate governance, commercial contracts, mergers and acquisitions support, and general business operations in Sri Lanka.
- Immigration Legal Management: Manage all aspects of immigration law for the company’s foreign employees, including advising on visa types, work permits, residency requirements, and compliance with Sri Lankan immigration regulations.
- Regulatory Compliance: Ensure adherence to all relevant corporate and immigration laws, regulations, and reporting requirements in Sri Lanka.
- Contract Drafting & Review: Draft, review, and negotiate commercial agreements, ensuring legal compliance and alignment with company objectives.
- Stakeholder Liaison: Act as a key contact for external legal counsel, government agencies, and immigration authorities in Sri Lanka.
- Risk Management: Identify, assess, and advise on legal risks related to corporate activities and immigration processes; propose proactive mitigation strategies.
- Policy Development: Assist in developing and implementing internal policies to ensure legal compliance and best practices.
- Internal Training: Provide training and guidance to internal teams on corporate legal obligations and immigration processes.
- Litigation Support: Support the Head of Legal/General Counsel in managing corporate or immigration-related disputes or litigation.