Legal Counsel - CapitalatWork

Why This Legal Counsel Opening at CapitalatWork Deserves Your Attention

The legal job market in Europe has seen a quiet revolution. Gone are the days when the most prestigious legal careers were synonymous with magic circle law firms and corner offices in glass towers. Today, some of the most intellectually stimulating and strategically influential roles sit inside high-performing financial institutions, where lawyers are not just risk-averse gatekeepers but key business enablers. The Legal Counsel position at CapitalatWork, recruited exclusively through YouConnect | Partners for legal, hr & compliance talent, is a prime example of this shift. Based in Brussels, the role offers a rare combination of regulatory depth, commercial variety, and cross-border exposure, all within a firm that manages approximately €12 billion in assets.

CapitalatWork is not a faceless banking giant. It is an independent wealth manager with more than three decades of history, known for its personalized approach, discretion, and long-term perspective. For a legal professional with eight or more years of experience, this is the kind of opportunity that does not appear often. It demands a lawyer who is comfortable advising on financial services regulations, negotiating commercial agreements, supporting corporate governance, and even dipping into M&A transactions—all while working closely with colleagues in Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. The role is positioned at the very heart of the business, where legal advice shapes strategy rather than merely documenting it.

Inside the Role: More Than Just Contract Reviews

Many in-house legal roles suffer from a narrow mandate, boxing lawyers into one specialized silo. This position explicitly rejects that model. The job description promises a genuinely broad in-house legal position where no two days are the same. As Legal Counsel, you will act as a trusted advisor to the business, tackling a wide spectrum of matters:

• Advising on financial services regulations and other regulatory matters impacting CapitalatWork’s business.
• Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating various commercial agreements and templates.
• Supporting corporate governance and corporate law matters.
• Providing legal support to internal departments such as Compliance, HR, and Project Management.
• Coordinating with external consultants where appropriate.
• Assisting with strategic projects, including occasional M&A transactions.
• Collaborating with the Legal team in Luxembourg on cross-border matters.

This is not a role for someone who wants to hide behind precedent. It is for a lawyer who thrives on complexity and enjoys the intellectual challenge of moving from a regulatory query to a commercial negotiation to a governance issue within a single morning. The cross-border element adds another layer of sophistication, requiring an understanding of multiple legal systems and the ability to harmonize approaches across different jurisdictions.

“We look for lawyers who combine analytical thinking with a pragmatic mindset—someone who can translate legal nuance into business advice that actually makes sense on the ground.” — Diether Vandenbussche, Recruitment Consultant at YouConnect.

The Ideal Profile: A Blend of Legal Rigour and Business Acumen

The eligibility criteria for this Legal Counsel role are precise, and for good reason. YouConnect and CapitalatWork are not looking for a junior associate or a fresh graduate. They need a mid-to-senior professional who can hit the ground running. The stated requirements include:

• A Master’s degree in Law.
• At least 8 years of relevant professional experience, ideally in the financial services industry or another highly regulated environment.
• The ability to work independently and provide pragmatic, business-oriented legal advice.
• A genuine interest in a broad variety of legal topics rather than specialising in one narrow area.
• Excellent communication skills in Dutch, French, and English.

The language requirement is non-negotiable. Brussels is a trilingual city, and the firm’s operations span Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. Being fluent in all three languages signals that you are not just a legal expert but a genuinely cross-cultural communicator. The emphasis on pragmatic advice is also telling—this is a firm that values solutions, not just legal warnings. If you are the type of lawyer who says “here are three ways we can do this, and here is the risk profile of each,” you are exactly what they want.

Beyond the hard requirements, the job description highlights personal traits that are equally important: curiosity, ownership, proactivity, open communication, and comfort with working closely across business units. These are the soft skills that separate a good in-house counsel from a transformative one.

Strategies for a Winning Application

Given that this vacancy is in exclusive cooperation with YouConnect, your application strategy needs to be sharper than a typical online form submission. Here is how to position yourself:

• Tailor your CV to the financial services context: Highlight any experience with regulatory compliance, investment advisory, asset management, or estate planning. Use keywords from the job description such as “financial services regulations,” “commercial agreements,” “corporate governance,” and “cross-border collaboration.”
• Showcase your language proficiency: If you are fluent in Dutch, French, and English, make it prominent. If you are still improving one language, be honest but emphasize your willingness to work in a multilingual environment.
• Demonstrate business impact: In your cover letter, provide examples of how you have helped a business achieve its goals while managing legal risk. Quantify your contributions where possible—for instance, how you streamlined contract processes or navigated a regulatory approval that enabled a new product line.
• Prepare for a competency-based interview: Expect questions about how you handle cross-border legal issues, how you advise management on regulatory changes, and how you balance legal risk with commercial objectives. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
• Reach out directly: Diether Vandenbussche is the point of contact. A polite, professional LinkedIn message or email can set you apart from the 25+ applicants who simply click “Apply.”

Don’t underestimate the power of a direct approach. Hiring managers in the legal world appreciate candidates who communicate clearly and proactively—it is a preview of how you will behave on the job.

Career Impact: Why This Move Could Define Your Legal Trajectory

For a legal professional at the mid-senior level, moving to an in-house counsel role at a wealth management firm is not just a lateral shift—it is often a leap in both influence and earning potential. The compensation package mentioned in the listing includes a competitive bonus, comprehensive fringe benefits, and a fiscally optimised compensation structure, which is particularly attractive in Belgium. But the financial rewards are only part of the story.

Working at CapitalatWork offers the chance to develop deep expertise in a thriving sector. Wealth management is an industry that is constantly evolving, with new regulations, changing client demographics, and growing cross-border complexities. A lawyer who masters this domain becomes highly sought after by banks, asset managers, and fintech companies alike. Furthermore, the role places you on a strategic trajectory: involvement in M&A projects and close collaboration with senior management means your voice will be heard at the decision-making table. For those who aspire to become General Counsel or a legal director in the future, this is a stepping stone with genuine weight.

The cultural aspect matters too. The job description promises a collaborative, entrepreneurial, and no-nonsense company culture. Unlike the rigid hierarchies of some corporate legal departments, CapitalatWork appears to value initiative and practical problem-solving. That kind of environment can reignite your passion for law, especially if you have spent years in high-pressure law firms or bureaucratic institutions.

How to Apply and Key Contacts

The listing instructs interested candidates to apply immediately via the YouConnect website or to contact Diether Vandenbussche directly. While no specific deadline is provided, the posting has been live for only two days and the firm is already screening applicants. In the world of executive search, urgency matters—the earlier you apply, the better your chances of being shortlisted.

Here are the essential contact details:

• Email: diether.vandenbussche@youconnect.be
• Phone: +32 477 22 95 52
• Recruiter: Diether Vandenbussche, Recruitment Consultant Legal & Compliance at YouConnect

When you apply, you should be prepared to share your CV and other personal data, which will be held in YouConnect’s database in accordance with their privacy notice. This is standard practice for recruitment agencies and should not be a cause for concern.

In summary, this Legal Counsel role at CapitalatWork is a standout opportunity for a seasoned lawyer who is ready to step into a broad, strategic, and internationally oriented position. It offers the rare combination of a respected independent firm, a genuinely varied practice, and a clear path for career growth. If you meet the qualifications and are excited by the prospect of working in a dynamic, cross-border environment, do not let this one slip away. Contact Diether Vandenbussche today and take the first step toward reshaping your legal career.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the application deadline for this Legal Counsel role?

The job posting does not specify a hard deadline. It has been listed on LinkedIn for two days and the firm is already reviewing applications. It is advisable to apply as soon as possible, as positions of this caliber often close quickly once the right candidate emerges.

2. Is this a remote or office-based position?

The posting lists Brussels, Brussels Region, Belgium as the location, indicating an office-based role. Given the cross-border collaboration mentioned, some travel between the firm’s offices in Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands may be required.

3. Do I need to speak French and Dutch to be considered?

Yes, excellent communication skills in Dutch, French, and English are explicitly stated as requirements. However, if you are genuinely fluent in two of the three and have a strong working proficiency in the third, it is still worth applying and discussing your profile with the recruiter.

4. What type of experience is most valued for this position?

The firm seeks at least 8 years of professional experience, ideally in financial services or another highly regulated environment. Experience in drafting commercial agreements, advising on regulatory matters, and supporting corporate governance is particularly relevant. The role also values exposure to cross-border work and strategic projects.