Corporate Associate (5-8 PQE)

About Withers

A law firm focused on people, performance, and collaboration.

For the past 125 years, we have supported some of the world’s most remarkable people and organizations at defining moments in their lives.

As the global private client firm, we are trusted advisors to families, founders, fiduciaries and businesses – and more than this, to governments, charities and financial institutions.
We structure, grow and preserve capital. We protect reputations and relationships, ideas and innovations. We secure our clients’ legacies across generations.
We are united in our commitment to integrity, quality and collaboration. We have a culture of high performance and deliver excellent service consistently across the firm. We provide tailored solutions built on trust and partner with our clients to achieve their goals.

Many of our clients are shaping the future, and creating solutions to tackle many of the world’s problems. It makes for a fascinating and challenging practice.

Our role is to get to know each individual client, find out where they want to be, and help them to get there – whether they are building a business, buying a home or protecting and defending their interests.

To meet their unique needs we are exceptionally collaborative, working together across teams and time zones. And we are agile – focusing on strategy rather than rigid ideas and traditional hierarchy.

We are delighted that we have been awarded Mansfield Certification Plus in relation to our recruitment and leadership progression efforts in the US and UK. This certification is an encouraging milestone as we continue to champion diversity within our organization and in the wider legal sector.

Join us to be part of a team that is always looking to the future. Where initiative, big ideas and bold moves are always encouraged. Where you can truly be yourself.

The Department

Most large firms have a corporate department that provides a broad range of legal advice on corporate issues.  What makes our team different is that we provide a unique combination of corporate experience that is framed by our reputation for world leading wealth planning advice across the US, Europe and Asia. 

That means that each member of our team has a deep understanding of the personal and commercial issues that impact our clients and how they interact.  It is this specific blend of expertise that allows us to offer a unique perspective and individual service. 

We frequently act as outside general counsel, advising on all legal aspects of day-to-day operations, deal flow and shareholder relations.  Clients range from successful families and entrepreneurs to their businesses and wealth management structures and the institutions investing in them.  We cover numerous sectors with a particular focus on luxury brands, sports & entertainment, retail, hotels and leisure.

The Role 

The role will encompass the full range of corporate M&A, investment and advisory work, across a wide range of sectors.  The successful candidate will be a key member of the team from the start; drafting and negotiating a range of documents including share and asset purchase agreements, shareholders' and investment agreements, articles of association and related transaction documents.  The suitable candidate needs to be able to think creatively, produce excellent drafting and help lead the negotiation and delivery of a mandate.  In view of our client base, an international perspective is important. Experience of partnership/LLP law, share incentives and/or capital markets may be helpful but is not essential.

Key skills and experience

• 5-8 years' post qualification experience
• Excellent academics and the benefit of a broad training in a well-regarded Corporate department
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Effective team player - able to work effectively in an established, close-knit team
• An enthusiastic and engaged attitude with excellent people skills and a good, clear communication style
• A willingness to take responsibility and ability to form strong working relationships across all areas of the practice
• Excellent technical ability and solid drafting skills
• Ability to communicate and handle client contact (both internal and external) from the outset
• A commercial and pragmatic outlook

The Essentials

• Working hours: 9.30am – 5.30pm but flexibility is a must
• Hybrid working
• Flexible benefits package

Information for Recruitment Agencies

Withers endeavours to recruit and fill vacancies directly. However, when we do need to engage with agencies, Withers operates a preferred supplier list and will not be accepting unsolicited applications from non-PSL agencies for this role.

Equal Opportunities Employment Statement 

It is the policy of Withers to provide equal opportunities for all employees in relation to recruitment, training and promotion. Decisions in these areas will be made only by reference to the requirements of the job and shall not be influenced by any consideration of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race (including colour, nationality and ethnic and national origin), religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.