Associate - Corporate (2-4 PQE), 12-18m FTC

at  Charles Russell Speechlys

Forming an integral part of the Corporate team, the Associate role will advise a range of clients throughout all stages of the business life cycle. Working for a variety of partners within the group and with colleagues from across the Firm, this is an opportunity for those looking to develop their careers within a friendly collegiate team that is widely recognised for its expertise in this area.
The Corporate team advises on a broad range of high-profile UK and cross border mergers, acquisitions and disposals (both public and private), investments, joint ventures, group reorganisations, corporate advisory and governance, as well as IPOs and secondary offerings of securities on the Main Market and AIM, acting for issuers, financial advisers and brokers.
This is a fixed term contract opportunity of 12-18 months based in our London office.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Provide practical and commercial legal advice to clients in a clear and succinct manner.
• Manage a substantial and varied workload efficiently and cost-effectively with supervision, appropriate to the level of expertise.
• Draft documents with minimum instruction and supervision, making use of appropriate precedents and negotiating related transaction documents.
• Assist with disclosure and due diligence processes by co-ordinating the due diligence team across the Firm, reviewing corporate and commercial documents, compiling relevant reports and identifying the key issues (whether corporate or otherwise) including liaising with and managing international legal counsel, where appropriate.
• Undertake corporate reorganisation and restructuring work.
• Draft and implement documentation to reflect a range of business ownership structures, such as shareholders’ agreements, LLP members’ agreements and partnership agreements.
• Assist on investment advisory mandates, negotiating share rights agreements, co-investment agreements, drafting and negotiating constitutional documents and ancillary related documentation.
• Advise on IPOs and secondary fundraises, including inputting on Admission Documents/Prospectuses drafting and negotiating lock-in agreements, placing agreements and supervising verification processes undertaken by junior colleagues.
• Deliver advice to clients on general corporate issues, company law and company secretarial matters and the Takeover Code, Listing Rules, Prospectus Regulation Rules and AIM Rules.
• Build rapport with clients and develop an effective working relationship ensuring the retention of clients allocated to them.
• Proactively seek to work with other Group members in the marketing of the Firm’s services and the expansion of the Corporate and Commercial’s business of the firm.
• Assist when requested with the cover of the cases of other Group fee earners during holidays or their absences abroad on business.
• Demonstrate good judgement and a good legal and commercial understanding of clients’ particular needs.
• Understand scope of task, manage time effectively and perform well under time and work pressures.
• Apply a commercial approach to research and evaluate relevance and accuracy in delivery of advice.
• Identify client opportunities and take appropriate steps to follow through.
• Contribute to group knowledge and know-how initiatives.
• Comply with all relevant legal and regulatory obligations including the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) Standards and Regulations, and Principles.

Person specification

• Be an England and Wales qualified lawyer (or equivalent).
• Demonstrate good judgement and a good legal and commercial understanding of a client’s particular needs.
• Understand scope of the tasks, manage time effectively and perform well under time and work pressures.
• Take a ‘hands on’ approach to managing own files and a broad case load.
• Possess excellent team working skills with the ability to work with colleagues of all levels, including supervising, delegating appropriately to, and mentoring less experienced members of the team, as required.
• Have a high degree of attention to detail.
• Have strong problem-solving skills.
• Be flexible and willing to undertake a wide variety of tasks.
• Be a pro-active team player, who is also highly self-motivated and able to work on their own initiative.
• Be confident in both verbal and written communication with a diverse range of clients.
• Be able to build rapport with clients and colleagues and develop an effective working relationship.
• Be flexible and willing to go the extra mile.

Competencies
Working together
Integrity and respect
Inclusive
Personal impact and growth
Driving high standards
Commercial mindset
Client - centric
Responsible Business

• Provide practical and commercial legal advice to clients in a clear and succinct manner.
• Manage a substantial and varied workload efficiently and cost-effectively with supervision, appropriate to the level of expertise.
• Draft documents with minimum instruction and supervision, making use of appropriate precedents and negotiating related transaction documents.
• Assist with disclosure and due diligence processes by co-ordinating the due diligence team across the Firm, reviewing corporate and commercial documents, compiling relevant reports and identifying the key issues (whether corporate or otherwise) including liaising with and managing international legal counsel, where appropriate.
• Undertake corporate reorganisation and restructuring work.
• Draft and implement documentation to reflect a range of business ownership structures, such as shareholders’ agreements, LLP members’ agreements and partnership agreements.
• Assist on investment advisory mandates, negotiating share rights agreements, co-investment agreements, drafting and negotiating constitutional documents and ancillary related documentation.
• Advise on IPOs and secondary fundraises, including inputting on Admission Documents/Prospectuses drafting and negotiating lock-in agreements, placing agreements and supervising verification processes undertaken by junior colleagues.
• Deliver advice to clients on general corporate issues, company law and company secretarial matters and the Takeover Code, Listing Rules, Prospectus Regulation Rules and AIM Rules.
• Build rapport with clients and develop an effective working relationship ensuring the retention of clients allocated to them.
• Proactively seek to work with other Group members in the marketing of the Firm’s services and the expansion of the Corporate and Commercial’s business of the firm.
• Assist when requested with the cover of the cases of other Group fee earners during holidays or their absences abroad on business.
• Demonstrate good judgement and a good legal and commercial understanding of clients’ particular needs.
• Understand scope of task, manage time effectively and perform well under time and work pressures.
• Apply a commercial approach to research and evaluate relevance and accuracy in delivery of advice.
• Identify client opportunities and take appropriate steps to follow through.
• Contribute to group knowledge and know-how initiatives.
• Comply with all relevant legal and regulatory obligations including the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) Standards and Regulations, and Principles