Corporate Associate (NQ-1 PQE)

About Withersworldwide

Withersworldwide has been acting for successful individuals, businesses and institutions for over 100 years. We advise clients on their business and personal legal needs both at home and abroad. In this fast moving and increasingly regulated world the need for integrated and timely advice has never been more urgent.

We are recognised as the only international law firm for successful people, their families, their businesses and their philanthropic work. With offices in Europe, Asia, the United States and the Caribbean we provide coverage that other law firms focussed on the individual cannot.  We continually look for opportunities to ensure we are based in the same locations as our clients and their wealth. We have represented 70% of the Top-100 ‘Sunday Times Rich List’, as well as a significant number of people listed in the US (Forbes) and Asian (Hurun) Rich Lists.

The firm consists of three global legal Divisions: Business; Dispute Resolution and Private Client & Tax.  Each Division is headed by a Divisional CEO and Divisional Operating Officer.  There is also an overarching CEO of the global firm.

The Team

Most large firms have a corporate department that provides broad legal advice on commercial issues. What makes our team different is that we provide a unique combination of corporate experience integrated with personal advice across the US, Europe and Asia.  Our corporate team sits within the Business Division. 

Each member of our team has, or will have the opportunity to acquire, an understanding of the personal and corporate issues that impact our clients both in their business and private lives. It is this unusual blend of knowledge that allows us to offer an individual service to the leaders of public and privately held organizations.

We frequently act as general counsel, advising on all legal aspects of clients' day-to-day operations and deal flow. Clients include financial institutions, entrepreneurs, family offices, public and privately owned businesses operating across numerous business sectors such as luxury brands, sports, healthcare, manufacturing, retail, services, hotels and leisure, information technology, media and telecoms.

The Role

The role encompasses the full range of corporate M&A, investment and advisory work in relation to private companies and some public company work.  The successful candidate will be a key member of the team from the start; supporting the drafting and negotiation of share and asset purchase agreements, shareholders' and investment agreements, partnership/LLP agreements, articles of association and related transaction documents.  The suitable candidate needs to be able to produce good first drafts of a suite of investment documents and help lead the delivery of an M&A or investment transaction including in relation to due diligence.  The candidate will be working on multi-national corporate transactions advising corporate, family office and individual clients on disposals, acquisitions and investments, public and private transactions, and day-to-day corporate matters.  The candidate will not be on a conveyor belt of similar transactions: the work is genuinely varied and of the highest quality. 

Person Specification

• Candidates must be NQ-1 year post qualification experience
• Be admitted to practice as a solicitor in England & Wales
• Excellent academics and the benefit of a broad training in a well-regarded Corporate department
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Effective team player
• 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
• A desire to learn and expand horizons
• Excellent technical ability, solid drafting skills and strong research skills
• Ability to communicate and handle client contact (both internal and external) from the outset
• A commercial and pragmatic outlook
• Strong IT skills (e.g. Word & Excel)

The Essentials

• Working hours: 9.30am – 5.30pm but flexibility is a must
• 6 month probation period
• 12 week notice period
• Flexible benefit package

For further information, please contact the recruitment team.

Information for Recruitment Agencies

We endeavour to recruit and fill vacancies directly. However, when we do need to engage with agencies, we operate a preferred supplier list ('PSL') and will not be accepting unsolicited applications from non-PSL agencies for this role.

Equal Opportunities Employment Statement

It is our policy to provide equal opportunities for all employees/prospective 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 ethnic origin, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation or disability.

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