Solicitor

Shakespeare Martineau is a law firm with big ambitions for both our clients and our people. We are one firm of original thinkers, inspired to create an outstanding future for our clients, our people and our community. 

Working with organisations of all sizes our team delivers a broad range of specialist legal services, and has particular expertise across sectors including but not limited to; energy, education, banking & financial services, investment funds and advanced manufacturing.  

Our vision is to be the outstanding legal force in our specialist sectors and markets. Our people are renowned for their flair and individuality.  We recruit people who have a blend of excellent technical and business skills with the talent to do things differently.

We firmly believe that people and spirit are at the heart of everything we do. Our commitment is to help all our people fulfil their careers and ambitions and we strive to create an environment where each individual can understand and then achieve their full potential. Great performance for us is a blend of excellent technical and business skills and the talent and drive to do things differently.

Our Corporate and Commercial group undertakes various corporate, commercial, tax, banking and employment work at all levels. Our specialist teams combine unsurpassed expertise with a sound understanding of the corporate landscape to provide exceptional solutions for every aspect of our clients’ corporate and business law requirements.

Our specialist Education team currently advise over 100 Further and Higher Education institutions across England and Wales, including some of the biggest names in the sector. We are recognised as one of the leading firms advising the sector nationally and are ranked tier one in both Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners UK. Aside from our university and college client base, we also act for a number of sector bodies and regularly participate and speak at sector conferences and events. We advise on constitutional and regulatory matters; corporate governance; freedom of information and data protection; student relations and disputes; and international ventures.

The role:

Your work will involve advising on further and higher education law and projects e.g. student matters, governance, constitutional, collaborative and international activity and regulatory (e.g. information matters). 

The role will also involve, where required, support for the commercial and energy teams and business development activities.

Your key duties will be:

• working alongside senior lawyers to provide assistance on a range of education work
• assisting on large complex matters with appropriate supervision, and also building up your own caseload of matters
• handling enquiries efficiently
• liaising with clients in a professional manner
• working to strict deadlines

Skills and experience you will have:

• gained previous experience in education law
• strong IT skills
• the ability to manage files effectively

Key competencies you will need:

• a desire to specialise in this area of law
• a desire to enhance client relationships through day-to-day activity
• excellent communication skills
• a high degree of initiative and the ability to cope in a demanding environment
• excellent organisational and prioritising skills
• the ability to work in a busy team

Shakespeare Martineau is a committed equal opportunities employer. We seek to attract, develop and retain talented people from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures. We value and respect individuality and encourage a culture within our business where people can be themselves and be valued for their strengths and experiences. Everyone who either applies to or works for the firm is treated equally, regardless of their gender, age, ethnic origin, nationality, marital status, sexual orientation or religious beliefs.