Solicitor

Shakespeare Martineau is a Top 50 law firm that combines creativity, commerciality and clarity. We work with blue-chip companies, leading organisations, high street brands and individuals across the country.

As enterprising and original thinkers, we’re driven to create exceptional experiences for our clients and our people. We handle personal and business-critical issues and game-changing deals across many dynamic sectors. It’s stimulating and rewarding.

We’re hardworking and deeply ambitious about creating opportunities for our employees; to move forward and achieve our ambition together. We provide an environment in which you’re supported to reach your potential.

Our people have a blend of excellent technical and business skills with the talent to do things differently.

Here you’ll find top quality work, cutting edge training, high profile clients, and supportive colleagues. We think it could be time you joined us.

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 Corporate team act for financial institutions, SME's, owner managed businesses and PLC's on all aspects of corporate transactions. The team has specific experience and expertise in the energy, education, retail, logistics, healthcare and banking sectors. We also advise clients on matters relating to employee ownership. In the last 12 months we have completed more than 200 substantial deals with a large number having an enterprise value ranging from £20 to £50 million. In addition we deal with shareholder agreements, joint venture agreements, company formation arrangements and other aspects of corporate life.  

The role:

We are committed to invest in and further expand our London-based Corporate team, part of the firm’s Corporate Commercial group.  This is an experienced team, seeking two innovative and talented Solicitors; ideally with one having between 1-3yrs’ PQE and the other having between 3-5yrs' PQE.

You will support our plans to grow and work as part of a wider team that has a depth and breadth of experience and expertise across most industry sectors, and in every area of corporate law.

You will advise on all areas of business law, in particular cross-border capital market issues in the London capital markets, public and private mergers, fintech debt and equity investments and structures, cross border share and business acquisitions and disposals, complex group originations and re-organisations, shareholder agreements, investment agreements and general corporate advisory services to a wide range of clients.

Your key duties will be:

• assisting senior assistants and partners on a wide range of corporate work
• handling a caseload of large and complex matters
• running cases efficiently and cost effectively and within strict service level agreements as required by the client
• dealing with clients and third parties in a professional manner, maintaining close and regular contact, as required
• assisting with monthly billing, all client specific billing and other related financial administration maintaining good file management, including electronic and paper storage, archiving and filing
• taking telephone calls, handling queries and enquiries, where appropriate
• photocopying, scanning and collating documentation
• opening and closing files, as required
• carrying out legal research as required
• actively getting involved in business development activities, both individually and as part of a team

Skills and experience you will have:

• between 1-5yrs’ experience in a similar role dealing with varied corporate matters, including PLC
• confidence with IT skills, particularly Microsoft Word and Excel
• the ability to manage files effectively

Key competencies you will need:

• an enthusiastic and positive attitude towards client service and delivery
• an entrepreneurial nature and an outgoing manner
• technical excellence
• 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
• excellent communication skills

About you – you will be:

• highly enthusiastic, willing to go the extra mile and be happy to go beyond the job description
• respectful towards others and have a positive, willing and ‘can do’ attitude
• keen to learn, interested in driving your own career progression and be proactive in taking ownership of this

Due to the nature of the work undertaken, confirmation of employment will be subject to a variety of checks which will be carried out once an offer of employment is accepted. Details of the checks can be found here.

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.