Associate, Legal

London Area, United Kingdom

8/5/2025

Schillings is a multidisciplinary advisory firm with expertise in reputation, privacy and security.

We work with UK and international clients to successfully manage high-stakes opportunities and threats, using a unique combination of capabilities: legal; intelligence; communications; security and diplomacy.

We believe everyone has a right to fair treatment of their reputation, to a reasonable expectation of privacy and to feel safe.

Our experts sit within their specialist team but day-to-day work in multidisciplinary teams solving client problems. They are supported by our business services teams: Clients and Markets, HR, Finance, Risk and Compliance, IT and Client Services.

Because we are a growth business, opportunities appear in all areas and at all levels. We have the largest team of specialist media lawyers in the world, an expanding Intelligence & Investigations team, a growing Critical Risks unit, an evolving Digital Resilience practice, and a new communications agency – Schillings Communications – that will grow significantly in the next three years.

Schillings is a collaborative, fun and welcoming place to work, with a positive culture, strong values and a developed service ethic. We require commitment, diligence, agility and professionalism, and in return provide competitive packages and incredibly stimulating and interesting work. We are committed to sharing learning and creating development opportunities so you can progress your career with us. Our people’s career trajectory and longevity at Schillings is a good example of this: a third of our people have been at the business for over five years. Join us and become part of our story.

Job Title: Associate

Reporting to: Partner/Team Leader

Day-to-day supervision of: Solicitors and Paralegals

The role of an Associate involves managing matters and supervising the work and tasks of junior colleagues. Associates are technically sound and may be developing an expertise in a specific specialism.

Job Purpose

• To assist with defamation, privacy, data protection and commercial litigation matters
• Pro-actively participate in solving client problems; offering strategic solutions to Partners as to the way forward on matters and collaborating with experts across the business to deliver the best solutions for clients.
• Promote the firm and support winning new instructions for the firm from existing and new clients.
  
  

Role Accountabilities

Matter management

• To competently deal with cases brought to the firm by its clients, working with partners and senior associates and supervising the work of more junior fee-earners from across Schillings, to affect a successful outcome.
• To meet identified business targets for chargeable hours, billing and cash collection, demonstrating good financial management of debtors, disbursements and work in progress.
• To undertake file management practices in accordance with firm’s standards; ensure documents are organised and filed appropriately, estimates prepared, and third-party arrangements adhered to.
• Understand the firm's responsibilities regarding effective risk management, always endeavours to ensure working practices are compliant with statutory requirements, and that any concerns or indications of malpractice are drawn to the attention of senior management immediately.
  
  

Client care

• Responsible for all aspects of client management, anticipating clients’ needs and providing advice, ensuring the highest standard of client care and communication.
  
  

Knowledge

• Understand the different capabilities at Schillings and always looks for the best solution for clients – this may not always be the solution that the legal experts can provide, it may be another of our specialist teams offers a more effective solution
• Develop own and other fee-earners skills and experience, sharing knowledge and best practice to the benefit of the firm, its clients, and employees.
• Work with Partners to continually improve the firm's operating practices.
• Complete all mandatory training and maintain CPD requirements.
  
  

Business development

• Build visibility and contribute to seminars, presentations, and other marketing opportunities to publicise the firm’s expertise e.g., by writing articles for publication.
• Support Partners in developing and/or pitching for business.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, And Experience

• Degree educated.
• Professional track record in a comparable firm with 3+ years of relevant post qualification experience in our core practice areas and experience handling high profile clients.
• It would be desirable to be qualified in the Republic of Ireland, but this is not an essential requirement.
• Sound judgement, excellent analytical skills, and proven record of success in resolution of client matters.
• Maintains network of professional contacts to keep abreast of new ideas in area of specialism.
• Self-starter with a high level of personal responsibility and drive and collegiate working style.
• Robust and able to overcome challenges; performs consistently well under pressure.
• Demonstrates highest standards of professional and personal integrity.
  
  

Life at Schillings

Given our audacious (and successful) business strategy, it is not surprising that Schillings has a very strong culture. The atmosphere is highly collaborative and focused on excellence. We have worked hard over the years to develop a coaching culture and are remarkably non-hierarchical, especially given our roots as a law firm. Schillings has adopted a set of values to put at the heart of this change and they reflect the intention and tenor of our ambitious plans. They are: ‘Innovative; Bold; United; and Excellent’. Our client list speaks for the outstanding results that have been delivered over many years and the task now is to grow without losing any of the commitment to delivering for clients or the service ethos. Finding people who share our values and can thrive in this environment is key to our success.

It takes a unique mix of people to create something truly great. We appreciate that diversity of thought, background and culture creates the best environment to truly innovate, solve problems and achieve our goals. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds – if you are driven and want to achieve your best then we will give you the platform and support to succeed.

Please let us know if there are any extenuating circumstances we should consider, or any adjustments we may need to make to our selection process, when making your application.

Find our candidate privacy notice here, Candidate Privacy Notice (schillingspartners.com)