Corporate Partner (Ref 1100)

Birketts is a full service, UK Top 50 law firm. With a heritage spanning 160 years, we have more than 700 lawyers and legal professionals based in Cambridge, Chelmsford, Ipswich, London, Norwich, Sevenoaks and soon to be Bristol.

Birketts has operated a ‘hub’ in Bristol since January 2021, which has acted as a collaborative space for the Southwest-based Partners and lawyers. In line with the firm’s growth strategy and reflecting the dynamic Southwest economy, the firm will establish a full-service presence in Bristol in autumn 2024, providing business and private client services across the region, as well as in the UK and internationally.

We advise businesses, government and public sector organisations and individuals in the UK and internationally across four principal practice groups: property, corporate services, litigation and private client advisory. We are defined by our Next Level Law proposition. We work with our clients as a proactive partner, horizon scanning and thinking ahead to the changes, challenges or opportunities that they may face. Next Level Law is also applied to our people. Our collegiate culture means everyone is encouraged to achieve their next level in everything they do. RollOnFriday recently ranked us as the 5th best law firm to work at in 2024.

With our ambition to succeed, comes a strong desire to make a positive contribution to the communities we serve, and we are committed to delivering the objectives set out in our ESG strategy. Diversity plays an integral part in all that we do, with female partners comprising 40% of our partnership.

The Department

You will join a highly successful, corporate team of 16 partners and 50+ other fee earners, who are seeing substantial growth across all Corporate divisions.

Ranked Tier 1 in the Legal 500, our corporate team give first class legal advice, with a depth of resource and range of experience that allows us to successfully deliver a wide range of transactions - in value, complexity and commercial impact. We advise on all aspects of mergers, acquisitions and disposals, acting for sellers and buyers, management teams, and private equity and venture capital funds.

The corporate team plays a leading role in several firm wide sector specialisms, including, our Energy and Infrastructure Team, Food and Beverage Team, Healthcare Team, and Motor Team.

Our corporate team is experienced in dealing with international transactions as well as UK deals, including acquisitions and disposals of overseas businesses by our UK clients, as well as acquisitions and disposals of UK companies by our overseas clients. Our international team have a range of ‘best friend’ relationships with overseas firms, and we are a founder member of IAG Global, a global network of international advisers.

Many of our lawyers started their careers in other major domestic or international law firms or have worked in industry. People skills are essential to this role, you will work with an incredibly ambitious and motivated team who work as one team across all our offices and support each other in all corporate transactions.

Purpose of Job

We are looking to recruit an individual who has the drive and commitment to assist Birketts’ in the continued growth and development of our firmwide corporate practice and to become an essential core member of the Partnership, and in particular to support growth in Bristol to build and develop the Corporate team. You will be involved in a range of business development activities, including attending networking and BD events, supporting on tenders/pitches, and drafting sector-relevant articles for our own and external publications.

Accountabilities

The successful candidate will have an exceptional knowledge of the law yet be able to think commercially and analytically to provide accurate and practical advice to clients and high net worth individuals which is tailored to their needs, with an ability to think clearly under pressure and write concisely. You will also be expected to play an active role in marketing and practice development as well as providing a prominent level of service to existing clients.

As a Partner, we would also expect you to have experience of managing client relationships, and to have in depth knowledge of the region, and to have existing relationships with the business community in the region. This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated initiative-taker to join a successful and friendly team in Bristol in a growing firm which enjoys an excellent reputation.

• Technically capable corporate lawyer with experience of advising on buy side and sell side transactions, along with other general corporate transactions such as reorganisations and corporate joint ventures.
• Specialist experience of private equity, venture capital, EOT transactions, share incentive schemes or any our firm wide sector specialisms, would be an advantage.
• The ability to manage transactions independently, supervising junior team members as necessary.
• You will have experience of working with start-ups, owner managed businesses and family-owned businesses, as well as large corporate clients, PE houses and funds.
• Knowledge of motivating a team, ensuring junior staff are supported in line with our Learning & Development policies.

Equal opportunities

At Birketts we are appreciative of the people who work for us and our rewards package is reviewed regularly to reflect that. A competitive salary and benefits package is given but you can also expect a great team and supportive colleagues, a strong focus on diversity, inclusion and equal opportunities, a programme of wellbeing and mental health support and structured career development and study support.

Benefits

Partner benefits discussed as part of process.

We are committed to recruiting individuals on merits of suitability for each role, on the basis of qualifications and experience. All applications are treated fairly and equally regardless of sexual orientation, race, disability, religious beliefs and any other protected characteristic, ensuring that there are equal opportunities at all stages of the recruitment process.