Corporate Finance Associate

London, England, United Kingdom

10/18/2024

What We Will Offer

You would join an ambitious firm with a clear strategy for profitable growth where you can get early responsibility and early involvement in growing the business. Our Corporate Team is ranked as Band 1 in Chambers for mid-market M&A, though we also often work on transactions opposite Magic Circle and leading US firms.

At Stephenson Harwood you can expect a collaborative and supportive culture, with a competitive and fair reward as well as recognition based on all round performance. This forms part of our internal promise to you called The Deal, which is made between the firm and its employees.

You Can Expect

• A Competitive salary and a host of family friendly policies
• Life assurance, Private health and Dental care for you and your family
• A range of flexible benefits including gym discount and retail vouchers
• Tech, cycle and electric car schemes
• The opportunity to support the firm's charity through volunteering leave
• A wellbeing strategy that focuses on preventative measures to maintain overall health, and tools and support for when we experience physical or mental difficulties. The strategy focuses on four pillars: physical, emotional, financial and social aspects.
  
  

Team Structure

Our Corporate Finance team advises on a broad range of corporate transactions and advisory work. Currently, the team is seeking to recruit a mid-level associate with experience of private M&A transactions, joint ventures and corporate reorganisations. Candidates with alternative and/or equivalent experience would be considered. The clients served cover a broad range of industry sectors, including Financial Services, Life Sciences & Healthcare, Decarbonisation, Technology, Transportation and Corporate Real Estate.

Main Responsibilities

• Clear, concise and unambiguous preparation and drafting of corporate and transaction documentation
• Negotiation of transaction documents and provision of commercially-minded legal advice as an integral part of our clients’ deal team
• Liaison with clients, specialist lawyers and other service providers in managing transactions
• Building excellent working relationships with clients and peers within the firm
• Developing own informal internal and external network of contacts
• Participating in and contributing to business development and profile-raising events such as client seminars and graduate recruitment activities
• Conducting legal research using internal and external knowledge management resources
  
  

Most of our roles are hybrid, meaning that colleagues benefit from working in our office and remotely. We are happy to discuss this and other flexible working arrangements with you as part of the application and interview process.

Attributes/Skills Required

• Background in a firm with an excellent corporate reputation and with a broad range of transactional experience
• Strong private M&A skills
• Strong technical abilities
• Ability and desire to work within a growing, ambitious and entrepreneurial team
• Ability to acquire, consolidate and apply fundamental and up-to-date knowledge of the law
• Accuracy and attention to detail
• Excellent verbal communication skills
• Organised and able to work to strict deadlines with the ability to prioritise realistically
• Good housekeeping/file management practices; managing and recording time promptly and accurately
• Resilient with the ability to handle setbacks and pressure
• Cooperative and collaborative in approach and able to develop excellent working relationships at all levels and within all roles
• Ability to operate professionally and proactively at all times
• Self-aware and an active participant in self-development
• Flexible, a lateral thinker
• Exhibits an understanding of the Firm’s position in the market and how it distinguishes its services from its competitors
• Excellent academic and professional qualifications
  
  

This job description is indicative only and does not represent an exhaustive list of responsibilities. The firm reserves the right to alter or change the responsibilities at any time, in line with the firm's strategy and business needs.

We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to having a diverse workforce. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, culture or any other protected characteristics. We aim to create a culture where everyone can be themselves and is valued for their strengths and unique perspectives.

About The Firm

With 8 offices worldwide and with our headquarters based in London, Stephenson Harwood is a law firm where our people are committed to achieving the goals of our clients - listed and private companies, institutions, and individuals across the globe. Our mix of expertise and culture results in a combination of deep local insight and the capability to provide a seamless international service.

Our experience encompasses corporate, commercial litigation and arbitration, employment, pensions and private wealth, finance, marine and international trade, and real estate and projects.

We assemble teams of bright thinkers to match our clients' needs and give the right advice from the right person at the right time. Dedicating the highest calibre of legal talent to overcome the most complex issues, we deliver pragmatic, expert advice that is set squarely in the real world.

We understand the power of diversity in delivering that high calibre advice to our clients. We want to attract diverse talent and we particularly encourage applications from underrepresented demographics.

Our Values

Individuality - We encourage creativity and develop talent

Commitment - To be the best and deliver the highest standard

Teamwork - We work together to build close, long-term relationships

Straight talking - We say what we mean and do what we say

These values express the personality of the individuals within our firm. They are the behaviours we encourage in our people and the standards which inform our decisions and actions.

Our vision into 2026

To be a successful firm where talented people work together in an entrepreneurial environment, building long term client relationships.

This vision is about who we want to be, as well as who we are. It is as much about our values as about our character – the attributes we want to see from all of our people. It also reflects the importance of remaining independent - a clear sign that we are confident in our own future. That's how we unlock our entrepreneurial spirit, advising our clients with top performing teams.

A key part of the 2026 strategy is to focus on five core sectors: decarbonisation, life sciences, private capital & funds, technology, and transportation & trade. These have been identified as crucial in the drive for accelerated profitable growth.