Associate - IpswichBirketts is a full service, UK Top 50 law firm. With a heritage spanning 160 years, we have more than 700 lawyers and legal professionals and over 600 staff based in Bristol, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Ipswich, London, Norwich and Sevenoaks. We advise businesses, government and public sector organisations and individuals in the UK and internationally across four principal practice groups: Real Estate, Corporate Services, Dispute Resolution and Private Client.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 6th best law firm to work at in 2026.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 45% of our partnership.This role sits in the Corporate Team within the Corporate Services Division.The Corporate Team is a nationally recognised and highly regarded team which includes over 60 fee earners, and 19 partners, many of whom are recommended in the latest Legal 500 rankings, often in the Hall of Fame category. The Team is enjoying substantial growth, resulting in the need for extra resource to take forward ambitious plans for the future.The Teams size and expertise mean we advise entrepreneurs, private equity and venture capital funds, financial institutions, owner-managed and privately owned businesses, as well as international investors and public companies, all at different stages of the business life-cycle from start-ups through to mergers and acquisitions, buy-outs and buy-ins, development capital fundraisings, EOT transactions, institutional sales/purchases, and management buyouts, to refinancing and exits. We are also highly experienced in international corporate transactions and work with a range of overseas law firms on cross-border transactions.The Corporate Team includes specialist private equity, venture capital, reorganisations, capital markets and incentives/EOT sub teams, and also benefits from working closely with other service lines in the Corporate Services Division, such as the Banking & Finance, Corporate Tax, Company Secretarial and Commercial and Technology teams.The Team enjoys the resources of two dedicated professional support lawyers, as well as know-how resources such as FromCounsel and Practical Law, and document automation products such as Clarilis. The Team has a Corporate Innovation Group, evaluating and developing innovation ideas and the adoption of new technologies, including AI, to improve efficiencies and the client experience.We play a leading role in several firm wide sector specialisms, including our Energy and Infrastructure Team, Food and Beverages Team, Independent Healthcare Team, Private Equity Team, Hospitality & Leisure Team, Transport & Logistics Team, and Automotive Team, amongst others.You will assist the team to advise clients on acquisitions, mergers and disposals of companies and businesses (including international transactions), investments, joint ventures and restructurings as well as shareholder agreements and general corporate governance. You will be assisting with the drafting and review of legal documents, preparing corporate ancillary documents and undertaking, co-ordinating and reviewing due diligence exercises.As such, your work would include:drafting, negotiating and agreeing primary and ancillary documentation for corporate transactionsundertaking legal researchproviding support to the fee earners in the Corporate Teammanaging your own transactions and filesliaising with other Team members on larger and more complex transactionsliaising with members of other teams in the firm, on due diligence and other aspects of transactionsinteracting directly with clientsattending and participating in meetings with clients, intermediaries and other law firmsattending business development eventsproviding an efficient, professional and friendly service to clients.Please note that this job profile is not an exhaustive list of duties but merely an outline of the key components of the role. You may be required by your line manager to take on additional responsibilities when requested.We are seeking a corporate solicitor, with experience of working on corporate transactions, ideally within a regional, national or City corporate team.Candidates will need to have:a good knowledge of Company law, and the ability to use precedents and know-how resourcesexperience of corporate transactionsstrong attention to detail to produce documentation which is consistently of a high standardcommercial awarenessa flexible approach to work to ensure client deadlines are always metthe ability to communicate regularly with clients and intermediariesthe ability to work with other team members, and to delegate to, and supervise trainees and junior team membersthe ability to record time promptly and accuratelyownership of personal financial performance, demonstrating accountability and a commercial mindsetawareness of, and attention to, regulatory requirements such as client onboarding requirements and anti-money laundering requirementsa willingness to adopt and explore AI and technology innovation in line with the Teams technology strategyan interest in and an aptitude towards business developmentPrior experience and/or knowledge of any of the firms sector specialisms, or the Corporate Teams specialist practice areas, such as private equity, venture capital, capital markets and reorganisations is beneficial, but not a requirement.Birketts has designed a 'Talent Management Framework' which provides a career structure that will help us develop, retain and reward talented people. As an Associate, we typically expect candidates to have between 3-6 years PQE.Applies strong legal and commercial judgement, researches precedents effectively, and drafts complex documents with appropriate senior guidanceManages time recording, billing support and workload efficiently to meet financial targets and maximise fee recoveryActively supports business development through events, pitches and networking, building profile and identifying opportunities via firm and client relationshipsDelivers high-quality client service with minimal supervision, providing timely, accurate advice and demonstrating strong understanding of client needs and prioritiesManages time reliably, communicates proactively, embraces feedback, and demonstrates a collaborative, adaptable and positive can-do approachConsistently meets compliance requirements by completing reviews and reports on time, adhering to risk management best practices, understanding Lexcel standards, and completing all mandatory trainingStrong attention to detail to produce work documentation which is consistently of a high standardProfessional integrity and a commitment to providing excellent client serviceTo be competent in using Microsoft Word, Excel, time recording software, case management, Outlook and digital dictationAny information provided in relation to PQE should be used for guidance only and will not be determinative in the recruitment decision. Applicants will be considered on their individual merits. Birketts is a flexible business which has embraced a hybrid working model where our colleagues enjoy a mix of home and office working. However, flexibility is required to work additional days in the office alongside colleagues when required to meet deadlines or attend meetings.We welcome applications from people looking for flexible, agile, and part-time roles and we are happy to explore your preferred working patterns as part of your application.As a Birketts colleague, you will be eligible to receive a wide range of benefits:25 days holiday (FTE) plus Bank HolidaysLong Service holiday award 1 extra week every 10 years continuous servicePrivate Healthcare with BUPA (offered after probation is passed)Scottish Widows Pension Scheme (5% employer / 5% Employee)Staff Profit Share and Individual Performance Bonus SchemeSalary sacrifice (Pensions, Staff Profit Share)Life Assurance - 4 x salary / Permanent Health InsurancePaid CSR DayEnhanced Maternity/Paternity LeaveSubsidised gym membershipElectric car schemeDress for your Day PolicyYou can find out more on our website:https://www.birketts.co.uk/recognition-reward-benefits/At Birketts, our culture is driven by ambition and a commitment to positively impact all the communities we serve. We are dedicated to the success, development, and wellbeing of our colleagues, helping them achieve their goals and seize the opportunities that come with our growth.Birketts is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our policy is unequivocal: we do not tolerate discrimination based on age, disability, sex, race, religion or belief, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, or sexual orientation.We pride ourselves on being an inclusive organisation that actively promotes equality of opportunity for all, valuing the right mix of talent, skills, and potential. We welcome applications from a diverse range of candidates, and selection for roles is based solely on individual merit.If you require this advert in an accessible format, please visithttps://diversityjobsgroup.com/company/birketts/At Birketts, we recognise the evolving role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the legal profession and recruitment. We welcome innovation and understand that candidates may use AI tools to support their job applications. However, we expect all applicants to use AI responsibly and ethically.Our expectations regarding AI use in applications:Your application should reflect your own voice, experiences, and insights. AI may assist in structuring or refining your responses, but it must not replace your personal input.Do not use AI to misrepresent your qualifications, experiences, or skills. Any form of exaggeration or fabrication may result in rejection from the process.If you have used AI tools to assist with your application, be prepared to discuss how and why you used them during the interview process.Do not submit content generated by AI tools that may include personal or sensitive data not intended for public disclosure.AI-generated content should be reviewed and edited by you to ensure accuracy, relevance, and alignment with the role and our firms values.We are committed to fair and inclusive recruitment practices. The use of AI should enhance, not compromise, your application. We encourage candidates to demonstrate critical thinking, commercial awareness, and a genuine interest in our firm.If you have any questions about our expectations or the use of AI in your application, please contact our Talent Acquisition Team viatalent@birketts.co.uk