Corporate nq/solicitor/associate/senior associate

Job Description

Corporate NQ / Solicitor / Associate / Senior Associate – Corporate

Location: Southampton

A leading UK law firm with a strong reputation in the mid-market is seeking a talented Corporate NQ/Solicitor/Associate/ Senior Associate to join its growing Corporate & Commercial team in Southampton. The firm is known for delivering high-quality legal advice across a wide range of practice areas, combining technical excellence with a collaborative and client-focused approach.

The Corporate & Commercial team advises a diverse portfolio of UK and international clients, ranging from high-growth start-ups and scale-ups to established and listed companies. Many members of the team bring experience from leading city firms, offering top-tier work within a supportive, friendly, and collegiate environment.

The Role

This position offers exposure to a varied and high-quality workload, including:

• Private company mergers and acquisitions
• Private equity and venture capital transactions
• Management buyouts (MBOs) and buy-ins (MBIs)
• Joint ventures and shareholder/investment agreements
• Drafting articles of association and other constitutional documents
• Corporate reorganisations, reconstructions, and demergers

You will also have the opportunity to work on more complex and high-value matters such as:

• Public company transactions, including flotations and takeovers
• Commercial lending, security arrangements, and business financing/refinancing

The team works with a broad client base, including acquirers, private equity and venture capital funds, founders, management teams, and lenders, and has a strong track record advising on significant regional transactions.

About You

This opportunity would suit a Solicitor, Associate, or Senior Associate who is:

• Qualified in England & Wales
• Strong academically (2:1 degree or above preferred)
• Ideally 1–3 years’ PQE, although high-calibre candidates outside this range will be considered including candidates at NQ level or at a more senior level.
• Experienced within a corporate team and confident across a wide range of corporate matters
• Commercially aware, proactive, and keen to develop their career within a high-performing team

This role is particularly well suited to candidates seeking a move from a larger regional or national firm, or those looking to relocate to Southampton and work on high-quality transactions within a supportive and ambitious environment.

Please contact Sam Higgins at Simpson Judge for further information about this role.