What you’ll do
We are looking to recruit an experienced and driven Senior Associate (ideally with 5-7 years PQE) to play a key role in the continued growth and development of our Legal 500 tier 1 ranked Corporate team in either Bristol or Exeter.
You’ll join a friendly, collaborative and solutions-focused team that takes the time to understand what our clients want to achieve and applies clear, commercial judgment to deliver excellent outcomes. Working with clients ranging from entrepreneurial start-ups to major international organisations, you will lead on a broad portfolio of transactions including M&A, venture capital, cross-border matters, private equity investments, joint ventures and restructurings.
In this senior role, you will take a hands‑on approach to managing client relationships, supervising junior lawyers, and contributing to the strategic development of the practice. You will have the opportunity to deepen your sector expertise while developing trusted relationships across private equity, venture capital and other funds, as well as public and private companies.
If you are seeking a senior role where you can work on high‑calibre transactions that rival London firms, alongside Partners and lawyers with significant City experience, all whilst enjoying a positive work/life balance, this is an excellent opportunity for you.
Who you are
With a strong track record in a high‑performing corporate team, you will bring excellent technical ability, sound commercial judgment, and the confidence to manage complex transactions with autonomy. You will be a clear, credible communicator with the organisational skills expected of a senior member of the team.
Our relationships with clients sit at the heart of how we work. You will be able to demonstrate your ability to build deep, long-lasting relationships, supported by a genuine commitment to understanding their commercial priorities. Self‑motivated and ambitious, you will have a strong interest in the corporate landscape - from M&A and private equity to venture capital and broader market developments, and the drive to help us continue to grow and evolve our practice.
In a fast‑moving market, clients depend on us to provide proactive, commercially informed and up‑to‑date advice. You will bring enthusiasm for corporate law, strong awareness of legal and market trends, and an understanding of how these shape strategic decisions for our clients.
In return, we will support your progression and help you strengthen your sector knowledge, expand your professional networks, and take advantage of business development opportunities as you continue to build your professional profile and play a key role in the future success of the team.
Your Career. Our Commitment.
At Ashfords, we believe in more than just doing great work - we believe in building a great place to work.
When you join us, you become part of a team where everything we do is underpinned by our four core values: Be Open, Think Team, Make a Difference and Always Grow. These values shape who we are and how we work - they guide our decisions, influence our culture, and drive the way we support our people, clients and communities.
With a clear focus on innovation, community involvement, and supporting a healthy work‑life balance, we are committed to building an environment where our people can have a rewarding and meaningful career.
Whilst we recognise that every career journey is unique, we will be ambitious for you, giving you the tools, trust, and opportunities to develop your career, your way.
Our goal? To help you realise your full potential as part of a forward‑thinking team.
Our offer
We know that our people are at the heart of everything we do – and that’s why we’re committed to supporting your wellbeing, growth and work‑life balance.
Beyond our benefits package, you’ll be encouraged, no matter what your role or career level, to get involved in our Responsible Business programme, where you’ll support initiatives such as charity fundraising, environmental causes and our employee led diversity and inclusion groups.
You can find out more about our benefits by visiting the Reward & Wellbeing page on our website.
What’s next?
Our recruitment process typically involves two stages, which are designed not only to explore your skills and experience but also to give you a real insight into what it’s like to work at Ashfords. Throughout the process, our dedicated Talent Attraction team will be here to support you every step of the way.
We believe that building a firm with a wide range of perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences drives innovation and strengthens our teams, and we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds.
To support your growth, we offer ongoing training and development opportunities to help you reach your full potential – so even if you don’t feel you match all the requirements of the job role, we’d still love to hear from you.
At Ashfords, we’re committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels respected, valued, and empowered to succeed.
If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process or would like to discuss anything regarding your application, please contact us at .
For an informal and confidential discussion about this opportunity, please contact Toby Tompkins, Talent Attraction Manager - .
Or apply now, and we will be in touch with you as soon as possible.
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