JOB DESCRIPTION
At Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, our ambition is to help you achieve your goals.
Exceptional client service and the pursuit of excellence are at our core. We invest in and care about our client relationships, which is why many are incredibly longstanding. And we enjoy breaking new ground, as we have for over 100 years.
We are where you need us to be. We are in the world's largest markets, key financial centres and major growth hubs. Our international footprint is extensive and committed.
We are at our best tackling complexity and navigating change. We work alongside you on demanding contentious matters, exacting regulatory work and complex public and private market transactions. We are recognised as leading in these areas.
We are immersed in the sectors and challenges that impact you. We are recognised as standing apart in energy, ESG, infrastructure and resources. And we're focused on areas of growth that affect every business across the world, including technology and digitalisation.
All of this is achieved by supporting the growth of our people, who help us deliver on our ambition - which is to help you achieve yours.
Your goals. Our ambition.
The Opportunity
Key Responsibilities:
Pensions (within Employment, pensions and remuneration and incentives (EPI))
1. Main areas covered | corporate, advisory and litigation aspects relating to pensions
2. Key clients include | G4S | TimeWarner | TUI Travel | Pensions Insurance Corporation| Pension Protection Fund | Lloyds Banking Group
3. Sector expertise includes | accountancy, professional and business services | infrastructure and transport | financial institutions | insurance and reinsurance | TMT
The Pensions group and the role
Our pensions group advises employers, trustees, financial institutions, intermediaries, Governmental bodies and bidders and sellers on all aspects of occupational and increasingly personal pension arrangements. We provide clients with both domestic and cross-border pensions expertise.
4. We provide a full range of legal services in relation to pension schemes, as well as providing specialist support on transactions, litigation and insolvency matters. These include:
5. advising trustees, employers and scheme administrators on legal issues arising from the operation of schemes
6. advising in relation to funding deficits in defined benefit schemes and difficulties arising from the increased costs of financing them
7. advising on risk and volatility management through benefit design and insured solutions
8. advising on pension scheme reorganisations, mergers and wind-ups
9. advising professional and regulatory bodies
10. advising on public/private sector pensions issues
11. a substantial cross-departmental pensions disputes practice.
We are looking for candidates who can help to deal with the full spectrum of issues affecting pension schemes and the companies which sponsor them, from day-to-day drafting of documentation to advising businesses and trustees on a wide variety of legal issues. The successful candidate will provide first rate legal advice and suggest practical solutions to clients' problems. Note that the role is pensions specific and candidates will not be required to lead on employment or employee remuneration and incentive matters.
Qualifications, skills and experience:
12. Exceptional academics (at least a 2:1 degree classification)
13. Broad experience gained at a City or regional firm with a recognised pensions practice
14. We'd envisage the successful candidate to have 2-4.5 years of post-qualification experience within pensions but are happy to consider candidates with more or less experience who have the relevant skills and experience.
Team
Employment, Pensions & Incentives
Working Pattern
Full time
Location
London
Contract type
Permanent Contract
Diversity & Inclusion
We are committed to attracting people from all backgrounds and creating a respectful and inclusive culture where everyone thrives. We see this as essential to our success, including our ability to innovate and achieve sustained high performance. This is a key part of our Values—Human, Bold, and Outstanding.