About Us
Successful businesses rely on a unique set of
ideas
and
people
. We help our clients protect and develop those vital assets, unlocking
possibilities
for future success.
From iconic brands and leading multinationals to pioneering start-ups, we are proud to work with a huge range of inspiring clients, helping them to turn their ideas into reality and get the best from - and for - their people.
Our people are not only exceptional at what they do, they also enjoy doing it and consistently give their best to a firm they are proud to be part of. This stems from our
firm culture
and our ethos of
bravery and kindness
. That ethos runs through everything we do, from our approach to recruitment, business practices, and DEI activities to the day-to-day environment in our office and our relationships with clients.
With an internationally minded team of more than 700 working across key areas of law – plus strategic partnerships around the world – we've got both the combination and calibre of legal experts it takes to enable our clients' businesses to thrive. Whether it is providing global employment law advice, managing a global IP portfolio or piecing together a multijurisdictional corporate transaction, we are able to have the right people, in the right place, at the right time.
As a firm we aim to be brilliantly different in everything we do and to realise limitless possibilities - for our clients, our people and our colleagues. The legal services market is changing, clients expect more price certainty, faster turnaround and to engage digitally. Our vision is to become a technology enabled law firm, using technology to address changing customer expectations and compete in new ways. As ideas people, we are smart about the way we work as well as the solutions we create.
About the Corporate team
Our Corporate team is consistently top-ranked for corporate M&A. We are ranked in Tier 1 by Legal 500 and Band 1 by Chambers & Partners. We have the experience and resources to handle major transactions with a hands-on approach.We also have a successful and growing corporate finance practice within the team.
Our integrated business model brings together our deep sector knowledge and our specialist M&A capability with other legal disciplines enabling us to deliver highly efficient and cost-effective leadership and project management on our corporate transactions.
The team currently consists of 16 partners, 18 associates and two trainees, together with a high quality secretarial and word processing support team. The team operates as one combined team based across the London, Manchester, Cardiff and Belfast offices and consists of corporate, partnership, tax, banking and financial regulatory experts.
Our experts advise on the full range of corporate services including:
* Mergers and Acquisitions – we specialise in private M&A below £100m, both buy and sell side. Our clients range from UK, European and US companies, through to owner-managed businesses across countless sectors.
* Corporate finance – venture capital and private equity investments and pre-IPO fundraising. We act for investors from business angels and venture funds to private equity firms, as well as for investee companies and management/founders.
* Joint ventures – contractual structures, corporate and LLP vehicles, and tax efficient structuring.
* General corporate advice – insolvency and corporate recovery, statutory and regulatory compliance, shareholder agreements and constitutional agreements. This includes advising individuals on the best corporate vehicle for their business; keeping them up to date with recent changes in law and practice; and the right course of action to take should their business encounter financial difficulties.
* Debt – loans, security and general banking advice, usually advising borrowers.
* Public markets – IPOs and secondary issues (primarily on AIM or Aquis), as well as market rules, regulatory issues and continuing obligations.
* Tax – our experts provide the full range of corporate and employee tax. Getting the tax advice right is fundamental to any corporate activity and is why our tax experts are very much part of our Corporate team.
* Partnerships – advising on a broad range of non-contentious issues, primarily for LLPs.
About the role
This is a fantastic role for someone who loves company law and the technical side of being a Corporate lawyer, and who enjoys helping a close knit and fun team.
You will be required to focus on core practice development and professional support activities, including:
* Creating and updating precedents (we have a good suite, so maintenance is the priority).
* Creating and updating practice notes covering key issues of law and practice.
* Running monthly know-how sessions with the team, including the content of the session.
* Writing content for our e-news and articles for clients.
* Dealing with ad hoc questions (usually technical) from members of the team, and (from time to time) other parts of the firm.
* Assisting with content for the firm's website and intranet, including ensuring that know-how is appropriately stored, searchable and retrievable.
* Evaluating existing know-how and current awareness sources and assessing their effectiveness.
* Identifying the know-how requirements and training needs of team.
* Liaising with the firm's Learning & Development team to design appropriate skills training for our team.
* Supporting the team with the adoption and use of technology and innovative solutions for delivering client services.
* Exploring the use of automation for client-facing services and internal processes within the team and helping to embed a technology-led approach to our work.
* Demonstrating curiosity about emerging tools and methods for working to help our team deliver great work for clients in terms of cost and time.
* Helping to develop a strategy around client training and external conferences, knowledge-led business development and marketing content (including possible recruitment of another knowledge lawyer to focus on this, and management of such person).
About you
* You will be a highly experienced Corporate lawyer (7+ years PQE).
* You will have some experience in capital markets.
* Prior knowledge lawyer experience is not necessary but would be preferred.
* You should be technically excellent, with good drafting and writing skills and commercially savvy.
* A team-oriented, collegiate person and effective communicator. Good practical knowledge of IT and Know How systems is required.
* An inquisitive and creative approach to your work and a willingness to explore new ways of doing things.
* An active curiosity around technology, automation and a continuous improvement mindset.
* Some prior experience of working with legal tech or other innovative technology solutions would be ideal (but not required).
At Lewis Silkin our ethos is simple. We strive to do the best for our clients, our people and the communities in which we operate. We recognise that an inclusive workplace allows for all kinds of ideas and thoughts, a variety of points of view that can trigger discussions or deliver innovative results, and a wide range of versatile skills and expertise. We are proud of the diversity within Lewis Silkin and of our culture that allows people to be themselves at work, ensuring we provide the best possible service to our clients. We are committed to supporting candidates throughout the recruitment process by supporting anyone who requires adjustments, in order to ensure they have the opportunity to perform at their best. All applicants will be considered equally and fairly. If you'd like to request any adjustments throughout the recruitment process, or would like to discuss flexible working patterns, please email the recruitment team in confidence ).