Associate

What does the role entail? 

This is an exciting role for NQ solicitor with experience in commercial/corporate law and/or venture capital work. The work that the firm does is commercial and innovative and so an entrepreneurial spirit is essential. The successful candidate will work directly with clients and will manage his/her/their own work and those of junior solicitors and trainee solicitors.

The role itself is very broad including drafting commercial documentation, advising on investment rounds, structuring employee option and incentive schemes and advising on tax incentive schemes (SEIS and EIS) specific to investors in startups. The candidate does not need to have had experience in all of these areas, but a detailed understanding and experience of commercial documentation and investment round documentation is essential.

The successful candidate will act for founders and startups to help them set up and grow their businesses. The candidate must demonstrate the ability to play a pivotal role in transactions with evidence of having handled matters for clients on his/her/their own.

The successful candidate will be expected to pro-actively network and promote the firm’s services whilst securing new clients and managing the firm’s advice to them.

The role will involve supervising junior and trainee solicitors and assisting with drafting, reviewing and commenting on their work.

Good communication, client care and organisational skills as well as accuracy and drafting ability are all required.

Is there career progression?

We are a small firm and are looking to recruit an associate who will be given a high level of responsibility and client contact. This is the first mid-level hire intended to form part of a broader expanded team.

The firm is open to retaining this hire through to partnership. However, in order to secure partnership, the successful candidate will need to (i) demonstrate excellent technical skills (ii) efficiently and effectively manage more junior team members (iii) secure new clients and manage work for new and existing clients and (iv) grow fee revenue such that the firm can recruit a broader team of associates junior to him/her/them.

What are we looking for in a candidate?

Enthusiasm – our team is young and our clients are generally excited innovative founders. A vibrant, enthusiastic attitude is crucial.

“Get up and go” attitude – this role will only suit someone who enjoys pro-actively engaging with clients and marketing the firm.

Team player – as a small team, everyone pitches in to get work done and to ensure that clients are satisfied. An individual who works alone and does not interact well with other people would not suit this role.

Strong delegation skills – the successful applicant will be managing more junior lawyers. He/she must be good at delegating and reviewing the work of more junior members of the team.

Excellent presentational skills – the successful applicant will be confident presenting in public and to the rest of the team.

Who will you be working with?

Our team is small and friendly. We are also a diverse bunch with a range of backgrounds and interests. We have a fairly relaxed culture compared to other firms.

We have three objectives we want team members to achieve every day:

• provide the best service to our clients;
• achieve something (whether it be an aspect of personal development, or a task you have done really well); and
• have fun.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from anyone regardless of their background.

About our firm

Buckworths was set up in 2011 and has office in London. We are the only law firm in the UK market working exclusively with startups. Our clients include some of the most exciting and innovative startup businesses in the UK.

The detail

You will be entitled to sign up to our private health insurance.
You will be entitled to sign up to our 50% discounted gym membership with Virgin Active, Nuffield Health, David Lloyd and the Gym Group.
You will be entitled to sign up to our discounts and rewards scheme.
You will be entitled to sign up to our professional development programme.
You will enjoy our free snacks and drinks bar at the office.
You will be entitled to sign up to our pension scheme provided by NEST.
You will be entitled to access our “Cycle to Work” scheme which provides subsidised purchase of a bike.
Your working hours will be 9:30am to 6:00pm Monday to Friday.
You have a holiday entitlement of 25 days holiday plus bank holidays.
You will be entitled to a free day on your birthday.
You will work at our London office which is at 2nd Floor, 1-3 Worship Street, London, EC2A 2AB.