Our client is seeking a Corporate and Commercial Partner to join their boutique legal practice in the heart of London. They are looking for someone with experience at the Partner level within a mid-tier or boutique law firm. The ideal candidate will thrive in a relaxed, non-corporate environment and bring a sophisticated yet approachable demeanour.
The Firm
This is a fantastic opportunity to lead the corporate and commercial practice within a boutique firm that serves clients nationally, with a major hub in London. The firm handles a wide range of legal areas, including commercial, dispute resolution, and employment law. They work in partnership with a well-established accountancy practice, offering a robust pipeline of work.
Role Overview
We are seeking an experienced Corporate and Commercial Solicitor or Legal Executive to join as a Partner. You will play a pivotal role in developing client relationships and participating in business development to build new client relationships. The firm supports clients in various corporate and commercial areas, including:
- Joint Ventures - Shareholder Agreements and Bespoke Articles: Advising early-stage businesses on founder shareholder arrangements, drafting bespoke articles of association. Recent clients include professional services consultancies, an accountancy practice, a recruitment business, a pet product manufacturer, a family-owned construction business, and a property development joint venture.
- Investment Transactions (Debt and Equity): Advising companies on terms of investment at various growth stages, including straight equity investments, crowdfunding, convertible loan notes, share warrants, and advance subscription agreements. Transaction sizes typically range from £1m to £5m, with recent projects including a £16m equity raise for a longstanding client in the food and drink industry.
- M&A Transactions: Advising both sellers and buyers on share and asset sales, primarily for owner-managed businesses and minority shareholders exiting a business. Transaction sizes generally range from £1m to £5m, with a recent £18m sale of a family business in the meat industry to a trade buyer.
- Corporate Restructuring Exercises: Undertaking restructuring exercises for larger clients in anticipation of sales or investment transactions. Recent work includes restructuring a corporate group for an £18m share sale and moving a valuable real estate asset within a group to facilitate a £20m property sale.
- Institutional Finance Transactions: Advising clients on finance arrangements with institutional lenders, including negotiation of facility and security documentation. Transaction values typically range from £3m to £5m.
- Private / B2B Lending Arrangements: Assisting non-institutional lenders with B2B loan arrangements and associated security documentation. Loan values generally range from £500k to £1m.
- Growth Shares & Other Incentives: Advising on growth share schemes and EMI Option Schemes for owner-managed businesses. Collaborating with employment colleagues on options and equity incentives during employment disputes or exits.
- Commercial Settlements: Working with the dispute resolution team to document and implement commercial settlement terms.
- Commercial Contracts: Drafting and negotiating various commercial agreements, including standard terms, framework agreements, SaaS agreements, consultancy appointments, manufacturing and distribution agreements, software licensing, agency and commission agreements, and high-level data protection issues. Clients include professional services consultancies, an AIM-listed technology company, and a sports footwear platform.
Requirements
- UK qualified with a valid Solicitors' Practicing Certificate.
- Experience at Partner level within a mid-tier or boutique firm with a solid background in corporate and commercial law.
- Interest in diverse corporate and commercial areas, including intra-group corporate and business structuring work.
- Strong communicator with interpersonal skills and an entrepreneurial spirit.
What Makes The Firm Different
- Close-knit team environment, relaxed non bureaucratic environment with a focus on output
- Partnership with a leading accountancy practice, increasing project work.
- Bonus structure on top of a base salary, offering significant earning potential.
- Non-hierarchical and relaxed structure, promoting a fantastic work-life balance.
Location
- Flexible working arrangements with two days in the office (Tuesday and Thursday) in the heart of Fleet Street, the rest remote or hybrid.
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company events
- Company pension
- Employee mentoring programme
- Private medical insurance
- Hybrid working model two days a week office based
- Flexible working pattern with a focus on output and work life balance
Pay: £85,000.00-£110,000.00 per year