Corporate Legal Partner

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