Associate - Corporate

Birketts LLP; Ipswich; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday plus Bank Holidays

Private Healthcare with BUPA

Pension Scheme (5% employer / 5% employee)

Job summary

Birketts LLP is seeking an Associate to join our Corporate team in Ipswich. As part of the role, you will draft and negotiate corporate transaction documentation, conduct legal research, and provide crucial support to the team. This hybrid position allows for a mix of office and home working.

The ideal candidate will have 3-6 years PQE and demonstrate strong legal judgement, exceptional client service skills, and proficiency in relevant software. We are committed to an inclusive culture and welcome diverse applicants.

Qualifications

• Applies strong legal and commercial judgement; researches precedents effectively.
• Manages billing support and workload efficiently; meets financial targets.
• Delivers high-quality client service with minimal supervision.

Responsibilities

• Drafting, negotiating, and agreeing on documentation for corporate transactions.
• Providing support to the fee earners in the Corporate Team.
• Interacting directly with clients and attending meetings.

Skills

Legal and commercial judgement

Time management

Business development

Client service

Attention to detail

Communication

Proficiency in Microsoft Office

Education

3-6 years PQE

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Outlook

Job description

About Us

Birketts is a full service, UK Top 50 law firm. With a heritage spanning 160 years, we have more than 700 lawyers and legal professionals and over 600 staff based in Bristol, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Ipswich, London, Norwich and Sevenoaks. We advise businesses, government and public sector organisations and individuals in the UK and internationally across four principal practice groups: Real Estate, Corporate Services, Dispute Resolution and Private Client.

We are defined by our Next Level Law proposition. We work with our clients as a proactive partner, horizon scanning and thinking ahead to the changes, challenges or opportunities that they may face.

Next Level Law is also applied to our people. Our collegiate culture means everyone is encouraged to achieve their next level in everything they do. RollOnFriday recently ranked us as the 6th best law firm to work at in 2026.

With our ambition to succeed, comes a strong desire to make a positive contribution to the communities we serve, and we are committed to delivering the objectives set out in our ESG strategy. Diversity plays an integral part in all that we do, with female partners comprising 45% of our partnership.

The team you will join

Our Corporate team sits within the wider Corporate Division and is experienced in dealing with international transactions as well as UK deals, including acquisitions of overseas businesses and disposals of UK companies to international buyers. The corporate team plays a leading role in several firm wide sector specialisms, including our Energy and Infrastructure Team, Food and Beverage Team, Healthcare Team and Motor Team.

The work you will be doing

You will be responsible for:

• Drafting, negotiating and agreeing primary and ancillary documentation for corporate transactions
• Undertaking legal research
• Providing support to the fee earners in the Corporate Team
• Managing your own transactions and files
• Liaising with other Team members on larger and more complex transactions
• Liaising with members of other teams in the firm, on due diligence and other aspects of transactions
• Interacting directly with clients
• Attending and participating in meetings with clients, intermediaries and other law firms
• Participating in marketing and networking initiatives
• Providing an efficient, professional and friendly service to clients

Please note that this job profile is not an exhaustive list of duties but merely an outline of the key components of the role. You may be required by your line manager to take on additional responsibilities when requested.

What we are looking for

Birketts has designed a 'Talent Management Framework' which provides a career structure that will help us develop, retain and reward talented people. As an Associate, we typically expect candidates to have between 3-6 years PQE.

• Applies strong legal and commercial judgement, researches precedents effectively, and drafts complex documents with appropriate senior guidance
• Manages time recording, billing support and workload efficiently to meet financial targets and maximise fee recovery
• Actively supports business development through events, pitches and networking, building profile and identifying opportunities via firm and client relationships
• Delivers high-quality client service with minimal supervision, providing timely, accurate advice and demonstrating strong understanding of client needs and priorities
• Manages time reliably, communicates proactively, embraces feedback, and demonstrates a collaborative, adaptable and positive "can‑do" approach
• Consistently meets compliance requirements by completing reviews and reports on time, adhering to risk management best practices, understanding Lexcel standards, and completing all mandatory training
• Strong attention to detail to produce work documentation which is consistently of a high standard
• Professional integrity and a commitment to providing excellent client service
• To be competent in using Microsoft Word, Excel, time recording software, case management, Outlook and digital dictation

Any information provided in relation to PQE should be used for guidance only and will not be determinative in the recruitment decision. Applicants will be considered on their individual merits.

Hybrid Working

Birketts is a flexible business which has embraced a hybrid working model where our colleagues enjoy a mix of home and office working. This role attracts a split of 60% office days and 40% working from home days per week.

We welcome applications from people looking for flexible, agile, and part‑time roles and we are happy to explore your preferred working patterns as part of your application.

Benefits

• 25 days holiday (FTE) plus Bank Holidays
• Long Service holiday award – 1 extra week every 10 years continuous service
• Private Healthcare with BUPA (offered after probation is passed)
• Scottish Widows Pension Scheme (5% employer / 5% Employee)
• Staff Profit Share and Individual Performance Bonus Scheme
• Salary sacrifice (Pensions, Staff Profit Share)
• Life Assurance – 4x salary / Permanent Health Insurance
• Paid CSR Day
• Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Leave
• Subsidised gym membership
• Electric car scheme
• Dress for your Day Policy

You can find out more on our website: https://www.birketts.co.uk/recognition-reward-benefits/

Inclusivity and Culture

At Birketts, our culture is driven by ambition and a commitment to positively impact all the communities we serve. We are dedicated to the success, development, and wellbeing of our colleagues, helping them achieve their goals and seize the opportunities that come with our growth.

Birketts is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our policy is unequivocal: we do not tolerate discrimination based on age, disability, sex, race, religion or belief, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, or sexual orientation.

We pride ourselves on being an inclusive organisation that actively promotes equality of opportunity for all, valuing the right mix of talent, skills, and potential. We welcome applications from a diverse range of candidates, and selection for roles is based solely on individual merit.

If you require this advert in an accessible format, please visit https://diversityjobsgroup.com/company/birketts/

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

At Birketts, we recognise the evolving role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the legal profession and recruitment. We welcome innovation and understand that candidates may use AI tools to support their job applications. However, we expect all applicants to use AI responsibly and ethically.

Our expectations regarding AI use in applications

• Your application should reflect your own voice, experiences, and insights. AI may assist in structuring or refining your responses, but it must not replace your personal input.
• Do not use AI to misrepresent your qualifications, experiences, or skills. Any form of exaggeration or fabrication may result in rejection from the process.
• If you have used AI tools to assist with your application, be prepared to discuss how and why you used them during the interview process.
• Do not submit content generated by AI tools that may include personal or sensitive data not intended for public disclosure.
• AI-generated content should be reviewed and edited by you to ensure accuracy, relevance, and alignment with the role and our firm’s values.

We are committed to fair and inclusive recruitment practices. The use of AI should enhance, not compromise, your application. We encourage candidates to demonstrate critical thinking, commercial awareness, and a genuine interest in our firm.

If you have any questions about our expectations or the use of AI in your application, please contact our Talent Acquisition Team via [e-mail]