Corporate Associate

Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions; Leeds; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK law firm is seeking a Corporate Associate with 1-3 years PQE to join their award-winning team in Leeds. This role offers a chance to work on high-quality mergers, acquisitions, and corporate transactions. Candidates should have relevant experience in corporate law and excel in client service and teamwork. The firm values career development and offers competitive salary and benefits, including a bonus scheme. Join a collaborative culture focused on exceptional service delivery.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Bonus scheme

Professional development opportunities

Employee awards programme

Focus on employee wellbeing

Qualifications

• 1-3 years PQE in corporate law required.
• Directly relevant previous experience in corporate transactions.
• Strong technical knowledge of corporate law including M&A.

Responsibilities

• Working on mergers and acquisitions, disposals, and corporate sales.
• Drafting and negotiating shareholders agreements and joint venture agreements.
• Advising on corporate restructurings and reorganisations.

Skills

Ambitious and driven

Proactive and self-motivated

Excellent drafting and negotiation skills

Strong commercial acumen

Exceptional communication skills

Team player

Education

Qualified Solicitor in England and Wales

Tools

Microsoft Office

Case management systems

Job description

Job Description

Corporate Associate

Location: Leeds

Career Level: Associate 1-3 PQE

Salary: 40,000 - 55,000 Bonus

Join an Award-Winning Corporate Team

Are you an ambitious corporate lawyer looking to join one of the UK’s largest and most dynamic full-service law firms? Our client, a nationally recognised law firm with over 1,000 colleagues across 13 offices, is seeking a Corporate Associate with 1-3 years PQE to join their highly rated and award‑winning corporate team in Leeds.

This is an exceptional opportunity to work on high‑quality corporate transactions across a diverse range of sectors including healthcare, private equity, technology and retail. You’ll be joining a team of over 70 corporate lawyers who are commercially driven, collaborative and nationally respected, offering a powerful blend of regional insight and national legal expertise.

The Role

As a Corporate Associate you will be involved in the full range of corporate work including mergers and acquisitions, shareholder agreements, corporate restructurings, joint ventures and private equity transactions. You’ll be working on high‑value transactions for clients ranging from entrepreneurs and SMEs to financial institutions and FTSE 100 companies.

The team works seamlessly across the firm’s 13 UK offices and you will be a good team player who thrives in a collaborative environment. The firm encourages all lawyers from an early stage to network and develop their own client relationships and you will be actively supported in this and in progressing your career.

Key Responsibilities

• Working on mergers and acquisitions, disposals and corporate sales
• Drafting and negotiating shareholders agreements and joint venture agreements
• Advising on corporate restructurings, reorganisations and demergers
• Supporting private equity transactions and fundraising matters
• Conducting due diligence exercises
• Advising on corporate structures and governance matters
• Advising on equity capital markets transactions
• Working to a consistently high level and providing an exemplary level of client service and care
• Building and maintaining strong client relationships
• Contributing actively towards business development opportunities to ensure retention of existing clients and expansion of business
• Working collaboratively with colleagues across the firm’s 13 offices
• Demonstrating competent financial management and commercial awareness including accurate time recording, billing and achievement of targets
• Managing work in progress (WIP) effectively
• Maintaining up‑to‑date technical expertise at all times
• Being accountable for your own personal development and continuously developing interpersonal and soft skills
• Networking and developing your own client relationships with active support from the firm

Essential Requirements

• 1‑3 years PQE in corporate law
• Qualified Solicitor in England and Wales
• Directly relevant previous experience in corporate transactions
• Strong technical knowledge of corporate law including M&A, shareholders agreements and corporate structures
• Excellent drafting and negotiation skills
• Strong commercial acumen and understanding of clients’ industries and businesses
• Proven track record of competent financial management and ability to meet client expectations
• Sound case‑management skills
• Good IT skills, experience and confidence with using case management systems, electronic time recording and general Microsoft packages
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal
• Self‑starting friendly individual with excellent interpersonal skills
• Ability to work well in a team and collaborate effectively across multiple offices
• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage multiple matters simultaneously
• Commitment to delivering exemplary client service and care
• Ability to consistently demonstrate and embody the firm’s values

Highly Desirable

• Experience across multiple sectors such as healthcare, private equity, technology or retail
• Experience with private equity transactions
• Experience conducting due diligence exercises
• Interest in business development and networking
• Experience working collaboratively across multiple office locations

Key Attributes

• Ambitious and driven with a desire to progress your career
• Proactive and self‑motivated with strong work ethic
• Client‑focused with commitment to exceptional service delivery
• Team player who thrives in a collaborative environment
• Commercially astute with strong problem‑solving abilities
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Adaptable and able to work on diverse transactions
• Enthusiastic about corporate law and business development

What’s On Offer

Our client is committed to recognising and rewarding great work with rewards and benefits that are among the best in the business.

• Competitive salary: 40,000 - 55,000 (dependent on experience)
• Bonus scheme
• Clear progression pathway with leadership support
• Award‑winning firm with national reputation
• Part of a 70‑strong highly rated and award‑winning national corporate team
• Work with diverse client base from entrepreneurs and SMEs to financial institutions and FTSE 100 companies
• High‑value transactions across multiple sectors including healthcare, private equity, technology and retail
• Active support for networking and developing your own client relationships from an early stage
• Excellent training and professional development opportunities
• Employee awards programme recognising excellent work
• Strong focus on employee wellbeing

Strong Focus on Employee Wellbeing

Inclusive and diverse culture (Gold Investors in People Award, Firm of the Year at UK Diversity Legal Awards). Collaborative team environment where everyone’s voice is heard. Work seamlessly across 13 UK office locations. Modern Leeds office with excellent facilities. Flexible working arrangements available.

About Our Client

Our client is one of the largest full‑service law firms in the UK with over 1,000 colleagues across 13 offices nationwide. Built on solid foundations of integrity, entrepreneurialism and expertise, the firm has established an award‑winning reputation and continues to grow.

The highly rated and award‑winning corporate team comprises over 70 corporate lawyers operating from 13 UK locations. The team has extensive experience advising businesses ranging from entrepreneurs and SMEs to financial institutions and FTSE 100 companies. They provide advice and guidance on mergers and acquisitions, disposals, fundraising, private equity and equity capital markets, due diligence, joint ventures, shareholder arrangements, reorganisations and demergers, corporate structures and governance.

The award‑winning corporate team in Leeds is commercially driven, collaborative and nationally respected. Together they offer a powerful blend of regional insight and national legal expertise delivering high‑value transactions across sectors including healthcare, private equity, technology and retail.

The firm is widely recognised for its inclusive attitude and diversity, winning Firm of the Year at the UK Diversity Legal Awards and achieving Gold in the Investors in People Award.

The firm’s values are smart, bold and together, with a commitment to making a positive change at every touchpoint for colleagues, clients and communities.

Location

This role is based in the firm’s Leeds office located in the city centre, with excellent transport links and access to local amenities. The office offers a modern professional working environment with a friendly collaborative team culture. The team works seamlessly across all 13 UK office locations.

How to Apply

If you’re an ambitious corporate lawyer with a passion for delivering exceptional client service and keen to develop your career with an award‑winning team, we would love to hear from you. Click apply now or contact us.

Employment Type: Full‑Time

Experience Required: 1‑3 years

Vacancy: 1