Corporate & M&A Solicitor, Associate / Senior Associate, International Practice.

Abacus Careers; Belfast City; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Direct partner access

Mentoring

Hybrid working

Job summary

Abacus Careers in Belfast is seeking a Corporate & M&A Solicitor at Associate/Senior Associate level to work on cross-border transactions across the UK, Ireland and beyond within an international practice.

You will manage deal workstreams, advise FTSE, PE-backed clients, and benefit from direct partner access, mentoring and a clear route to the next step, with flexible hybrid working and a busy, high-performing culture.

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor with 3–8 years’ PQE in corporate and commercial transactional work.
• Hands-on M&A experience, including MBOs, private equity or cross-border work.
• Strong technical drafting and negotiation skills; able to manage a deal and the client’s expectations.
• Experience at a leading law firm, or in a comparable high-calibre commercial practice.
• A commercial, solutions-focused approach, and the ability to explain complex issues clearly to clients and colleagues.
• Ambition to grow, whether that means leading deals, developing juniors or building your own client following.

Responsibilities

• Work on high-value cross-border corporate transactions for international and domestic clients.
• Run deal workstreams and manage day-to-day client relationships at Associate level.
• Lead transactions, supervise juniors and play a visible part in business development at Senior Associate level.

Job description

Corporate & M&A Solicitor, Associate / Senior Associate, International Practice.

This new role offers cross border work in an international law firm. They are keen to hire a corporate solicitor to join a high-performing team working on M&A, private equity and complex transactions across the UK, Ireland and beyond.

The opportunity

• Work on high-value, cross-border corporate transactions for international and domestic clients, from FTSE-listed groups and PE houses to ambitious owner-managed businesses
• Act on a broad mix of deals: M&A (buy-side and sell-side), MBOs and MBIs, private equity and venture capital investments, joint ventures, group reorganisations, shareholder arrangements and corporate governance matters
• Work alongside international colleagues and counsel on multi-jurisdictional matters, giving you exposure few regional roles offer
• Take real responsibility: at Associate level you’ll run deal workstreams and manage the day-to-day client relationship. At Senior Associate level you’ll lead transactions, supervise junior lawyers and play a visible part in business development.
• Direct partner access, genuine mentoring and a clear route to the next step in your career.

What we’re looking for

• A qualified solicitor with around 3 to 8 years’ PQE (indicative, the level will be set by your experience), with a solid grounding in corporate and commercial transactional work
• Hands‑on M&A experience, ideally including MBOs, private equity or cross-border work, from first draft through to completion
• Strong technical drafting and negotiation skills, with the confidence to manage a deal and the client’s expectations
• Experience at a leading law firm, or in a comparable high‑calibre commercial practice
• A commercial, solutions‑focused approach, and the ability to explain complex issues clearly to clients and colleagues
• Ambition to grow, whether that means leading deals, developing juniors or building your own client following.

Why apply

• Join an international practice with the reach, brand and quality of work of a global firm, with the close, collaborative feel of a close-knit team
• Work on larger, more complex and more varied transactions than most regional corporate teams can offer
• Clear progression path, with structured development, training and mentoring
• Competitive salary and benefits package, depending on experience
• Flexible, hybrid working
• Central location with a modern working environment and a supportive, high‑performing culture.