Corporate Solicitor / Senior Associate Solicitor - Southampton

Simpson Judge; Southampton; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Simpson Judge in Southampton is seeking an Associate or Senior Associate to join its Corporate & Commercial team. You will handle private company M&A, private equity, JV work, and corporate reorganisations for UK and international clients in a supportive, ambitious environment.

The ideal candidate is England & Wales qualified with 2–5 years' PQE in corporate matters, academically strong (2:1 or above), and eager to develop in a high-performing mid-market firm.

Qualifications

• Qualified in England & Wales with 2-5 years' PQE in corporate work.
• Strong academically (2:1 degree or above preferred).
• Experienced within a corporate team and confident across a wide range of corporate matters.
• Commercially aware, proactive, and keen to develop their career within a high-performing team.

Responsibilities

• Private company mergers and acquisitions
• Private equity and venture capital transactions
• Management buyouts (MBOs) and buy-ins (MBIs)
• Joint ventures and shareholder/investment agreements
• Drafting articles of association and other constitutional documents
• Corporate reorganisations, reconstructions, and demergers
• Public company transactions, including flotations and takeovers
• Commercial lending, security arrangements, and business financing/refinancing

Skills

PQE 2-5 years

Commercially aware

Team player

Education

Qualified in England & Wales

Job description

Corporate Associate / Senior Associate

Location: Southampton

A leading UK law firm with a strong reputation in the mid-market is seeking an experienced Associate/Senior Associate to join its growing Corporate & Commercial team in Southampton. The firm is known for delivering high-quality legal advice across a wide range of practice areas, combining technical excellence with a collaborative and client-focused approach.

The Corporate & Commercial team advises a diverse portfolio of UK and international clients, ranging from high-growth start-ups and scale-ups to established and listed companies. Many members of the team bring experience from leading city firms, offering top-tier work within a supportive, friendly, and collegiate environment.

The Role

This position offers exposure to a varied and high-quality workload, including:

• Private company mergers and acquisitions
• Private equity and venture capital transactions
• Management buyouts (MBOs) and buy-ins (MBIs)
• Joint ventures and shareholder/investment agreements
• Drafting articles of association and other constitutional documents
• Corporate reorganisations, reconstructions, and demergers

You will also have the opportunity to work on more complex and high-value matters such as:

• Public company transactions, including flotations and takeovers
• Commercial lending, security arrangements, and business financing/refinancing

The team works with a broad client base, including acquirers, private equity and venture capital funds, founders, management teams, and lenders, and has a strong track record advising on significant regional transactions.

About You

This opportunity would suit an Associate, or Senior Associate who is:

• Qualified in England & Wales with between 2 - 5 years' PQE of corporate work, although high-calibre candidates outside this range will be considered including at a more senior level.
• Strong academically (2:1 degree or above preferred)
• Experienced within a corporate team and confident across a wide range of corporate matters
• Commercially aware, proactive, and keen to develop their career within a high-performing team

This role is particularly well suited to candidates seeking a move from a larger regional or national firm, or those looking to relocate to Southampton and work on high-quality transactions within a supportive and ambitious environment.