Pensions Disputes Associate

Stephenson Harwood LLP; City Of London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

An international law firm is seeking a qualified lawyer to join their dynamic Private Wealth and Pensions Disputes Team. The role focuses on managing complex pensions disputes and offers exposure to a variety of cases within a supportive environment. The ideal candidate has a strong legal background, excellent communication skills, and a willingness to collaborate in a team. This position emphasizes early responsibility and recognition based on performance.

Benefits

Competitive and fair reward

Early responsibility

Recognition based on performance

Qualifications

• Strong prior experience in pensions trusts tax and/or estate disputes preferred.
• Willingness to take on a variety of pension dispute cases.
• Technical mindset with focus on accuracy and detail.

Responsibilities

• Run all aspects of a case including legal analysis and trial preparation.
• Advise on complex pensions disputes to various stakeholders.
• Draft legal correspondence and court documents.
• Liaise with clients and team members for case progression.
• Support and supervise junior team members.
• Conduct legal research on pensions legislation.
• Contribute to business development through networking.

Skills

Experience at an established firm

Attention to detail

Excellent communication skills

Ability to work in a team

Education

Qualified lawyer in England and Wales

Job description

What we will offer

We will offer you a place where you can be yourself and where there are no limits on what you can achieve. With us you can take ownership of your career and have honest conversations throughout. You would join an ambitious firm with a clear strategy for profitable growth where you can get early responsibility and early involvement in growing the business. Here you can expect a competitive and fair reward as well as recognition based on all round performance. This forms part of our internal promise to you The Deal between the firm and its employees.

Team Structure

Our Private Wealth and Pensions Disputes Team are hiring for an ambitious lawyer who are keen to join a team that is going from strength to strength.

The core team currently comprises 4 partners, 2 managing associates (one of which is shortly going on maternity leave), 1 mid-level associate, 3 junior associates, a trainee and a solicitor apprentice / paralegal.

This role is predominantly a pensions disputes focused role with the opportunity to work on other types of disputes should capacity and available cases permit.

The team works closely with other lawyers in the pensions advisory, private wealth, insolvency, regulatory and commercial litigation practices some of which are also deeply involved in the team's matters (as well as working with the rest of the firm's complimentary practices).

The team handles various kinds of disputes arising from pension schemes with particular aptitude in achieving results in alternative dispute resolution and mediations. Associates work on professional negligence claims, rectification / construction claims, part 8 & part 7 claims, judicial review / public law issues, contract disputes, international disputes, disputes concerning scheme funding, RPI / CPI matters etc. Compared to some pensions disputes practices the team has a broad spread of work with associates exposed to various types of disputes concerning pension schemes. The team has acted in many of the leading cases in the industry and before the highest courts. The team's clients range from pension scheme trustees to sponsoring employers; from multi-nationals and banks to charities and not-for-profits; from actuaries and scheme administrators to lawyers and documentation providers.

The team collectively and individually have been highly recognised or top-ranked in Legal 500 and Chambers directories.

We would be willing to consider motivated applicants who currently have broader contentious experience (e.g. in a commercial litigation team) provided they have a clear interest in developing specialist expertise in pensions disputes as well as lawyers who have strong prior experience in at least some pensions trusts tax and / or estate disputes.

Main Responsibilities

• Taking responsibility for running all aspects of a case including undertaking legal analysis feeding into case strategy and preparing for trial.
• Advising corporates, trustees, financial institutions, insurers and private individuals on complex pensions disputes.
• Drafting clear concise and unambiguous correspondence, legal advice and court documents particularly relating to the construction and rectification of trust and pension scheme documents.
• Liaising with clients, team members, counsel and other stakeholders to progress cases and deliver practical strategic advice.
• Considering and advising on evidence materials, limitation issues and case strategy.
• Supporting and supervising more junior members of the team providing guidance and feedback as needed.
• Working on professional negligence claims especially defending trustee and pension fund sponsors, advisers and supporting cases involving allegations of fraud or misappropriation of trust assets.
• Conducting legal research and analysis on trust law, pensions legislation and contentious issues.
• Contributing to the team's profile and business development by writing legal articles, developing internal and external networks and building strong relationships with clients and peers.

Attributes / Skills Required

• England and Wales qualified lawyer looking at progressing their career with experience at an established firm.
• A willingness to take on a variety of pensions dispute cases.
• Highly technical mindset with a focus on accuracy and attention to detail.
• Excellent verbal and numerical communication skills.
• Ability to acquire and apply fundamental and up-to-date knowledge of the law.
• Personable and positive attitude and enjoys working together in a team.

This job description is indicative only and does not represent an exhaustive list of responsibilities. The firm reserves the right to alter or change the responsibilities at any time in line with the firm's strategy and business needs.

About the Firm

Stephenson Harwood is an international law firm and were committed to creating positive partnerships with our clients. We represent listed and private companies, institutions and individuals building lasting relationships to help them succeed in a complex and ever-changing world.

Our focus is on five core sectors: Energy Transition, Life Sciences and Healthcare, Private Capital and Funds, Technology and Transportation and Trade.

With more than 1400 people including 210 partners across eight offices in Europe, the Middle East and Asia we combine deep legal capabilities and broad commercial expertise. We have also forged close ties with high quality law firms around the world blending local knowledge with global savvy for clients in over 100 countries.

We understand the power of diversity in delivering that high calibre advice to our clients. We want to attract diverse talent and we particularly encourage applications from underrepresented demographics.

Our brand strengths

• GO FAR GO TOGETHER
• EXPERTS IN MORE THAN LAW
• CAN DO PERSONALITIES
• ALWAYS READY