Commercial Partner

Role Summary: 

Support and participate generally in the successful growth of the firm’s Commercial team Provide legal advice on a wide range of matters to commercial clients (both institutional and private).
Take an active role in business development and marketing the department and firm to existing and potential new clients.

Responsibillities: 

Professional/ Technical Advice

• Advise clients competently and confidently on the technical aspects of a wide range of commercial matters, particularly in the field of financial services, e.g. funds, banking & finance, regulatory, general corporate and intellectual property;

• Be assertive and creative when developing or finding solutions to problems and methods of working. Add value through innovative ideas and approaches;

• Approach issues with commercial sense and provide solutions which are pragmatic;

• Guide clients on strategy relating to the particular matter they are advising on, meeting client needs or reacting quickly to changing requirements. Recognise the implication of changes in transactions and draft amendments to complex documents accurately;

• Prepare case analyses and supporting documentation with cost estimates. Effectively negotiate with clients about fees. Be confident in discussions with matter partner about appropriate cost budgets and billing;

• Effectively monitor WIP and amounts billed against cost estimates and agreed budgets and billing arrangements;

• Participate in the firm’s internal and external training programmes;

• Contribute to the development of Know How and precedents when drafting complex documents.

Business Development

• Build and maintain relationships with clients, to help retain and attract more clients and work into the business. Actively contribute to the development of clients and contacts for the whole firm;

• Take a proactive role in developing relationships with key clients. Work with others to ensure a cross-departmental approach is taken to client management. Recognise and exploit cross-selling opportunities;

• Have a good understanding of activities and services of competitors and have mechanisms in place to keep up to date;

• Clearly understand the firm’s strategy and look for ways that the department can work with other groups to further develop opportunities. Participate effectively as a member of the team involved in winning business;

• Play an active role in the firm’s CSR initiatives and encourage those within the team to get involved;

• Actively promote the firm’s public profile.

Training, Supervision and Development

• Support senior associates and partners in the management and training of more junior fee earners and trainees;

• Demonstrate effective supervision and guidance to junior lawyers/ trainees/ paralegals to develop the skills of the team. Delegate and manage the work of trainees/ junior lawyers/ paralegals appropriately and monitor the progression of work, providing appropriate guidance when required;

• Help create a participative and productive work environment;

• Respect and encourage the contribution of junior lawyers and support staff. Encourage and support others to make the best of their abilities. Motivate colleagues through recognition, praise and mentoring;

• Constantly looks for ways to develop own skills and knowledge, including management

Qualification: 

Qualified lawyer (solicitor or barrister, qualified in a common law jurisdiction)

• A resourceful team player with a broad commercial/ corporate background
• Financial services experience
• Excellent organisational skills
• Excellent time management skills
• Excellent attention to detail
• Excellent drafting skills
• Good communicator at all levels, with strong interpersonal skills
• Client and service focused with excellent client facing skills
• Sound legal technical skills
• Commercially focussed and business aware