Associate

Farrer & Co is synonymous with the highest quality legal advice and service.

We advise individuals, families, businesses, financial services, educational and not-for-profit organisations on every aspect of the law, wherever the need arises. From our offices in London we work with trusted professionals around the world to deliver a seamless international service.

Our clients present us with complex and varied challenges. Whether that's a complicated family trust issue, a multinational corporate transaction, or an emerging threat to their reputation, they need clear thinkers who can advise on the best solutions, fast thinkers when speed is of the essence and agile thinkers who can produce a fresh approach to get the job done. That's why they choose us.

Our clients value our in-depth knowledge, technical excellence and diversity of disciplines. But what really binds our long-standing relationships with them is our approach: pragmatic, plain speaking and always steadfast in our values, which we hold dear. Values which mean we gain our clients' trust, always strive to do the right thing, and aim for the best results for them.

Superb client service sits at the heart of everything we do. We are modern lawyers with timeless values.

The Team

We provide broad legal assistance and expertise to the charity and not-for-profit sector, covering all the areas affecting institutions in these sectors, and those engaging with them.

Whilst our core work is in the field of charity and constitutional law, and related tax law, members of our team have broad legal experience and advise on a range of legal issues, often working alongside specialists in other teams across the firm.

The team prides itself as a source of innovative solutions for clients and thought leadership of relevance to the sector as a whole. Our work is largely based in England and Wales, although a significant proportion of our clients are based overseas or have international interests.

Scope

The Charity and Community Team is looking to recruit an Associate of 2-4 years’ PQE.

They will demonstrate a keen interest in this specialised field of law, together with a strong willingness to learn and to develop technical knowledge and experience.

The work will encompass charity structuring and restructuring, governance and constitutional matters, trading and relationships with non-charitable subsidiaries, charity tax and fundraising regulation as well as practice and business development.

Responsibilities

The successful applicant will work with partners and other associates/senior lawyers in the team (and elsewhere in the firm) on a full range of legal matters for charity and institutional clients.

The successful applicant will also be expected to get involved in a range of business development initiatives and develop a profile amongst peers and in the wider sector. This will include verbal and written presentations in various media on technical and topical subjects, and the delivery of training to clients and contacts.

Skills and Experience

• Strong academic background.
• Some experience in the field of charity law ideally including at least some of the following: charity structuring and restructuring (including formation, incorporation, mergers and group arrangements), governance and constitutional matters, trading and relationships with non-charitable subsidiaries, charity tax and fundraising regulation (including the regime for professional fundraisers and commercial participators).
• Good working knowledge in the fields of corporate, commercial and trust law.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to deliver tailored, client-centred advice.
• The ability to display confidence, autonomy and ownership in carrying out small- to medium-sized matters and to be relied on in assisting more senior fee earners on medium- to large-sized matters.
• The organisational skills to progress transactions and provide proactive support to partners and senior colleagues in the firm, as well as clear direction when delegating to more junior fee earners.

Person Specification

• Some technical knowledge and practical experience of charity law.
• Excellent communication skills, including an ability to persuade, present and write effectively.
• Self-starting approach to tasks and projects and ability to work on own initiative.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• Commercial awareness and a willingness and ability to develop the team’s practice.
• A diligent team member who is aligned with the values of the firm (Integrity, Excellent and Partnership) and has an “in this together” approach.

Education and Qualifications

• Degree: 2.1 or equivalent

Special aspects

The normal hours of work are 9.30am – 5.30pm but it is essential to be committed, flexible and prepared to work beyond the normal office hours when necessary and in response to client demand.

Farrer & Co operates an agile working framework under which members of the firm are expected to spend at least 40% of their working hours in the office. This is a minimum expectation: individuals may elect or be asked or expected to work more frequently in the office, depending on circumstance.

Farrer & Co is an equal opportunity employer which welcomes applications from candidates from all backgrounds. We look to employ the best candidates regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, social or economic background, religion, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, or any other protected characteristic.

We are keen to ensure candidates have the best interview experience possible. If you require any adjustments during the interview or application process, please let the recruitment team know.

Comments

Farrer & Co conducts a pre-employment screening which includes a Criminal History Background and Credit Check for successful candidates.