Associate

Birketts is a full service, UK Top 50 law firm. With a heritage spanning 160 years, we have more than 700 lawyers and legal professionals based across our 7 locations to include Bristol, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Ipswich, London, Norwich and Sevenoaks. We advise businesses, government and public sector organisations and individuals in the UK and internationally across four principal practice groups: property, corporate services, litigation and private client advisory.

We are defined by our next level law proposition. We work with our clients as a proactive partner, horizon scanning and thinking ahead to the changes, challenges or opportunities that they may face.

Next Level Law is also applied to our people. Our collegiate culture means everyone is encouraged to achieve their next level in everything they do.

With our ambition to succeed, comes a strong desire to make a positive contribution to the communities we serve, and we are committed to delivering the objectives set out in our ESG strategy. Diversity plays an integral part in all that we do, with female partners comprising 40% of our partnership.

Our CLDR (Commercial Litigation Dispute Resolution) team collaborates with its clients to avoid disputes. Where a dispute does arise, the team will focus on resolving it as swiftly as possible.

Our specialist team of over 30 lawyers act for a broad range of clients including high net worth individuals, entrepreneurs, SME’s, listed companies and multi-nationals. Our lawyers conduct litigation in the High Court and the Court of Appeal and act for clients in arbitrations and other forms of alternative dispute resolution. Our opponents are typically major London and international law firms. We have strong links with proven junior and leading counsel in leading London commercial chambers.

Our teams are routinely ranked in the top tier by the legal directories, Legal 500 and Chambers. Indeed, Birketts has more ranked contentious lawyers than any other firm in East Anglia. Interviewees in Chambers [UK 2023] describe the Litigation Team as "at the top of its game".

The team prides itself on developing relationships with its clients and resolving disputes quickly and with minimum fuss. Many of the team’s clients are home grown and have been clients of the firm for many years. The team has an expanding international client base.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a dynamic market leading team dealing with high quality work. The recruitment of this role is due to growth, we are looking for an Associate Solicitor (around 3-5 years PQE) to cover a broad range of work across the team and contribute more widely to its growth, with 3 solicitors at the 0-2 PQE stage in the Ipswich team.

The role can be based ideally in Ipswich, but we will also consider Norwich and Chelmsford with weekly travel to Ipswich to work alongside the team ( travel expenses covered by Birketts). 

Accountabilities will include but are not limited to:

• Running and managing files
• Interacting directly with clients and building the client relationship
• Assisting senior members of the Team with their cases
• Using document management, CRM and time recording systems
• Involvement in Business Development initiatives. 

The CLDR Team are seeking an Associate Solicitor of around 3-5 years PQE with a strong academic background.

An interest in and experience of advising on complex commercial disputes, enforcement of restrictive covenants and shareholder disputes would be welcomed. The successful applicant will have excellent technical skills, a high attention to detail and will produce work/documentation of a consistently high standard. They will be commercially astute, with a strong client focused approach, and aptitude for business development, be that writing articles or attending networking events.

We are committed to recruiting individuals on merits of suitability for each role, on the basis of qualifications and experience. All applications are treated fairly and equally regardless of sexual orientation, race, disability, religious beliefs and any other protected characteristic, ensuring that there are equal opportunities at all stages of the recruitment process.

Benefits

One of the best things about joining Birketts is our rewards package. At Birketts we are appreciative of the people who work for us and our rewards package is reviewed regularly to reflect that. A competitive salary and benefits package is given but you can also expect a great team and supportive colleagues, a strong focus on diversity, inclusion and equal opportunities, a programme of wellbeing and mental health support and structured career development and study support.

https://www.birketts.co.uk/recognition-reward-benefits/

• 25 days holiday (FTE) plus Bank Holidays rising with service. 
• Long Service holiday award – 1 extra week every 10 years continuous service
• Private Healthcare - BUPA (offered after probation is passed)
• Scottish Widows Pension Scheme (5% employer / 5% Employee)
• Staff Profit Share / Salary sacrifice (Pensions, Staff Profit Share)
• Life Assurance   - 4 x salary / Permanent Health Insurance
• Paid CSR day
• Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Leave
• Season Ticket Loan
• Gym Flex membership
• Electric car scheme
• Dress for your Day Policy
• Agile / hybrid working Policy
• 35 hour working week.

Birketts is a flexible business which has embraced a hybrid working model where our colleagues enjoy a mix of home and office working. We welcome applications from people looking for flexible, agile, and part-time roles and we are happy to explore your preferred working patterns as part of your application.