Partner / Legal Director

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 in Cambridge, Chelmsford, Ipswich, London, Norwich and Sevenoaks, and we are delighted to share the opening of a new office in heart of Bristol city centre in the Autumn of 2024.

We advise businesses, government and public sector organisations, charities and other not-for-profit 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.

Birketts is recruiting for a talented Partner or Legal Director, ideally with 8+ years PQE to come and join a phenomenally successful, leading corporate division, collaborating specifically with the Employee Incentives team, who are looking for extra resource to take forward ambitious plans in connection with the growth strategy for our new Bristol office. 

The Employee Incentives team is led by our Partner Lisa Hayward. This specialist division advises a range of clients from start-ups to internationals, including listed companies.  Our work includes advising on:

• The selection, design and implementation of equity and cash incentive arrangements for employees to maximise their engagement.
• HMRC approved and tax efficient share plans including EMI, CSOP, SIP and SAYE.
• Bespoke growth share plans, nil paid plans and LTIPs.
• Employee benefit trusts
• The effect of existing arrangements in relation to terminations and corporate transactions.

The team also has national reputation for advising founders, trustees and executives in relation to Employee Ownership Trusts. 

We are seeking an individual who has the drive and commitment to assist Birketts in the continued growth and development of our Employee Incentives practice.

This is a great opportunity to be a key member of a highly successful and ambitious Employee Incentives team which forms part of the Corporate Tax Team (ranked as Tier 1 in Legal 500). 

You will support growth in Bristol and the development of the Corporate/Corporate Tax teams more generally. This will involve a range of business development activities, including attending BD events, networking, supporting on tenders/pitches and preparing thought leadership content for Birketts publications.

Qualifications / Experience:

• Minimum 8 years PQE
• Good level of experience as an Employee Incentives practitioner
• Experience of managing client relationships at a high level
• A keen interest in team management and development
• Experience of business development and seeking growth opportunities. 

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/

• 30 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.

Partner benefits discussed at interview stage.