Senior Associate / Legal Director

Birketts is a full service, UK Top 50 law firm. With a heritage spanning 160 years, we have more than 500 lawyers and legal professionals based in 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 Education team is highly regarded with a strong and stable client base. We are looking to make a strategic hire to bolster our firm wide Education practice by recruiting an experienced Education Corporate lawyer, who would lead on corporate education matters for our clients in the Education sector which includes, Higher and Further education institutions, Independent schools, education related bodies, as well as assisting with our Academies team.

The Education team consists of lawyers from across most of our offices and disciplines and this role would focus predominantly on Education and it aimed at an individual who is looking to build (or continue to build) their profile in the Education sector, and work with other Education team members to continue to grow Birketts’ reputation and standing in the Education sector.

To advise higher and further education institutions, training providers, independent schools and academies and local authorities on a broad range of corporate law, charity law, governance, regulatory and funding issues.

Advising universities and other education institutions on a range of commercial issues, as well as large corporate projects. This will include:

• Advising on transactions involving private education institutions on a variety of share sales and asset sales including the sale of private higher education companies, private tertiary colleges, private nurseries and private school. 
• Assisting with and project managing legal due diligence, drafting and reviewing principal transaction documents, assisting with disclosure exercises and drafting and reviewing ancillary documents. 
• Assisting with pre- and post-sale re-organisations of private education groups, often with complex organisational structures requiring multiple steps and stages
• Advising on partnerships and collaborations between education institutions – drafting, reviewing and amending franchise agreements, study abroad agreements and dual award agreements.
•  Setting up subsidiary companies for higher and further education institutions and advising on intragroup arrangements such as management and governance agreements.
• Providing governance advice and carrying out constitutional reviews for further education corporations, higher education institutions and academy trusts including obtaining Privy Council, Department for Education and Charity Commission consent to constitutional amendments.
• Advising on mergers of education institutions (HE, FE and independent schools)
• Co-ordinating banking/finance and real estate work streams, and advising on the statutory dissolution process.
•  Advising on procurement disputes/issues relating to education institutions
• Assisting with applications for registration with the Charity Commission and Office for Students.

The successful candidate will have an excellent knowledge of the law yet be able to think commercially and analytically so as to provide accurate and practical advice to our clients, with an ability to think clearly under pressure and write concisely. You will also be expected to play an active role in marketing and practice development as well as providing a high level of service to existing clients.

Birketts has designed a career structure that will help us develop, retain and reward talented people. Promotion is based on assessment of your performance, competency and achievements. Our Talent Management Framework will see you joining as a Senior Associate and Legal Director, possibly Partner. This is a strategic appointment which offers strong career progression opportunities for the right candidate.

This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated self-starter to join a successful and friendly team in one of our office in a growing firm which enjoys an excellent reputation.

We are looking to recruit an individual who has the drive and commitment to assist Birketts’ in the continued growth and development of our Education practice and to become an essential core member of our Education team.

• Qualified Solicitor of at least 8 years PQE
• Strong academic background.
• Good level of experience of working within the education sector
• An interest in business development.

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.

Benefits include:

• 30 days holiday (FTE) plus Bank Holidays
• Long Service holiday award – 1 extra week every 10 years continuous service
• Private Healthcare with 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 ESG day (Environmental, Social and Governance)
• Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Leave
• Subsidised gym membership
• Electric car scheme
• Eye Care Voucher
• Agile Working Policy
• Dress for your Day Policy

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.