Legal careers

We are keen to appoint an experienced corporate lawyer, to join our Corporate Department.  The position is within a dynamic and expanding group consisting of nine partners and 12 other fee earners, handling corporate finance work for listed and unlisted companies.

Field Fisher Waterhouse is recognised by The Legal 500 as being one of the top firms in the UK for its M&A work and in one recent survey, Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP came out as the number one adviser on AIM flotations.  The successful candidates will join a friendly and dynamic team.

Key responsibilities

Working closely with the partners and involving high levels of direct client contact, the work is likely to include:

• M&A work for UK, European and US clients
• listings
• fund raising on the public markets (particularly AIM) and of private equity
• general corporate work for clients ranging from early stage entrepreneurial businesses to household names
• drafting, especially of sale and purchase agreements, placing agreements, subscription and shareholder agreements
• listed company work, including reviewing and advising on listing particulars, verification and due diligence
• group restructuring, some in an insolvency context
• joint ventures
• advice to directors

Skills/experience required

The successful candidates must have:

• minimum of a 2:1 from a good university
• relevant ‘hands-on’ work experience, ideally gained in the UK
• proven project and time management skills
• a confident and professional manner
• experience of working in a City firm (or equivalent)
• able to draft and amend reasonably complex documents seeking input from more senior colleagues on more technical matters
• may instruct junior colleagues on new matters
• supervises trainees and newly qualified trainees

Other information

The successful candidates will be expected to participate fully in marketing and business development initiatives.

We are keen to appoint an experienced commercial lawyer, to join the Media Group within our broader IP Department. The Media Group is at the heart of our sector-focused, cross departmental UK media team comprising 10 partners and six other fee earners.  The team also has links with additional lawyers in our German, French, Spanish and Italian offices.  The position is based within the commercial and regulatory part of the group, currently comprising two partners and two other fee earners.

The Media Group handles commercial transactions, regulatory advice, corporate transactions and dispute resolution in the broadcast, television production and distribution, film, publishing, music and new media sectors.  The Group serves a variety of very prominent clients including BBC, Fox, MTV, Disney, ITV, Freesat, Orange, Zonemedia, Apple and Warner Brothers amongst others.

The role will involve working closely with the partners in the commercial, regulatory and corporate parts of the media team on high profile and newsworthy transactions and on cutting-edge advisory work.

Field Fisher Waterhouse is recognised by The Legal 500 as being one of the top firms in the UK for media work. In addition, the successful candidate will join a friendly and dynamic group, dealing with an interesting mix of work. This is a great opportunity to work with a practice that is a leader in its field and to work in a role that offers a genuine opportunity to progress.

Key responsibilities

Working closely with the partners and involving high levels of direct client contact, the work is likely to include:

• strategic commercial transactional and advisory work
• commercial agreements relating to corporate media  transactions principally in the broadcast and new media sectors
• complex media rights licensing
• regulatory advice
• channel management, distribution and sales agency arrangements
• co-production, distribution and financing agreements
• new media and other content distribution arrangements

Skills/experience required

The successful candidates must be UK qualified and have:

• minimum of a 2:1 (or equivalent) from a good university
• exceptional UK media sector experience, demonstrating a real understanding of the legal needs, operations and economics of the sector, gained within a first class media law practice;
• proven project and time management skills
• a confident and professional manner
• the ability to draft and amend reasonably complex documents, seeking input from  colleagues on more technical matters
• the ability to instruct junior colleagues

In addition, experience of film finance would be desirable.

Other information

The successful candidates will be expected to participate fully in marketing and business development initiatives.

We are looking for a high calibre assistant solicitor, to join the international team within the commercial IP group with a focus on German work. Lawyers in this area work with a number of departments across the firm, advising a variety of international clients (currently mainly German clients) on English commercial transactions. In particular, there will be a focus on hotel management agreements, international commercial transactions and joint venture agreements. In addition we give advice on licensing agreements and international expansion projects.  The team also handles company formations and general commercial advice. As franchising is a specialist area relevant training is available. Existing knowledge of intellectual property law would be an advantage

As stated, the work will involve advice to international clients on matters of English law. Therefore, the ability to speak another language (other than English) fluently is desirable, ideally German but this is not a must.

Key responsibilities

This role is extremely varied, however is likely to include:

• advising international clients on UK contracts and transactions
• advising US clients on international projects in Europe
• hotel management agreements
• licensing and franchising
• international
• expansion projects
• non-contentious IP matters
• general commercial work

Skills/experience required:

• fluency in English and one other European Language
• UK qualified and ideally knowledge of relevant areas of German law (dual qualification is an advantage) is desirable
• strong academics minimum 2:1 or equivalent from a good university
• experience of having worked or studied abroad would be an advantage
• team player, with enthusiasm and a desire to learn and develop
• commercial awareness and genuine interest in the client’s business

Other information

The successful candidate will be expected to participate in marketing & practice development initiatives, including contributions to newsletters, briefing documents, talks and seminars.

We are looking for a good Outsourcing/IT lawyer to join one of the fastest growing and highly regarded practices in the City. The Technology Law Group covers all aspects of technology law predominantly IT outsourcing and IT procurements. The role is within a team consisting of 10 partners, 16 Assistants and four trainees, where assistants are expected to have a high degree of autonomy and responsibility over their work.

The current client base is wide ranging and includes household names such as Accenture, Ordnance Survey, Home Office, Thomas Cook, TfL, the BBC, Deloitte Consulting, Northgate, The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, financial services organisations and local authorities.

Key Responsibilities

The workload will be varied and is likely to include:

• IT contracts (outsourcing agreements, IT procurement, managed services, software & systems development, systems integration, software licensing, distribution & agency)
• advising on IPRs
• e-Commerce (Web hosting agreements, terms and conditions for internet businesses, privacy policies, partner and affiliate agreements)
• advising on the licensing and exploitation of databases
• a high degree of direct client contact on a day-to-day basis

Skills/experience required:

• ideally with some experience in IT contract work gained in a City firm
• Good drafting and negotiation skills
• proven track record in the areas of work listed above
• strong academics (min of 2:1 from a good university)
• sound working knowledge of contract and commercial law
• a good understanding of IP would be helpful (especially copyright, database rights and software patents)
• good team player

Other information

• there is a high possibility of spending time out of the office on client secondment, so flexibility is essential
• candidates who are currently in-house may also be of interest
• the successful candidate will be expected to participate fully in marketing and practice development initiatives

Comprising two partners and two other fee earners, our specialist Pensions practice advise employers, trustees of occupational pension schemes and various public authorities.  The department also works closely with our Investment Fund and Products groups and Employment.

Due to the increasing workload, we are looking to recruit an assistant solicitor.  The role will provide an ideal opportunity for an individual looking to make a visible and rapid personal contribution to the department, with an eye to future career progression within the firm.

Current clients include many household names (such as The Law Society, Arriva plc and Thomas Cook) and government departments.  Field Fisher Waterhouse is also the legal adviser to Electricity Pensions Trustee Limited which is the Scheme Trustee of the £22bn.  Electricity Supply Pension Scheme.

Key responsibilities

The main responsibilities will include advice on:

• scheme mergers
• “Fair Deal” transfers in the public sector
• wind- up of pensions schemes
• scheme documentation and up-dates
• employment law issues such as age discrimination
• personal pensions and stakeholder pensions
• pensions aspects of corporate transactions
• compensation for pension rights in Employment Tribunal cases

Skills /experience required

The successful candidate must have:

• strong academic background (ideally 2:1 from a good university)
• excellent technical skills with good attention to detail
• City-based work experience, preferably involving public sector transactions
• good interpersonal skills
• genuine desire to meet and exceed client expectations

The successful candidate may also have:

• prior track record of successful marketing

Our Financial Services and Funds Group provides advice to a wide range of financial services regulated businesses, notably fund managers, insurance companies, banks and brokers.

The practice is well known for its advice on the establishment of retail and institutional investment funds of all types (unit trusts, open- and closed-ended investment companies, limited partnerships and other types of collective investment vehicles - both onshore and offshore).  It is recognised in the UK Funds and Industry Review directory as a top 3 practice, and the investment funds practice is recognised as a leading practice in both Legal 500 and Chambers directories.

The Group however provides wide-ranging advice on the regulatory aspects not only of the investment products and services but also the running of the regulated businesses.  It advises on the financial services regulatory issues in the UK and also liaises with correspondent lawyers regarding international aspects.  Legal 500 and Chambers recognise the firm as an expert in financial services regulatory matters.

Led by Kirstene Baillie, our Financial Services and Funds Group is a thriving area of Field Fisher Waterhouse’s broader finance practice.  It has earned the reputation as a market leader and provides high quality advice to household name clients on the broadest possible range of financial services and products.  Our clients include SG Asset Management, Virgin, Fidelity Investments, Legg Mason, Jupiter and Bramdean.

Key responsibilities

The role is varied and likely to include:

• advising on all aspects of FSMA regulation and regulated activities
• troubleshooting including investigations, enforcement, discipline & liability management
• setting up new ventures – applications for authorisation to the FSA
• applications for rule waivers
• outsourcing contracts (administration) IT, call centres etc
• advice on marketing issues (including issues relating to misselling etc)
• advice on anti-money laundering procedures
• advice on interaction of UK and overseas regulations
• advice on interpretation of employment law and FSA’s rules
• drafting (reviewing customer agreements and terms of business)

The range would come from various sources. Financial services regulatory work is an integral part of advising financial services sector clients. We have an unusually wide ranging and well regarded finance practice for a firm of our size.  The Legal 500 acknowledge that we have particular expertise in asset finance and leasing, bank lending, derivatives, financial services, property finance, tax and bank lending, as well as investment funds.  Consequently numerous FSMA related issues arise for finance clients. In addition the wider corporate practice acts for a wide range of clients in all industry sectors ranging from multi-national companies and government departments to mid-corporate and entrepreneurs and various FSMA questions arise in relation to corporate finance and commercial transactions too.  Also we work with the FFW Regulatory Group on a variety of projects which have a financial services element; and for disciplinary matters and contentious matters, there is a link with our Commercial Litigation Group.

There will be plenty of opportunity for direct client contact.

Skills/experience required:

• strong academic record – minimum of a 2:1 from a good university
• relevant work experience, gained within a top City firm or appropriate in-house institution
• preferably a good understanding of various FS market sectors including securities markets
• attention to detail and excellent drafting skills
• interested in learning new areas of law on a continuous basis.  Good attitude to detailed research and analysis of academic issues
• commercial acumen, and able to demonstrate a genuine interest in the client’s business
• confident, personable, outgoing and mature

This particular role will concentrate more on the financial services regulatory side of the practice but there is likely to be some considerable cross-over with the funds and products work.  The two areas are not mutually exclusive.  Also a major part of the role is to support the firm generally, fielding regulatory questions on corporate transactions etc.

Our Financial Services and Funds Group provides advice to a wide range of financial services regulated businesses, notably fund managers, insurance companies, banks and brokers.

The practice is well known for its advice on the establishment of retail and institutional investment funds of all types (unit trusts, open- and closed-ended investment companies, limited partnerships and other types of collective investment vehicles - both onshore and offshore).  It is recognised in the UK Funds and Industry Review directory as a top 3 practice, and the investment funds practice is recognised as a leading practice in both The Legal 500 and Chambers directories.

The Group however provides wide-ranging advice on the regulatory aspects not only of the investment products and services but also the running of the regulated businesses.  It advises on the financial services regulatory issues in the UK and also liaises with correspondent lawyers regarding international aspects.  The Legal 500 and Chambers recognise the firm as an expert in financial services regulatory matters.

Led by Kirstene Baillie, our Financial Services and Funds Group is a thriving area of Field Fisher Waterhouse’s broader finance practice.  It has earned the reputation as a market leader and provides high quality advice to household name clients on the broadest possible range of financial services and products.  Our clients include SG Asset Management, Virgin, Fidelity Investments, Legg Mason, Jupiter and Bramdean.

Key responsibilities

The role is to work on a variety of projects, principally setting up new investment funds and financial products.  The role could include:

• establishment of UK authorised funds
• conversion of authorised unit trusts to ICVCs; and other changes to UK authorised funds
• Dublin and Luxembourg funds (UCITS and non UCITS)
• wrapper products – ISAs
• all types of investment management agreements
• UK unauthorised unit trusts
• property funds
• alternative investment funds – hedge funds and private equity funds
• the range of contractual documentation required for funds for delegation of investment management, administration etc
• advice on FSA Handbook Rules – notably Conduct of Business and Collective Investment Schemes Sourcebooks
• advice on business related issues e.g. on sales of funds and fund management businesses
• advice on insurance and pension products
• unit linked insurance contracts
• advice on insurance regulation
• related UK regulatory advice

Skills/experience required

• very strong academic record – minimum of a 2:1 from a good university
• relevant work experience, gained within a top City firm or appropriate in-house institution would be helpful
• attention to detail and excellent drafting skills
• an interest in learning about new areas of the law on a continuous basis is essential.  Good attitude required to detailed research and analysis of academic issues
• commercial acumen, and able to demonstrate a genuine interest in the client’s business
• confident, personable, outgoing and mature

Other information

• successful candidates will be expected to participate fully in marketing and practice development initiatives (including article writing, seminars, social events etc)
• flexibility is important, for example there is a need to learn about each client’s business and often to liaise closely with them, potentially involving being based at their offices, and this is some scope for international travel
• this role would be ideal for candidates with a genuine interest in the workings of the City/financial markets and of investments.  The Financial Services team is known for its straightforward and commercial approach to working with clients who are often at the leading edge of their respective businesses

We are recruiting an Administrative Assistant for our busy trade mark renewals practice to support the Formalities & Renewals Manager and two trade mark renewals administrators. No previous intellectual property or trade marks experience is required.  However, experience in a professional office environment in an administrative, secretarial or PA role would be valuable.

Key responsibilities

The successful candidate’s duties will involve providing administrative support to the renewals team including, but not limited to:

• preparing client correspondence
• drafting renewal applications
• assisting the Formalities & Renewals Manager with daily tasks
• sending renewal reminders and monitoring responses
• new file opening and management of the renewals filing system
• assisting with billing
• general filing and administrative duties
• ad hoc managerial and team support as required

Skills / Experience

The ideal candidate will have the following skills and experience:

• administrative, secretarial or PA experience in a professional office environment
• a high level of proficiency with the internet, Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel
• the ability to work well in a team environment and when given individual responsibilities
• the ability to multi-task and prioritise
• the aptitude to take initiative and not wait to be given tasks
• candidates who have completed courses, diplomas, apprenticeships etc in business or related fields will be looked at favourably

We are looking for a motivated, self-starter who is interested in intellectual property and has the drive and desire to work in this busy deadline-driven field. The ideal candidate will have a “can do” attitude and is keen to work their way up. This position will be what the successful candidate makes it and there are opportunities for growth, training and promotion for the right person who is willing to work hard to prove themselves.

We are seeking to recruit a legal executive with relevant experience for our private client team, to provide administrative support to private client team.  Responsibilities will include:

• day-to-day administration of Court of Protection Deputyship (receivership) cases including carrying out of the following under supervision
• making applications to Court of Protection for withdrawal of funds etc.
• preparing Court of Protection returns
• liaising with the Deputy, patients and their relatives
• Day-to-day administration of modest value trusts including carrying out the following under supervision:
• liaising with brokers, company registrars and banks
• liaising with trustees and beneficiaries
• preparation of cash statements
• reviewing old files and records where necessary to ascertain history of shareholdings
• applications for grants of probate for straight forward estates (under supervision)
• assisting with provision of responses to enquiries from former clients including reviewing old files to ascertain the background to the matter and responding to the enquiries (under supervision)
• supervision of Wills database including ensuring data on new Wills is properly recorded
• organising files and records

Personal qualities required

• teamwork
• organisation
• initiative
• resilience
• energy

We need a trainee who’s looking for a challenging role in a friendly and rewarding working environment. The successful candidate should be fluent in English and will need an excellent academic background, coupled with strong analytical skills. Experience or a strong interest in EU environmental, regulatory or litigation would be a distinct advantage, as would fluency in other EU languages.