Corporate & M&A Legal Counsel
London | In-House | EMEA & APAC Focus
This is a rare opportunity to join a highly experienced and collegiate Corporate and M&A in-house team in a highly visible central role with regular interaction with senior business people, management and internal teams, with key involvement in business strategy and corporate activities.
The Corporate and M&A Team are responsible for leading and delivering the global M&A strategy and corporate project support across EMEA and APAC for the wider Group, including acquisitions, disposals and strategic corporate projects, while also supporting US-led transactions where required.
Core work includes advising on:
- M&A transactions
- SPACs
- Disposals
- Joint ventures and partnerships
- Corporate restructuring and simplification projects
The team has advised on a number of high-profile transactions including acquisitions of Sunrise Brokers, Martin Brokers, GFI Partners, Gerald Eve LLP, Ed Broking, Besso Group and OTC Holdings, alongside numerous corporate reorganisations, disposals and regulated entity simplification projects across EMEA and APAC.
The role will primarily support the London Corporate & M&A team on a variety of transactions ranging from single entity acquisitions to complex cross-border deals, while partnering closely with internal stakeholders across Finance, Compliance, Tax, Operations and Senior Management.
This is a fast-paced environment offering substantial autonomy, ownership and international exposure.
Key Responsibilities
- M&A – assisting the M&A practice as part of a team but acting as one of the legal counsel on transactions with responsibility for driving matters forward, including due diligence, drafting and review of a variety of agreements including heads of terms, confidentiality agreements, SPA documentation and related transaction documents, liaising with external counsel and supporting post-acquisition integration.
- Projects – advising on corporate and commercial projects including new offices/entities, reorganisations and joint ventures.
- Corporate – reviewing, drafting and negotiating a wide range of agreements and providing legal advice on business issues, including confidentiality agreements, intra-group agreements, joint venture agreements, partnership agreements, business transfers and asset transfers.
- Working closely with internal stakeholders including Company Secretarial, HR, Tax, Finance, Operations and Compliance teams.
Skills & Experience Required
- England & Wales or Commonwealth qualified lawyer with a minimum of 3 years’ PQE in Corporate, M&A and ECM gained in private practice and/or in-house.
- Experience of cross-border transactions would be advantageous.
- Financial services experience is welcomed, although candidates from other sectors with strong relevant experience will also be considered.
- Ability to manage competing demands within a busy and fast-moving environment.
- Strong commercial awareness with a hands-on and proactive approach.
- Experience advising stakeholders across different levels of a business.
- Comfortable working autonomously while also collaborating within a small international legal team.
- Strong interpersonal and stakeholder management skills with a robust but engaging approach.
- Strong academic background required.