6 jobs found

Lead / Senior Employment Solicitor Location: Cardiff (hybrid working available) Experience Level: 5+ PQE (or equivalent experience) Salary: 60,000 - 70,000 (negotiable subject to desirable experience) A growing, multi-disciplinary professional services group is seeking a Senior Employment Solicitor to join its legal team as the lead employment lawyer. The wider business brings together legal, corporate finance, tax and communications specialists to support clients across the full business lifecycle, from growth and investment to exit. This is a key leadership role for an experienced employment practitioner who is looking for autonomy, influence and the opportunity to shape and grow an employment offering within an established advisory platform. The successful candidate will act as the primary employment specialist within the legal team, working closely with colleagues across corporate, commercial and IP disciplines, and advising a diverse client base across multiple sectors. Role Overview You will advise across a broad spectrum of employment matters, combining contentious, non-contentious and transactional work. As the most senior employment lawyer in the team, you will play a pivotal role in developing the practice and supporting wider business growth, with scope to build a team over time. Key areas of work include: Managing Employment Tribunal matters Advising on and drafting settlement agreements and structured exits Leading TUPE processes in both business transfer and outsourcing contexts Drafting and negotiating employment contracts, service agreements and HR policies Advising in-house counsel clients alongside commercial and IP colleagues Supporting corporate transactions with employment advice This role will particularly suit someone who enjoys being a trusted adviser, working closely with clients, and influencing how an employment practice develops within a broader commercial environment. Key Responsibilities Employment Advisory & Documentation Run Employment Tribunal matters independently from inception to conclusion Draft, negotiate and advise on individual and collective settlement agreements Advise on TUPE transfers, including due diligence, consultation and contractual provisions Support clients through restructures, reorganisations and redundancy processes Draft employment contracts, service agreements, handbooks and HR policies Provide day-to-day employment advice on disciplinary, grievance, performance and absence issues Ensure legal compliance and promote best practice Corporate & Commercial Support Work closely with the corporate team on employment aspects of M&A transactions Undertake employment due diligence and prepare detailed reports Collaborate with commercial and IP teams on reverse due diligence exercises Practice Growth & Leadership Act as the lead employment lawyer within the team Build strong client relationships and contribute to business development Monitor legislative developments and provide updates and guidance to clients Participate in networking, seminars and thought leadership activities Mentor junior lawyers and support the development of the wider team Skills & Experience Essential Qualified solicitor with 5+ years' PQE in employment law Proven experience running Employment Tribunal cases independently Strong TUPE experience Confidence advising on and drafting settlement agreements Excellent drafting skills across contracts, policies and advisory materials Commercially minded with strong client relationship skills Ability to manage competing priorities autonomously Desirable Experience supporting corporate transactions Interest in growing and shaping a practice area Experience mentoring or supervising junior colleagues Any experienced employment lawyer within the Cardiff / South West area interested in this opportunity should contact Sam Higgins at Simpson Judge on (phone number removed) or at .

We are looking for an experienced M&A transactions manager to join a real estate business on a 6-month FTC. Responsible for the day-to-day ownership and delivery of transaction processes across buy-side, sell-side, and financing/refinancing workstreams. The role involves regular reporting to Senior Management with clear updates on live transactions and financings. It also requires ongoing liaison with partners, brokers, legal advisors, due diligence providers, and other deal counterparties. The position demands the ability to quickly get up to speed on transactions and deliver effectively from the outset. Key Responsibilities Lead buy-side acquisitions, sell-side disposals, and financing/refinancing transactions from inception to completion. Develop and manage transaction programmes, including key milestones, timelines, and workstreams. Coordinate and oversee financial, tax, technical, and legal due diligence processes. Manage relationships with advisors, brokers, lenders, investors, legal counsel, and other transaction counterparties. Review due diligence findings, identify risks and issues, and support commercial negotiations. Negotiate key transaction, financing, and legal terms to support successful deal outcomes. Prepare transaction analyses, including sources & uses, fund flows, financing structures, and returns assessments. Support debt raising and refinancing processes, including lender engagement, term sheet review, and financing documentation. Prepare and present materials for investor and board approvals. Facilitate transaction execution, signing, drawdown, and closing activities. Provide regular updates to senior management on transaction progress, risks, and key decisions. The candidate: ACA/ CAANZ - Corporate finance / M&A experience Available at short notice with a valid visa for atleast 6 months Real Estate experience

(Senior) Legal Counsel - Private Equity Portfolio Operations A legal role with direct exposure to business transformation We're looking for an experienced lawyer to join a specialist portfolio operations team within a leading international private equity investor. Unlike a traditional in-house role focused on a single business, this position offers exposure to a diverse portfolio of companies across multiple sectors, geographies, and stages of the investment life-cycle. You'll work closely with investment professionals, operational experts, and management teams to support strategic projects, navigate complex legal challenges, and help portfolio companies deliver their commercial objectives. This is an opportunity for a lawyer who enjoys combining technical legal expertise with practical business problem-solving and wants to see the direct impact of their work on company performance and value creation. The Role As a (Senior) Legal Counsel, you will support portfolio companies on a broad range of corporate, commercial, governance, and restructuring matters. You will be a trusted adviser to management teams while collaborating closely with colleagues across investment, operations, finance, HR, and compliance functions. The role offers significant variety, autonomy, and stakeholder exposure, with the opportunity to work on multiple projects simultaneously across different jurisdictions. Key Responsibilities Advise portfolio companies on a wide range of corporate, commercial, governance, litigation, and restructuring matters. Support businesses throughout the investment life-cycle, including acquisitions, carve-outs, integration projects, transformation initiatives, and exits. Develop and implement legal policies, governance frameworks, and best-practice standards across portfolio companies. Partner with management teams to identify legal risks and develop practical, commercially focused solutions. Coordinate and manage external legal advisers across multiple jurisdictions and areas of expertise. Support compliance with group policies, governance requirements, and regulatory obligations. Contribute to the development of the legal practice through knowledge sharing, mentoring, and continuous improvement initiatives. About You You are a commercially minded lawyer who is comfortable operating in fast-paced environments and working closely with senior business stakeholders. You will likely bring: Qualification as a solicitor, attorney, or equivalent legal professional. At least 5 year's post-qualification experience in corporate and commercial law. Experience gained within a leading law firm, private equity environment, restructuring practice, or in-house legal team. Strong understanding of corporate governance, commercial contracting, transactions, and business transformation projects. The ability to balance legal risk with commercial objectives and deliver pragmatic advice. Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills. Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities across different businesses and jurisdictions. Why Join? This role provides the opportunity to work on complex, high-impact matters across an international portfolio rather than focusing on a single organisation. You'll gain broad exposure to different industries, business challenges, and strategic initiatives while working alongside experienced investment and operational professionals. It's an ideal opportunity for a lawyer seeking greater commercial exposure, increased responsibility, and a role where legal expertise is closely integrated with business decision-making and operational improvement. If you're looking for a position that combines legal complexity, commercial engagement, and the opportunity to influence outcomes across a diverse portfolio of businesses, we'd welcome your application.

Senior Legal Counsel - Secondaries Transactions (Private Equity) London, United Kingdom Join a Leading Global Private Markets Investment Manager Our client is a highly regarded independent global investment management firm specialising in private markets. With a long-established international presence and a multi-billion-dollar asset base, the firm invests across a range of private asset strategies and serves a diverse global investor base comprising institutional and private wealth clients. The firm has built a strong reputation for innovation, responsible investing and delivering tailored investment solutions through a collaborative and entrepreneurial culture. As the business continues to expand its secondaries platform, an opportunity has arisen for an experienced Senior Legal Counsel to join the London-based Legal team. The Opportunity This is a rare opportunity for a senior private funds lawyer to join a sophisticated and growing secondaries investment platform. You will work closely with investment professionals, senior management and external counsel on a broad range of complex and high-value transactions, including LP portfolio acquisitions, continuation funds, GP-led and LP-led preferred equity transactions, fund restructurings and other innovative secondaries solutions. In addition to transactional support, you will play a key role in advising on fund formation, fund structuring and strategic initiatives across the firm's global secondaries business. Key Responsibilities Fund Formation & Structuring Lead and coordinate legal aspects relating to the establishment, operation and governance of UK, US, Cayman and Luxembourg private equity fund structures. Partner closely with investment, product and investor relations teams on fund structuring and strategic product initiatives. Support the launch of new secondaries funds and bespoke separate managed account structures. Manage external counsel and oversee the preparation and negotiation of fund documentation, including limited partnership agreements, PPM, subscription agreements and related materials. Transaction Execution Act as lead legal adviser on acquisitions and disposals of primary and secondary fund interests, including both single-asset and portfolio transactions. Advise on transaction structuring, tax and regulatory considerations. Negotiate and execute purchase and sale agreements, transfer documentation, side letters and related transaction documents. Coordinate transaction closings and stakeholder management across multiple jurisdictions. Lead legal work-streams relating to NAV facilities and subscription credit facilities. Portfolio & Fund Operations Attend Investment Committee meetings and provide strategic legal input on proposed transactions. Oversee MFN election processes and investor consent matters. Support advisory board interactions and underlying fund manager communications. Assist with contentious matters and dispute resolution as required. Legal & Regulatory Partner with Compliance to enhance governance frameworks, policies and controls. Provide practical legal advice on fund operations, regulatory developments and private equity investment matters. Build and maintain strong relationships with external law firms and service providers. Support broader legal team initiatives and collaborate closely with senior legal leadership. Candidate Profile We are seeking a commercially minded lawyer who enjoys operating at the intersection of complex transactions, fund structuring and business strategy. Experience & Qualifications Qualified lawyer in the UK or US. Minimum 6 year's post-qualification experience gained within a leading private funds practice and/or a sophisticated in-house investment management environment. Extensive experience advising on private equity fund structures and fund formation matters. Strong track record supporting secondaries transactions, including acquisitions and disposals of LP interests. Experience across UK and US fund structures; exposure to Luxembourg vehicles would be advantageous. Strong understanding of fund operations, fund closings and investor-related matters. Highly Desirable Experience with LP portfolio transactions. Exposure to continuation funds and GP-led secondaries. Experience advising on GP-led preferred equity and LP-led preferred equity transactions. Familiarity with NAV financing and subscription line facilities. Personal Attributes Commercially astute with strong business judgement. Confident stakeholder manager capable of influencing senior investment professionals. Highly organised with excellent project management skills. Collaborative, adaptable and comfortable working across multiple jurisdictions and time zones. Able to thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial and intellectually demanding environment. Why Apply? This role offers the opportunity to: Work on some of the most sophisticated and innovative transactions in the secondaries market. Join a highly respected global private markets platform with an established international presence. Gain direct exposure to senior investment professionals and business leaders across multiple jurisdictions. Operate as a trusted adviser and strategic partner to the investment team. Play a key role in the continued growth and evolution of a leading secondaries franchise. For experienced private funds lawyers seeking a broader commercial role with significant transaction exposure and strategic influence, this represents an exceptional opportunity.

Absolute Law Recruitment are partnered with a top Legal 200 Law Firm in London who are seeking a Senior Employment Associate into their team. You will help grow the existing Employment offering which sits within a Corporate department. The team currently consists of one Partner and one Associate, the individual in this role will work closely with both members of the team together with all practice areas at the firm. Responsibilities You will have the opportunity to work on a wide range of employment transactions whilst working with a variety of clients. The employment team is lead by a Partner and there is another Associate in the team for which you will have responsibility for supporting and developing. You will also be expected to help raise the profile of the employment practice and lead on business development initiatives. You will advise on a mix of contentious and non-contentious employment work at an advanced level and will have direct contact with a variety of clients, as described above. Particular responsibilities for this role will include but are not limited to: Ownership of own files and caseload. You will be given responsibility to run matters autonomously, with supervision and guidance as required; Drafting and negotiating documents, including service agreements, settlement agreements and transactional documents; Providing commercial, pragmatic and risk-based employment advice to a range of clients on a wide variety of employment law matters, including working with overseas lawyers and counsel in litigation matters; and Advising on issues including but not limited to: employment contracts, grievances, dismissals, subject access requests, business transfers and outsourcings, employment disputes in the High Court and tribunals, TUPE, redundancy situations and hiring and firing. Experience and Skills Required A minimum of 6 years PQE A good team player with a willingness to pick up work and support colleagues during busy periods Extremely competent handling a mix of contentious & non-contentious Employment work Ability to manage multiple files and meet deadlines whilst maintaining exceptional attention to detail Strong communication and interpersonal skills with both team members and clients; Confidence in giving risk based pragmatic advice, listening to clients and having a commercial approach to client service Self-starter with plenty of drive and initiative Willingness to undertake business development Works in a highly organised manner The salary on offer will be reflective of PQE experience. If you would like to discuss further, please contact us directly.

Legal Director - Group M&A Location: Hybrid - 3 days in Slough office, 2 from home Rate: Up to 672/day PAYE (agency payroll only) Duration: Day rate contract to Dec 2026 An exceptional interim opportunity for a senior M&A/corporate lawyer to step into a Legal Director role at the group level of a global, FTSE 20-scale business. You'll be part of a high-performing legal function, acting as the lead legal advisor on international acquisitions and divestments. The role partners closely with the Corporate Development team and involves complex cross-border deal activity, senior stakeholder engagement, and managing one Senior Legal Counsel. You'll also be responsible for supervising external counsel and driving legal process improvements. Key requirements: 6+ years' PQE (UK or equivalent jurisdiction) Experience of working in an FTSE 100 environment Deep corporate/M&A experience from a leading law firm or large in-house legal team Track record of delivering international transactions and restructurings Comfortable operating in matrixed organisations and engaging with C-level stakeholders Experience advising listed businesses and managing external counsel Available to start in the coming weeks This is a hands-on role with strategic visibility. The ideal candidate will combine technical excellence with commercial pragmatism and leadership capability. Interested? Apply now or reach out for a confidential discussion