Role requirements
In order to be considered for the grading of Associate, a fee earner must be qualified as a lawyer whether in England and Wales, or a commonwealth jurisdiction elsewhere.
3-5 years PQE with strong corporate law knowledge and excellent academics. Experience of Private M&A and US Capital Markets are essential. The candidate must be a qualified lawyer in Common Law with the relevant jurisdictions include Singapore, UK, Australia, NZ and HK. Mandarin language skills will be preferred but not essential.
Reporting structure
Associates will report to one or more partners in the practice area in which they work.
Principal duties
Matter Management and Fee Generation
- Manage and carry out individual matters or discrete aspects of very large matters to a quality and standard that is substantially partner/senior associate ready, requiring little partner input beyond formal sign off other than in respect of the key issues identified. Dealing in a timely way with all e-mails, conference calls and deadlines
- Keep the partners or senior associates abreast of the conduct of the matter, through copied e-mails, and proactive communications to the partner's preference
- Thoroughly understand the legal and commercial aspects of each matter in which they are involved so as to be able to identify key issues to their matter supervisor as they arise
- Drafting legal documents and contributing to the quality of the final version to be reviewed by their supervisor
- To manage those matters and/discrete aspects of larger matters in which they are involved to a standard that gives utmost confidence to the matter supervisor
- To manage their relationships with clients including intermediaries and other staff in an effective and co-operative manner
Marketing and Business Development
- To contribute to the development and maintenance of specific client relationships as defined by partners
- To contribute to the development of the firm's profile and business volumes in the practice area in which they work by participating in marketing events, writing articles and developing a network of contacts and relationships through a variety of mechanisms and opportunities
Delegation and people development
- To manage the flow of work to more junior lawyers and paralegal support in order to minimise time costs and maximise recovery
- To assist in the development of the professional skills of the more junior lawyers and paralegals with whom they are working
Financial Management
- Manage budgets and deadlines on matters for which they are responsible to ensure that client expectations are met and all time charges are recovered
- Ensure matters for which they are responsible are billed and paid in a timely manner
- Manage the rate at which costs / fees are incurred, mindful of any fee estimate agreed
Know How and precedents
- To contribute to the development of the firm's know-how, systems and resources in order to improve business efficiency
Performance Assessment
Performance will be assessed annually using the following criteria:
- Fee Generation
- Client Management
- Delegation and relationship management with other staff
- Business Development and Networking Activity
- Firm Contribution
Professional qualifications
- Qualified in a recognised common law jurisdiction
Personal characteristics
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Relationship management skills
- Self motivated
- Critical thinking and problem solving
- Commercial and financial awareness
- Team orientation
- Flexible with a can do approach
