The Vacancy

Join Fieldfisher as an Associate in our Family team!

About us

At Fieldfisher, it takes everyone.

We're a culture of diverse perspectives, where different experiences, ideas and ambitions come together to make us better. Across 28 offices in 14 countries, our people work collaboratively to help clients navigate complexity, create opportunities and drive positive change.

We believe exceptional work starts with exceptional people. That's why we're committed to creating an environment where everyone feels they belong, can do meaningful work and has the support to develop their career and realise their potential.

Guided by our Values of People First, Embracing Environmental, Social and Governance, and Collaboration, we're building a firm that's ambitious, inclusive and fit for the future.

About the Team

Fieldfisher is embarking on an exciting new chapter with the launch of its Family practice, creating a rare opportunity to join a team from the outset and play a key role in shaping its future direction and success.

The practice will provide strategic, commercially focused and highly personal advice to a broad client base, including high-net-worth individuals, entrepreneurs, professionals and senior executives. The team will advise on the full spectrum of family law matters, including divorce and separation, financial remedy proceedings, private children matters, cohabitation disputes and nuptial agreements.

As part of one of Europe's leading law firms, the Family team will work closely with colleagues across the firm's Private Client, Real Estate, Corporate, Employment and Tax practices to deliver a seamless service to clients with complex personal and business interests. This collaborative approach ensures clients benefit from multidisciplinary expertise tailored to their individual circumstances.

Team members will have the chance to influence the growth strategy, contribute to the development of the practice and establish themselves as part of a highly ambitious and supportive environment committed to delivering exceptional client service.

Role Purpose

You'll combine technical excellence with commercial insight, build trusted client relationships and play an important role in developing junior lawyers and growing the practice.

You'll also contribute to business development activities, knowledge sharing and collaboration across the firm, helping shape the future success of both the team and our clients.

Our career development drivers set out what professionals are expected to demonstrate at each level of development. In this role, the Associate will be expected to contribute across the following areas:

• Business & Financial Management e.g. Effectively manages billing process for some clients.
• Client Focus e.g. Participates in the preparation of knowledge updates and seminars for clients.
• Working with People & Teams e.g. Actively seeks professional development opportunities and more responsibility and delegates to more junior members of the team.
• Business Development e.g. Works with other fee earners to develop relationships with new business prospects and starts to use interaction to cross-sell and look for BD opportunities.
• Technical Skills e.g. Can identify the major sources of legal precedents for practice area, both in house and external.
• Knowledge & Innovation e.g. Shares knowledge and experience with colleagues in different ways e.g. training and has excellent presentation and networking skills.

What you'll do

This is a new team, which comprises only a Partner / Head of Department currently. Your role will be to assist this Partner in every aspect of their work including attending client meetings, drafting attendance notes, preparing the first drafts of pre and post nuptial agreements and the accompanying letters of advice, drafting Forms E and collating enclosures, preparing court documents and Briefs to Counsel, and corresponding with clients and the other side.

• Develop and maintain strong client relationships through excellent service delivery and responsiveness.
• Assist with business development activities, including networking and marketing initiatives.
• Collaborate effectively across international offices and practice groups.
• Contribute to team knowledge sharing and support innovation, process improvement, and initiatives within the practice.
• Maintain accurate file management, time recording and compliance with professional standards, firm policies, and regulatory obligations.
• Assist with the billing process.
• As the team grows, you will support junior lawyers and trainees with their professional development.

About You

You'll be a technically strong and commercially minded lawyer who thrives in a collaborative, market facing and high-performing environment. You will demonstrate excellent communication skills, consistent technical excellence and sound commercial judgement, along with the ability to manage complex matters while building trusted relationships with clients and colleagues.

Experience and Qualifications

• Qualified Solicitor with a minimum of 3 years PQE.
• Excellent drafting, case management, organisational and analytical skills.
• Delivers work efficiently while maintaining exceptional quality standards.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively under pressure.
• Demonstrates ability to support junior team members and contribute to team development.
• Commercial awareness and a proactive approach to client service and business development.
• Strong interpersonal and stakeholder management skills with the ability to contribute positively to team culture, promoting inclusion and collaboration effectively across global teams.

Who are we looking for?

• We don't have a type. We believe our differences are our strengths; varied cultures, approaches and experiences can only benefit us.

What do we offer?

• You can be yourself: It takes everyone to make us who we are. We're a culture of diverse perspectives, with each of us making unique contributions that make us better together.
• In the office or WFH?: We think the best balance is more time in the office than at home, so we operate a 60:40 rule.
• Beyond salary: We offer plenty of benefits; private medical insurance, health cash plan, dental insurance, life assurance, critical illness insurance, matched pension contributions up to 7%, holiday trading, plus many more. Visit: Reward & Benefits ¦ Fieldfisher.
• Come for the WOW views: Riverbank House is in the City, just next to London Bridge with stunning views of The Shard and Tower Bridge. It's a short walk from Monument/Bank.
• Nurturing your talent: Take a 'build a career' approach to your training. You'll be on a pathway but free to wander if you see something you'd like to study more closely.
• Funnel your interests: You have a life outside work, and we can help it to flourish. Join clubs, affinity networks, inclusive events, and pro bono/charity initiatives.

Inclusion at Fieldfisher

At Fieldfisher, inclusion is central to how we work. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels respected, supported and able to succeed.

If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process or once you join us, we will work with you to put the right support in place. Examples include extra time for assessments, accessible document formats, alternative interview formats, quiet rooms, or physical and technological accessibility support.

Please email ExperiencedHireRecruitment@fieldfisher.com, and your enquiry will be treated with the strictest confidence.

For accessibility information on our London office, visit: Accessing Fieldfisher London ¦ Fieldfisher ¦ Fieldfisher

What to do next:

• Click 'Apply Now', complete an online application and upload a CV. Please note CVs will not be accepted via email due to data privacy policy.
• If you have any questions about the role, please contact Liam.Stockton@fieldfisher.com.
• Successful applications will be invited to a 20-30-minute introductory call with a recruiter.
• Every role recruits differently. But we'll always let you know what to expect from the process, so you get no surprises.
• For hybrid opportunities, you'll be invited to visit our offices for a face-to-face meeting.
• We try to make sure the process takes around 2-3 weeks only, but we can't always promise that. We will work around everyone's availability.

We recruit on a rolling basis. Your application may be reviewed before the application deadline. We accept applications until we have filled the role.

The Firm

We are not a UK firm with offices in Europe. We are a European law firm at our core. While our HQ is London, we are spreading across Europe at pace. In addition to UK, China and Silicon Valley we have offices in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal and Spain.

With 28 offices across 14 countries, we work collaboratively with each of our offices to ensure our clients receive the best advice and support. You might expect an impersonal office culture, but you will find a homely, family feel even in the largest offices.

Quality on both sides
Across all our offices and jurisdictions are market-leading practices in corporate/M&A, finance, real estate, energy and natural resources, technology and life sciences.

We count as clients large corporations including major technology firms, pharmaceutical and life sciences companies, energy suppliers, infrastructure companies, global banks and financial institutions.

We aim to ensure equality of opportunity and are actively working towards improving the diversity of our staff. Applications will be considered on merit and the applicant's suitability to meet the requirements of the role.

Benefits

Generous annual leave

Health insurance

Pension contributions

Life assurance

Season ticket loans

Bike to work loans

Testimonial

Charlotte Round - Finance Partner, Manchester

"It is great being in a firm which "gets" cross-office working - to feel properly part of a national team and to work with colleagues in other specialisms who are unconstrained by geography."

Richard Dwight - DMS Team Leader at Fieldfisher

"I consider Fieldfisher to be a progressive firm with an understanding of social values. I'm pleased that staff is able to have input in the firm's direction and purpose as well as help to shape wider society. I'm encouraged to perform by being able to develop in a natural way, whilst being supported at every step.

Fieldfisher has managed to nurture a really positive and friendly culture. If they have drive and ambition, I would encourage anybody looking for a role here to grab the opportunity."

Rebecca Reardon - Executive Assistant

"Since joining Fieldfisher in 2016, I have progressed from an entry-level secretarial role to an experienced executive assistant. This was made possible by a supportive and inclusive working environment that allows staff to progress at a pace that is best suited to them which in turn makes for well-rounded, home-grown talent.

The firm strikes a great balance between providing the foundations for success and autonomy of your own growth and development. An insight I would give to potential applicants is that Fieldfisher offers the opportunity for a career and a sense of belonging to a community and not just a job."