Associate - Compensation Group

The Compensation Group consists of two Partners and 2 Associates (supported by at least one Trainee) and an interim Consultant. The team, led by Jeremy Edwards, has significantly developed its client base in recent years and is a prominent UK team, reflected in the calibre of the group’s UK client base. The team is also part of a wider international share plan team (Baker McKenzie’s Global Equity Services), forming a leading global share plan team.

The Compensation Group has been busy over both core areas and more specialist employee/employer tax areas. The group is looking for a junior associate to support senior members of the team, particularly in assisting clients with the international launch and operation of share plans and other incentive plans, as well as assisting on transactions. The successful candidate will work with colleagues in the wider international share plan team, including the US Global Equity Services practice, with up to 50% of instructions potentially coming from the US team. There could also be considerable ongoing takeover/deal activity requiring share plan support.

Core Areas

The core practice includes advising on the implementation of share plans for numerous UK, US, and European multinationals, as well as advising on securities laws, exchange control, employment and employment tax issues, and employer withholding and social security contribution liabilities. Regular client instructions continue, with an increase in initiatives relating to the launch of international share plans. There is a focus on assisting companies in understanding and complying with their tax withholding and reporting obligations regarding employee share plans, especially for internationally mobile employees. This will continue alongside increased focus on global mobility issues, working with the Employment team and Immigration practice.

The Compensation Group also advises on takeovers, acquisitions, redomestications, and IPOs, supporting both the London corporate and corporate tax groups and providing support on overseas transactions led by other offices.

International Strength

The Compensation Group is part of Baker McKenzie’s leading international global share plan practice, the Global Equity Services Group, which has 10 dedicated partners in the USA and partners in leading European and Asian jurisdictions. The global group has a strong continental European practice, with close collaboration between the European and US practices on joint initiatives such as seminars and webinars.

Wide Client Base

The Compensation Group deals with a wider range of clients than most London share plan teams due to the firm’s international network, providing detailed tax and legal advice that is practical and efficient. The client base includes many of the world’s leading companies, with practitioners advising over 100 clients each year.

More Specialist Areas

Specialist areas include advising on:

• The corporate tax deduction position of companies operating net withholding for RSUs;
• Employment tax risks arising from misclassification;
• The operation and implementation of growth share plans;
• Tax compliance for internationally mobile employees and their employers;
• The operation and implementation of employee benefit trusts;
• Advising on executive remuneration and remuneration structures in regulated sectors;
• Other employee tax-related areas.

The Role

The successful candidate will initially focus on core areas while building knowledge in more specialised areas over time. Responsibilities include:

• Advising on all aspects of the implementation and operation of share plans for UK, US, and European multinationals;
• Drafting share plan documentation for takeovers, mergers, acquisitions, and other transactions;
• Advising on complex employee tax issues and tax planning;
• Assisting on international reviews and launches of plans;
• Understanding and communicating sector trends and their impact on clients;
• Undertaking business development activities, including attending industry training and networking events;
• Preparing client updates on developments of interest;
• Drafting legal documents that accurately reflect relevant instructions;
• Maintaining regular dialogue with the Partner/Senior Associate on performance against budget;
• Recognising sensitive client issues;
• Matching time spent to value and interpreting financial data;
• Assisting with the development of know-how and using artificial intelligence tools in compliance with Firm guidelines.

Skills and Experience

A qualified lawyer with excellent academic credentials, strong technical skills, resilience, and commitment to meeting chargeable hour targets. The candidate should be proactive, interested in building practice, and assisting the development of team members. Significant experience in employee share plan issues and wider employee tax expertise is ideal. Candidates from an accountancy background will be considered. The candidate must be able to forge strong working relationships, possess gravitas and high intellectual ability, have strategic awareness of business issues, and a genuine interest in business development.

Baker McKenzie is a truly global law firm, founded in 1949, advising many of the world’s most dynamic business organisations through 13,200 people in 74 offices across 45 countries. The London office, established in 1961, is the largest globally and regularly involved in high-profile legal matters.

To Apply

At Baker McKenzie, we welcome direct applications. Please click on the Apply icon to start the online application process. For any adjustments during the process, contact Samantha Mann, Recruitment Manager, at 020 7072 5806 or Samantha.mann@bakermckenzie.com.

Baker McKenzie is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to promoting diversity and inclusion for all.