Solicitor - Company & Commercial

About the Firm

Berry & Lamberts is a three-office firm of solicitors based in Tunbridge Wells, Sevenoaks and Paddock Wood. The firm provides private client, commercial property, litigation, family, residential property and company and commercial services to individuals and businesses across West Kent, East Sussex and beyond. As the firm continues to grow, we are seeking an experienced Company & Commercial Solicitor to join our expanding company and commercial team.

Role Overview

This is a transactional company and commercial role supporting the wider team in advising business owners, companies, partnerships and LLPs. The successful candidate will assist with a broad range of corporate and commercial matters, with particular emphasis on business sales and purchases involving both small and larger businesses.

• Business and share sales and purchases, including transactions with values typically ranging from £500,000 to £20,000,000.
• Share purchase agreements, asset purchase agreements and related ancillary documents.
• Due diligence exercises and the preparation, review and organisation of disclosure materials.
• Shareholders’ agreements, partnership agreements and LLP agreements.
• Terms and conditions of business and other commercial contracts.
• Share buybacks, reorganisations and other corporate transactions.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with and lead the conduct of transactional company and commercial matters from initial instruction through to completion and post-completion.
• Take instructions from clients, identify the relevant legal and commercial issues and provide clear, practical advice.
• Draft, review and negotiate share purchase agreements, asset purchase agreements and ancillary documents, including disclosure letters, board minutes, shareholder resolutions, stock transfer forms and Companies House forms.
• Undertake and manage legal due diligence exercises, review data rooms, identify key issues and prepare due diligence reports or enquiries.
• Draft, review and negotiate shareholders’ agreements, partnership agreements, LLP agreements, terms and conditions of business and other commercial agreements.
• Advise on and prepare the documentation required for share buybacks, share issues, transfers, reorganisations and other corporate transactions.
• Conduct legal research and keep up to date with developments in company and commercial law and practice.
• Communicate promptly and professionally with clients, accountants, other advisers and solicitors acting for other parties.
• Manage agreed timetables, conditions precedent, completion deliverables and post-completion matters with close attention to detail.
• Provide clients with appropriate information about costs and ensure that adequate funds are held on account where required.
• Maintain client confidentiality, accurate records and well-organised files.
• Prepare regular invoices and assist with the effective financial management of matters.

Compliance

• Ensure that matters are handled in accordance with the departmental manual and the professional rules governing conduct, including the SRA Standards and Regulations.
• Understand and correctly apply anti-money laundering requirements and follow firm and departmental guidance.
• Maintain files to the required ISO 9001 standard and the department’s standard format.
• Comply with all relevant firm policies, including those relating to client care, undertakings and key dates.
• Participate in team meetings and attend relevant internal and external training.
• Keep up to date with law and practice and continue to develop knowledge in specialist and technical areas.

Business Development and Role Requirements

• Carry out appropriate marketing and business development activities to support the development of the company and commercial team and the wider firm.
• Attend relevant networking and business events and build effective relationships with clients, intermediaries and professional contacts.
• Contribute to the firm’s profile by writing articles, preparing updates and participating in other appropriate marketing initiatives.
• Record 1,200 chargeable hours per annum.
• Meet the financial billing target set by the head of department for the role.

Person Specification

Essential

• 3-5 years’ PQE, with at least 3 years’ experience in company and commercial work.
• Demonstrable experience of working on corporate transactions with values ranging from approximately £500,000 to £20,000,000.
• Experience of preparing and negotiating share purchase agreements, asset purchase agreements and the associated ancillary documents.
• Experience of undertaking legal due diligence exercises and identifying and reporting on key legal and commercial issues.
• Experience of preparing shareholders’ agreements, terms and conditions of business and other commercial agreements.
• Experience of company share buybacks and other corporate transactions.
• A confident and accurate drafter, capable of producing clear, commercially focused documents.
• Excellent attention to detail, including the ability to maintain accurate definitions, schedules and cross-references across transaction documents.
• Ability to manage competing deadlines, organise transaction documents and progress matters efficiently.
• Confident and professional communicator, comfortable dealing with clients, accountants, other advisers and third parties.
• Strong working knowledge of practice management software commonly used in law firms, such as Actionstep or Advanced Legal.
• Willingness and ability to work across all office locations as required.

What the Firm Offers

• Competitive salary.
• Working hours: Monday to Thursday, 9.00 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.; Friday, 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
• Auto-enrolment pension scheme.
• 25 days’ holiday per year, plus bank holidays and additional time off at Christmas.
• Discretionary Bonus Scheme.
• Birthday off work.
• Private healthcare.
• Death in service cover.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Local shop discount card, currently the TN card.
• Social events.
• Charity events.