NQ Solicitor – Equity Incentives in London

We are looking for a Newly Qualified Solicitor to join our leading Equity Incentives and Employee Ownership team, part of Fieldfisher’s Tax and Private Client department. You will assist on a wide range of projects for clients including start-ups, growth companies, AIM-listed and overseas corporates. We are a market leader in employee ownership, having advised on EOT structures since their introduction in 2014 and on broader employee ownership matters for over 30 years.

The role offers exposure to technically challenging and rewarding work, including the design and implementation of all forms of equity-based incentive plans, establishing employee benefit trusts (onshore and offshore) and employee ownership trusts as part of wider EO transitions, and providing tax advice in all areas of employment related securities. You’ll also support the firm's corporate teams on M&A and IPO-related incentives work, often with international aspects.

This is a great opportunity to join a small, highly regarded but friendly Tier 1 ranked practice, where you will have direct client contact and clear career progression.

• Advising on the legal and tax aspects of employee share plans, including EMI, CSOP, growth shares, and bespoke arrangements.
• Advising businesses on conversions to EOT-ownership including advising on qualifying bonus plans and assisting with governance arrangements.
• Supporting transactional work, including M&A and investment rounds, with a focus on equity incentives due diligence and documentation.
• Drafting plan rules, option agreements, trust deeds, shareholder resolutions, and board minutes.
• Conducting legal research and preparing client briefings and internal know-how.
• Assisting with business development initiatives, including writing posts for social media.

• Qualified Solicitor in England & Wales (NQ level).
• Completion of a training seat in incentives/benefits (or equivalent), tax or corporate is essential.
• Strong academic background.
• A genuine interest in employee incentives, share valuations and a willingness to develop technical expertise.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team and manage tasks independently.
• Commercial awareness and a proactive approach to client service and practice development.

At Fieldfisher, led by the social model of disability, we are working towards removing accessibility barriers and maximising disability and neurodiversity inclusion in our recruitment processes. Should you have any accessibility requirements, please contact a member of Fieldfisher's Recruitment Team who will work with you to implement suitable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process. All conversations are treated in the strictest of confidence and we would appreciate your feedback to ensure we can provide an accessible and enjoyable recruitment process.

Our people are at the core of what we do. Fieldfisher's benefits package is designed to enable all colleagues to thrive in an inclusive and supportive environment. These benefits range from private health insurance, life assurance & income protection, flexi-gym discounts, season ticket loans, bike-to-work loans, electric vehicle scheme and much more. Fieldfisher HQ is based in the vibrant and thriving City of London, which has something for everyone. Offering excellent commuter links based a 5-minute walk away from Monument and Bank tube stations. Views overlooking the River Thames and Tower Bridge from our 9th floor terrace, open plan workspaces that encourages a sense of camaraderie, hybrid working and hot-desking, discounted coffee in our on-site cafe, bike storage, shower facilities and much more.

We have diverse teams made up of our Partners, Lawyers and Business Services Professionals, collaborating to provide outstanding service to our clients, working across our many different sectors and practice areas. We understand the importance of collaboration outside of work with lots of different clubs and networks for our people to get involved in, including quiz nights, book club, choir, firm-funded yoga, fitness challenges, football teams, and inclusive events with our nominated charity partners.

We’re a firm with real entrepreneurial drive and we don’t believe in squashing people’s individuality. We want you to use your unique talents and experiences to help the firm grow. You can only do that by being yourself. And working closely and collaboratively with people throughout the firm. That’s why we foster a culture that encourages you to be yourself.

We’ll give you bespoke support to develop your own career. Whether that’s through allowing you to “access all areas” across the firm, funding you through training for professional development qualifications, or making sure you have a structured career plan, we’ll make sure your talents are being nurtured.

Enter your email address on the job advert and press the 'apply now' button to submit your CV and to start your application. Please note that we recruit on a rolling basis, meaning that your application will most likely be reviewed before the application deadline. We will continue to accept applications until we have successfully filled the role.

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, and Spain. With 1,800 people across 28 offices across 14 countries you might expect an impersonal office culture, but you will find a homely, family feel even in the largest offices.

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.