At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a dynamic team, supporting M&A transactions and providing legal advice that shapes investment decisions.
- Company: Ambitious investment business in Brighton with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous bonus, and a vibrant office environment.
- Other info: Close-knit team with excellent career growth opportunities and direct exposure to live deals.
- Why this job: Gain hands-on experience in a fast-paced, deal-driven environment with real impact.
- Qualifications: 2-4 years PQE in corporate/M&A law and strong drafting skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
We are working with a highly ambitious investment business offering a rare opportunity for a Corporate Lawyer to step into a hands-on in-house Corporate M&A role in Brighton. This is a standout chance to join a fast-moving investment environment and work directly alongside an experienced deal team, gaining genuine exposure to live transactions and the full lifecycle of investments. You will be embedded in the heart of the business, where legal input is closely tied to commercial decision-making.
Want a role where your legal advice genuinely shapes investment decisions? This is not a traditional in-house role. You will sit as part of a small but highly ambitious team, working side-by-side with investment professionals on live transactions and portfolio matters. Within this In-House Corporate Lawyer role, the focus is on speed, pragmatism, and commerciality; helping deals get done efficiently, without losing sight of legal risk where it really matters.
You will be trusted to operate as a key legal point of contact for transactions, with strong support available from senior colleagues and a paralegal. Over time, you will take increasing ownership of execution, particularly on smaller and mid-sized deals.
What will this In-House Corporate Lawyer role involve?
- You will be embedded in a busy deal environment, supporting and leading on a broad range of transactional and portfolio work, including:
- Buy-side M&A work on UK acquisitions, including structuring support and transaction implementation
- Drafting and negotiating NDAs, heads of terms, and ancillary deal documents
- Managing targeted legal due diligence focused on key commercial risks
- Drafting and negotiating SPA/BPA documentation and associated disclosure materials
- Supporting equity documentation including shareholder arrangements, incentive structures, and related investment instruments
- Assisting on sell-side processes alongside external counsel, including transaction preparation
- Providing ongoing legal support to portfolio companies, including integration issues, management exits, and corporate structuring matters
To excel in this In-House Corporate Lawyer role, you will ideally bring:
- 2-4 years' PQE in corporate/M&A law (strong UK qualification required)
- Solid experience in transactional corporate work, ideally including exposure to private equity or similar deal environments
- Confidence handling legal workstreams with increasing autonomy
- Strong drafting skills and the ability to translate legal complexity into clear commercial advice
- A proactive, commercially minded approach with the ability to work at pace
- The ability to engage confidently with non-lawyers in a deal-driven environment
The working environment:
You will be joining a close-knit and highly collaborative team within a larger, ambitious investment organisation. The culture is open, direct, and fast-moving, with a strong emphasis on getting deals done efficiently and constructively. The legal team sits directly alongside the investment professionals, meaning constant exposure to live deal activity, investment discussions, and strategic decision-making.
This is an office-based role in a highly social, energetic environment, where collaboration and proximity to the deal team are central to how the business operates.
Location: Brighton (office-based)
Salary: £60,000-£80,000 + bonus
If you are someone who thrives in a commercial, fast-paced environment, enjoys variety, and wants direct exposure to how investment decisions are made and executed, we would love to hear from you.
Corporate In-House Lawyer (M&A) in Brighton employer: Harvey John
Join a dynamic investment business in Brighton as a Corporate In-House Lawyer, where you'll be part of a close-knit team that values collaboration and direct involvement in live transactions. With a strong emphasis on professional growth, you will have the opportunity to shape investment decisions while enjoying a supportive work culture that prioritises efficiency and pragmatism. This role offers competitive remuneration, including a generous bonus, and the chance to thrive in a fast-paced environment that encourages innovation and legal excellence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Corporate In-House Lawyer (M&A) in Brighton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join legal forums, and don’t be shy to reach out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a job opportunity.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by understanding the company’s culture and values. Research their recent deals and be ready to discuss how your skills can contribute to their success. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but someone who genuinely wants to be part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be clear about your experience and how it aligns with the role. Highlight your transactional work and how you’ve navigated legal complexities in a commercial setting. Confidence is key, so rehearse until you feel comfortable.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to engage with us directly. Let’s get you that dream job!
We think you need these skills to ace Corporate In-House Lawyer (M&A) in Brighton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Corporate In-House Lawyer role. Highlight your M&A experience and any relevant transactional work to catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re excited about this role and how your background makes you a perfect fit for our fast-paced investment environment.
Showcase Your Commercial Mindset:We love candidates who can think commercially! In your application, give examples of how you've provided legal advice that shaped business decisions or helped close deals efficiently.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity in Brighton.
How to prepare for a job interview at Harvey John
✨Know Your M&A Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your corporate M&A knowledge. Understand the key concepts, recent trends, and any landmark cases that might come up in conversation. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you're not just a lawyer, but a savvy business partner.
✨Show Your Commercial Mindset
This role is all about pragmatism and commerciality, so be prepared to demonstrate how your legal advice can drive investment decisions. Think of examples from your past experience where your legal input made a tangible impact on a deal.
✨Practice Your Drafting Skills
Since you'll be drafting and negotiating various documents, it’s crucial to showcase your drafting skills during the interview. Bring along samples of your work or be ready to discuss how you approach drafting NDAs, SPAs, and other key documents.
✨Engage with Non-Lawyers
You’ll be working closely with investment professionals, so practice explaining complex legal concepts in simple terms. Prepare to discuss how you've successfully communicated with non-lawyers in the past, as this will highlight your ability to fit into their fast-paced environment.
