Head of Corporate Law & Strategic Growth in Overton

The award-winning team at Blackstone solicitors are looking for a Head of Corporate Law to play a strategic and operational leadership role in driving the firm's corporate legal services. This includes managing a team of solicitors, supervising casework, overseeing the development and delivery of legal services to corporate clients, and maintaining and growing their own portfolio of clients. This individual will be instrumental in enhancing the firm's corporate law capabilities, ensuring service excellence, compliance, and the professional development of the team. They will play a key part in business development and will uphold and reflect the firm's values and reputation for excellence in client service.

We are a reputable law firm based in Hale, Cheshire with a dedicated team of 50 plus staff members and growing, providing exceptional legal services to our clients. You will report directly into the owner and Managing Director of the Business and will be part of the senior leadership team delivering the businesses growth strategies and ambitions.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and support a team of corporate solicitors and paralegals, including performance management, supervision, and mentorship.
• Oversee complex casework and provide technical guidance.
• Recruit, retain, and develop high calibre legal talent within the team.
• Conduct regular team meetings, 121's, encourage collaboration, and foster a positive working culture.
• Maintain and develop a portfolio of key corporate clients, delivering strategic legal advice across a range of corporate matters including M&A, joint ventures, shareholder agreements, restructures, and commercial contracts.
• Serve as the principal advisor for high value or high risk corporate matters.
• Actively contribute to the firm's billing and financial performance through efficient case management and fee generation.
• Ensure the team follow the firms' policies and procedures with weekly matter reviews to ensure consistency.
• Ensure consistent high levels of client service, responsiveness, and professionalism.

Strategic Development & Compliance

• Contribute to the overall strategic planning and growth of the Corporate Law department.
• Ensure all work is compliant with SRA requirements and firm policies, including risk management and quality assurance processes.
• Keep abreast of legal developments, industry trends, and evolving client needs.

Business Development

• Drive business development initiatives to grow the corporate client base working in collaboration with the Commercial Director.
• Represent the firm at industry events, networking opportunities, and with existing and prospective clients.
• Ensure all new enquiries are handled promptly and professionally by the team and work collaboratively with the Client Engagement Managers to maximise the conversion of new enquiries.

Role Requirements

• Qualified solicitor in England & Wales with a current practising certificate.
• Minimum 8+ years PQE in corporate law, ideally with leadership or senior management experience.
• Demonstrable success in managing complex corporate legal work and client portfolios.
• Proven experience in leading and mentoring legal teams.
• Strong commercial acumen and the ability to contribute to strategic planning.
• Experience in business development and client acquisition.
• Track record of working in a high performance, client focused legal environment.
• In-depth understanding of corporate law including mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, and commercial contracts.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills - able to manage client relationships at board and shareholder level.
• Strong leadership, with the ability to inspire, motivate and develop a team.
• Analytical and strategic thinker with sound judgment.
• Competent with legal practice management systems and proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong time management and organisational skills; able to manage competing priorities effectively.
• Proactive, solutions focused approach with a commitment to excellence.

Key Values for Success

• Empathy: A keen understanding of clients' pain points, allowing for better tailored solutions from our solicitors that will resonate with their specific legal challenges.
• Tenacity: The resilience and determination to overcome barriers and achieve the best outcomes for clients, team and the business.
• Adaptability: The legal requirements of our clients are very individual, so broadening your understanding of our legal services and the solutions that could be offered working with our solicitor teams to meet the client needs is critical.
• Excellence: Strive for outstanding results in every matter and continuously look for improvements in service delivery.
• Integrity: Trust is key in the legal industry and here at Blackstone, the Head of Corporate should uphold the highest standards of ethical practice and act in the best interests of clients and the firm.
• Accountability: Take ownership of performance, both as a leader and as a fee earner, with transparency and dedication.
• Communication: The ability to influence and convince prospective clients to act and appoint Blackstone.

The Blackstone employee benefits scheme

• Health and Wellbeing benefits
• Employee bonus scheme providing up to an additional 10% of your salary annually (T&Cs apply)
• Annual eye tests.
• Annual hearing tests.
• Death in service - An insurance policy that pays 4x your salary to next of kin or anyone else you choose.
• Company Pension
• Pet insurance - cats and dogs (no horses and subject to conditions)
• Counselling service.
• Massages in the office once a month (15 mins per person).
• 5 days sick leave (maximum 2 occasions per year).
• Annual flu jab.
• Birthday off work.
• Netflix.
• Spotify.
• Apple news +.
• Free conveyancing.