Associate in Manchester

1 to 4 PQE | Permanent | Manchester (Hybrid)

About Us

Successful businesses rely on a unique set of ideas and people. We help our clients protect and develop those vital assets, unlocking possibilities for future success. From iconic brands and leading multinationals to pioneering start-ups, we are proud to work with a huge range of inspiring clients, helping them to turn their ideas into reality and getting the best from - and for - their people.

Our people are not only exceptional at what they do, they also enjoy doing it and consistently give their best to a firm they’re proud to be part of. This stems from our firm culture and our ethos of bravery and kindness. That ethos runs through everything we do, from our approach to recruitment, business practices, and DEI activities to the day-to-day environment in our office and our relationships with clients.

With an internationally minded team of more than 800 working across key areas of law – plus strategic partnerships around the world – we’ve got both the combination and calibre of legal experts it takes to enable our clients' businesses to thrive. Whether it is providing global employment law advice, managing a global IP portfolio or piecing together a multijurisdictional corporate transaction, we are able to have the right people, in the right place, at the right time.

About the team

Our Digital, Commerce & Creative (DCC) team is Lewis Silkin's market-leading commercial, technology, and regulatory practice. We combine deep sector knowledge across media, entertainment, advertising, retail, sport, and technology with first-rate expertise in commercial contracting and regulation.

We advise on everything from day-to-day commercial agreements to complex, IP-rich transactions, as well as cutting-edge work in areas such as AI, streaming, interactive entertainment, and sponsorship. The team is fast-growing and highly ranked by leading national legal benchmarking publications.

Recognised leaders in their field, the team works on a wide range of matters: from technology and AI deals (both buy- and deploy-side) to technology and consumer regulation and go-to-market strategies for platforms, agencies, distribution, and franchises. They also handle IP-rich agreements such as video game development and publishing, sponsorship, advertising and marketing, branded content, talent, rights licensing, and content production, alongside outsourcing and media buying.

The team comprises 13 partners and 24 associates across the UK. This breadth is supported by structured know-how and dedicated Knowledge Lawyer resources, ensuring regular updates and shared expertise across the group.

We operate as a genuinely integrated, cross-office team with a strong "one team" approach spanning London, Manchester, and Belfast. This enables seamless collaboration on UK-wide and multi-jurisdictional projects for brand-name clients across our key sectors. Our cross-office model sits within a firm renowned for sector-focused strength in commercial, tech, media, data, and IP, complemented by market-leading employment capability that often features in joint mandates.

DCC in Manchester is expanding rapidly as part of the firm's growth across the North of England, following senior partner hires and wider office build-out. Recent additions include partner-level expertise in advertising, marketing, and brand activation, enhancing our long-established specialisms in marketing, advertising, brand, and IP law, and strengthening our reputation and offering to creative and innovative businesses in the region.

We work closely with our colleagues across all of our practice areas and in particular with our top-ranked Corporate team on technology, brand, and platform-driven transactions, providing a cohesive service across the deal lifecycle.

As an Associate (1–4 PQE) in DCC Manchester, you’ll have the opportunity to work on high-quality matters in fast-evolving areas, supporting partners and senior lawyers on complex transactions while taking responsibility for your own matters as you grow. You’ll collaborate closely with colleagues across the firm and with our international partner firms, gaining exposure to cutting-edge work for high-profile brands and growth companies in creative, tech, and consumer-facing sectors. You’ll also contribute to knowledge initiatives and benefit from structured support and training, helping you build expertise in commercial, tech, media, and data disciplines.

About the role

• Providing technical legal expertise: you will continually seek to build on your current knowledge and proactively look to improve your advising skills.
• Delivering excellent service: you will analyse legal information to solve problems and formulate arguments or strategy relevant to your clients' needs. You’ll also use your initiative to proactively manage work, and provide regular and appropriate updates to your stakeholders.
• Building relationships: you will proactively develop positive working relationships with colleagues, ensuring that you work collaboratively and that you treat all colleagues with respect and professionalism.
• Developing our business: you will have an awareness of the firm’s goals and clients, and have an appropriate level of involvement in building and maintaining relationships with key clients and prospects.

The primary focus of the role will be commercial, technology and regulatory work for a variety of clients and sectors. While you will cover a broad range, the ideal candidate would be someone who really enjoys a mixture of technology (transactional and regulatory), commercial and IP transactions, consumer advisory and regulatory, media and licensing matters.

About you

Our ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate:

• 1 to 4 years post-qualification experience in a Commercial / Technology team
• Excellent drafting, analytical and communication skills as well as strong attention to detail.
• A keen interest in developing your marketing and business development skills.
• Experience of a medium or large private practice law firm or a niche technology practice is preferred.
• Comfortable with taking responsibility for work output and dealing directly with clients
• A team player who is keen to support others to learn and who is keen to learn and develop their own skills
• Experience in consumer law and online safety would also be a plus.

At Lewis Silkin our ethos is simple. We strive to do the best for our clients, our people and the communities in which we operate. We recognise that an inclusive workplace allows for all kinds of ideas and thoughts, a variety of points of view that can trigger discussions or deliver innovative results, and a wide range of versatile skills and expertise. We are proud of the diversity within Lewis Silkin and of our culture that allows people to be themselves at work, ensuring we provide the best possible service to our clients.

We are committed to supporting candidates throughout the recruitment process by supporting anyone who requires adjustments, in order to ensure they have the opportunity to perform at their best. All applicants will be considered equally and fairly. If you’d like to request any adjustments throughout the recruitment process, or would like to discuss flexible working patterns, please email the recruitment team in confidence (recruitment@lewissilkin.com).