Tax Associate

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 get 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 are 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 700 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

• The core Tax, Reward & Incentives team consists of:

• Matthew Rowbotham, Partner and Head of Tax and Incentives, who advises primarily on corporate and commercial transactions, with some incentives work.
• Kathy Granby, Partner and Head of Share Incentives, who advises primarily on share plans and incentive arrangements.
• Philip Swinburn, Legal Director, who advises on employment tax and global mobility matters.
• Emma McGrory, Senior Associate, who advises on a variety of corporate, commercial and real estate matters.
• Michael Birchall, Associate, who specialises in employee share incentive schemes.

About the role

You will be advising employers and individuals on UK employment tax and global mobility matters, including in relation to:

• Compensation and benefits structuring and policies.
• IR35, off-payroll workers and umbrella company legislation.
• Terminations and settlement agreements.
• Personal tax.
• Cross border working arrangements.
• HMRC clearances, disclosures, enquiries, and early-stage disputes.

You will receive support to develop as a specialist in employment tax and global mobility, and will work across departments at Lewis Silkin. This includes access to a wide range of high‑quality matters, supervision and regular internal and external training. We will support relevant professional qualifications and continuing professional development.

You will be encouraged to contribute to know‑how, precedent development, external articles and client publications. Alongside the day-to-day there will be opportunities to present at client seminars and to participate in business development, including RFP support and involvement in client relationship initiatives. In time you will manage your own matters, supervise trainees and junior colleagues, and contribute to client training and business development initiatives.

About you

We are looking for someone who enjoys solving practical problems, communicates clearly and can build trust with both internal teams and external clients. We welcome applications from candidates with a legal or non-legal background. You should bring experience that is at the NQ–2 PQE level in private practice, or equivalent as an ATT/CTA-qualified employment tax adviser. A solid grounding in the core areas of employment tax is essential, together with an appetite to broaden your experience across tax. Experience in incentives and transactional support would be positive but is not essential.

You will demonstrate strong analytical skills and sound commercial judgement, with the ability to translate technical requirements into clear, actionable advice. You will be comfortable juggling multiple projects, proactive in managing deadlines and confident working as part of cross‑disciplinary teams. An interest in developing client relationships and contributing to practice growth is important.

Strong academic credentials are expected, and excellent written and oral communication skills are essential.

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).