Associate/Managing Associate, Life Sciences (2-5+ PQE)

Join to apply for the Managing Associate, Life Sciences (5+ PQE) role at Mishcon de Reya LLP.

Our life sciences and digital health practice reflects the full diversity of the life sciences sector, ranging from start-ups and venture-backed companies to MNCs, research organisations to grant funders, research parks, CROs and technology consultancies. Our clients' technologies include: bioinformatics, cell and gene therapy, diagnostics and biomarkers, devices, digital health, AI, data and agritech - as well as more traditional small molecule drug development.

Situated within our Technology, Life Sciences, and Commercial division, within the wider Innovation department, the life sciences group advises on a wide range of transactional, regulatory, patent strategy and related commercial matters. At the core we advise on licensing, partnering, research and development, joint venture and other commercialisation transactions, and this role would support all non-contentious areas within the life sciences group. We also work closely with our funding team on IP issues associated with spin-outs and funding rounds. We are actively involved in business development.

Our team includes lawyers with PhD and science degrees, which, whilst not mandatory for this role, is beneficial and helps provide commercially aware and technically informed advice.

As a Managing Associate, you will be a self-starter, motivated and able to build relationships with clients and counterparties. You would be expected to help develop the junior members of the team and lead transactions. You will be enthusiastic and willing to contribute to developing and growing the firmwide life sciences practice and immersing yourself within the "golden triangle" tech ecosystem which our team is firmly embedded in.

You should have experience of working on a broad range of transactional commercial and technology matters, with strong experience of directly negotiating agreements for a variety of domestic and international clients in the life sciences sector. There is also a wealth of day-to-day work which any life sciences/biotech business would be involved in, including contracts relating to clinical trials, research collaborations and agreements, and partnering with academia.

You need to demonstrate a passion in relation to the advancement of technology and its commercial application, as well as the ability to fit seamlessly into working with our clients, advising on their business needs. Given the nature of our clients, knowledge of life sciences is important, and you will need to demonstrate the ability to absorb complex information and apply your experience and legal skills to deliver actionable, pragmatic, and informed advice to our clients.

• At least 5 years PQE and able to exhibit an excellent knowledge of life sciences and a real awareness of the sector.
• Experience working on a broad range of transactional commercial and technology matters.
• Experience and/or training in the natural sciences is desirable, although not a mandatory requirement for this role.
• Demonstrates a passion in relation to the advancement of technology and its commercial application within the life sciences/biotech and pharma ecosystem.
• Excellent written and interpersonal skills.
• Able to work independently and manage a varied workload, ensuring excellent communication lines with colleagues at all levels.
• Excellent team working skills.
• At all times, to exercise high standards of client care and service in a professional and pleasant manner.
• Strong organisational and prioritisation skills to meet the demands of challenging and commercial internal and external clients.
• Personable and confident, able to ensure good working relationships with colleagues, clients and external organisations.
• Resilient and calm under pressure.
• Able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Demonstrates a hunger to undertake business development activities, both internally amongst colleagues across the firm, and externally to existing and potential new clients.
• Takes responsibility for and attends to self-development.

Please note that this job profile is not an exhaustive list of duties but merely an outline of the key components of the role. You may be required by your line manager to take on additional responsibilities when requested.

The Mishcon de Reya Group is an independent, international professional services business with law at its heart, employing over 1400 people with over 650 lawyers. It includes the law firm Mishcon de Reya LLP and a collection of leading consultancy businesses that complement the firm's legal services. Mishcon de Reya LLP is based in London, Oxford, Cambridge, Singapore and Hong Kong (through its association with Karas So LLP). The firm services an international community of clients and provides advice in situations where the constraints of geography often do not apply. Its work is cross-border, multi-jurisdictional and complex, spanning six core practice areas: Corporate; Dispute Resolution; Employment; Innovation; Private; and Real Estate.

The Mishcon de Reya Group includes consultancy businesses MDR Discover, MDR Mayfair (in London, Singapore and Dubai), MDR ONE, and MDRi (in Hong Kong). The Group also includes MDR Lab, which invests in the most promising early stage legaltech companies as well as the Mishcon Academy, its in-house place of learning and platform for thought leadership. In 2024, the Group announced its first strategic acquisition in the alternative legal services market, flexible legal resourcing business Flex Legal. It also acquired a majority stake in Somos, a global group actions management business.

We strive to create a fully diverse and inclusive workplace where all our people are empowered to fulfil their potential. We are proud of our agile working culture and are always happy to talk flexible working.