Associate - Fraud & Criminal Litigation in London

The role Russell-Cooke is looking for a talented and ambitious Associate to join its Fraud & Criminal Litigation team. The team currently handles mainly criminal investigations and prosecutions, white collar crime and fraud-related matters and we focus on defence work, for individuals and organisations. We are undertaking an increasing role in advising and representing organisations under investigation and facing potential criminal sanctions for offences ranging from the new duty to prevent fraud to health and safety (including workplace safety, fire safety, food safety and product safety). We also act for individual directors and officers facing personal criminal sanctions.

We therefore deal with investigations by the Police but also other regulators such as HSE, Environment Agency, Fire & Rescue services, local authorities, the SFO and other similar regulators with criminal powers. Much of our work is supporting clients facing huge threats to reputation, whether personally or to products, brands or general public perception. In the social media age, our support has to be dynamic and immediate, we have to work as a team, and we have to see the bigger picture as well as being excellent lawyers.

The role will be based in our Putney office, with opportunities to work from our central London office in Holborn as well as from home, in line with the firm’s hybrid working policy (currently a minimum of 60% office attendance), subject always to client needs.

Hours: Full-time, 9.30am - 5.30pm

Department: Fraud and Criminal Litigation team

About You:

• You are ideally an associate with criminal practice experience with at least 3 years’ PQE.
• Representing clients throughout the investigation process from the incident or alleged offence through to any Magistrates’ or Crown Court proceedings and beyond as required.
• Comfortable working directly with clients, and at their locations as required.
• Comfortable becoming involved in client matters at short notice and at pace.
• Able to demonstrate strong technical legal ability, analytical skills and sound judgement, with the ability to provide practical and solutions-focused advice.
• Excellent client service skills.
• Curious and enthusiastic, including supporting the team’s growth through marketing and business development opportunities.

Naturally, you will be able to work collaboratively with other team members and colleagues, and whilst you will be provided with the necessary support and supervision, you will be able to secure the trust and confidence of clients facing unfamiliar challenges and processes. We want all our associates to see career progression opportunities with us and we will support (and challenge) you to develop professionally and personally as part of our commitment to you.

The Firm: Russell-Cooke is a progressive firm, recognised as a UK Top 100 law firm, with over 250 lawyers and legal professionals across three London offices. We combine high-quality legal work with a collaborative, supportive and inclusive culture.

Your career development: Russell-Cooke’s lawyers are rounded professional advisers with strong commercial awareness and a commitment to exceeding client expectations. All our lawyers benefit from our cohort-based career development programme. We understand the importance of building an internal network and have developed this excellent cohort programme to allow our lawyers to work together across practice areas and share their knowledge, experiences and networks. At each stage of your career, and as you move through the cohorts, a bespoke training programme will be provided to support you with your development and progression.

Salary And Benefits: We offer competitive salaries and a generous benefits package.

Diversity and inclusion: We have a diverse workforce and aim to attract high-calibre applicants who reflect the demography of our geographical location and client base. We recruit and employ people solely on merit according to the requirements of the role. No applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of sex, race, marital status, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy/maternity or religion. Reasonable adjustments will be made to eliminate or reduce disadvantage.