Corporate Tax Associate

Senior-level associate with excellent academic and professional qualifications. Must demonstrate Stephenson Harwood values (individuality, commitment, teamwork, straight talking), keen commitment to business development, entrepreneurial mindset, strong knowledge of employment law, accuracy, attention to detail, excellent verbal and drafting skills, organised and able to work to strict deadlines, flexibility in working hours, good file management, proactive matter management, resilience, cooperative approach, commercial awareness, and understanding of the firm's market position.

The responsibilities outlined in the job description paint a picture of a role that is both demanding and rewarding. You will not be a passive executor of tasks; you will be a proactive manager of matters, a trusted advisor to clients, and a key driver of the team's growth. The core duties include:

• Proactive day-to-day matter management—from inception to billing and collection, you own the file.
• Client liaison—extensive direct contact with clients, building relationships that go beyond individual cases.
• Litigation—conducting Tribunal and High Court cases, with counsel where appropriate.
• Transactional support—handling employment aspects of corporate deals, due diligence, and restructuring.
• Drafting—clear, concise, and commercially sound legal documents.
• Business development—attending events, delivering training, writing articles, podcasts, and e-alerts.
• Supervision and development—mentoring more junior associates and helping them grow.
• AI tool adoption—applying the firm's artificial intelligence tools to enhance efficiency.

This is not a back-office role. You will work closely with all three partners and the wider team, with significant autonomy in running files while receiving strong partner support. The firm's ethos of mutual commitment means you are expected to contribute to the team's business development strategy, spotting opportunities and sharing know-how.

The ideal candidate will also demonstrate:

• A keen commitment to business development and an entrepreneurial mindset.
• The ability to acquire, consolidate, and apply fundamental and up-to-date knowledge of employment law.
• Accuracy, attention to detail, and excellent verbal communication skills.
• Strong, commercial, and concise drafting skills.
• Organisational ability to work efficiently to strict deadlines, with realistic prioritisation.
• Flexibility in working hours and a strong commitment to client service delivery.
• Resilience, with the ability to handle setbacks and pressure.
• A cooperative, collaborative approach that builds excellent working relationships at all levels.

The reference to 'commercial awareness' is crucial—the firm wants someone who understands the firm's market position and how it differentiates itself from competitors. This is not just a legal expert; it is a commercial partner in waiting. Additionally, the firm explicitly welcomes applications from underrepresented demographics, reinforcing its commitment to diversity as a driver of high-calibre advice.

For many senior associates, the leap to managing associate is the final stepping stone before partnership. At Stephenson Harwood, the career path is not opaque; the firm's internal promise emphasises honest conversations and a competitive, fair reward structure based on all-round performance. This role is designed to give you exposure to client relationship development and business generation—skills that are indispensable for partnership consideration.

Given the calibre of this opportunity, your application must be meticulous. Here are strategic steps to craft a standout application:

• Tailor your CV—highlight your experience in employment litigation, transactional support, and advisory work.
• Draft a focused cover letter—address each of the required skills explicitly.
• Demonstrate commercial awareness by referencing Stephenson Harwood's sector focus and recent deals.
• Showcase business development—highlight any client seminars, articles, podcasts, or e-alerts you have produced.
• Prepare for competency questions—be ready to discuss how you have handled pressure, setbacks, and complex client relationships.
• Leverage referrals—LinkedIn notes that referrals increase your interview chances by 2x.

The application process is likely managed through LinkedIn, but you can also contact the HR team directly at hr.recruitment@shlegal.com for any accessibility or process-related queries. Remember that Stephenson Harwood encourages applications from diverse backgrounds, so do not hesitate to bring your unique perspective to the table.