Job Description

Job descriptionWe are recruiting for an Associate to join our Pensions team in London.Department purpose
A&O Shearman's global employment and compensation practice brings together the expertise of around 150 dedicated lawyers across our global network.Within that practice our London Pensions team (Tier 1 in Chambers and Legal 500) offers the full range of support in respect of pension and retirement benefits (both for sponsors and trustees) advising some of the largest and most high profile pension schemes in the UK. Around 80% of the practice is advisory, supporting the team's stand alone client base with the remaining 20% working with our M&A, banking and funds teams on domestic and cross border transactions. A&O Shearman also leads the market in pension risk transfer transactions - the London Pensions team partners with the Corporate insurance team in advising on some of industry's largest buy-in and longevity swap transactions.Role and responsibilities

• Drafting, reviewing and amending documentation
• Legal research
• Providing strategic guidance to clients
• Attending client meetings and participating in client training sessions
• Managing client expectations and project delivery appropriately
• Business development - development of personal plan; assistance with and implementation of business development campaign

Key requirements

• Qualified lawyer (NQ+) with some/good technical knowledge with regards to Pensions law
• Strong transactional experience
• Intellectual curiosity and versatility
• Self-starter with the desire and ability to continuously acquire, build upon and share knowledge
• Detail-focused and self-motivated approach
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines
• Excellent client relationship skills
• Strong commercial/business acumen with the ability to deliver creative and pragmatic solutions and advice
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interface at all levels and particularly to win the respect of the partner and fee-earner community, building strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders
• Collaborative team player with the ability to develop and work in a fast paced, intellectually rigorous environment

Should you require additional support at any stage of the recruitment process due to a disability or a health condition, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our recruitment team who will work with you to provide any adjustments as required.We are an equal opportunities recruiter and do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other protected characteristic.We recognise that our people are our most valuable asset, which is reflected in the wide range of benefits that are available to our employees. Some of these benefits include: our occupational pension scheme, group income protection cover, private medical insurance, mental health resources and free apps, health and wellbeing services encompassing an onsite gym, wellbeing centre and GP service, emergency back-up care support, parental and special leave, holiday entitlement increasing with length of service, holiday trading, season ticket loans and online discounts and lifestyle management services.Our approach to hybrid working seeks to combine and maximise the benefits of effective remote working with the benefits of being in the office. Our current hybrid working arrangements require office based working for a minimum of 60% of your time (i.e. three days per week for a full time role) in accordance with our hybrid working policy.Area of expertiseCompensation, Employment, Pensions & GovernanceOfficeLondon - Bishops SquareAdditional information - ExternalA&O Shearman is a new global industry-leading law firm, with nearly 50 offices in 29 countries worldwide. Our fluency in English law, US law, and the laws of the world's most dynamic markets, enables us to provide unmatched insight and seamless delivery to clients. We work on challenging and important deals and disputes that have the potential to shape the future.We offer exceptional opportunities for our people; opportunities to work for the world's leading businesses; to transform the status quo, and to deliver your best work, helping you and your career to thrive, while delivering unparalleled outcomes for our clients.Whether you're helping clients solve complex challenges, transforming the ways we manage our business, or ensuring the smooth-running of our operations, this is an environment where you can belong and excel. We provide first-rate training and development, we are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and we provide support and ways of working that help you optimise your wellbeing.What truly defines a career with us? We recruit the best and ask for the best of you. And together, we will redefine success.Working arrangementHybrid (combination of office & remote working)

A&O Shearman