67W - Commercial Associate/Senior Associate 

We are looking for a Commercial Associate/Senior Associate to join our growing team in our Watford office. The role is a mix of IP, commercial contracts and IT focussing mainly on non-contentious work.

About Us

VWV is a full service law firm ranked as a leader in both the Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 directories. Our firm-wide core values of teamwork and collaboration, putting the client at the centre of the firm and taking a commercial approach ensure a dedicated and expert service to all of our clients. Our high standards have been recognised by the Law Society through Lexcel and their Conveyancing Quality schemes.

With over 400 members of staff across four offices in London, Watford, Bristol and Birmingham, we are a medium size national law firm with a commitment to the training and development of our employees at all levels. This can be demonstrated by our Bronze Investors in People accreditation. On top of this, we have the reputation of being a friendly firm with approachable staff in all areas of the business. 96% of our clients say they would recommend us which, we believe, is a strong indicator of our culture.

  Overall Objective

To work with colleagues to help clients succeed in realising their business or personal objectives, through the efficient delivery of appropriate legal advice and assistance. This role is a mix of IP, commercial contracts and IT focussing mainly on non-contentious work.

Required Knowledge and Experience

Admitted solicitor with current Practising Certificate and a developing expertise in a specialist area of law.  Must demonstrate an ability to work to the SRA Skills Standards and to provide accurate, focussed advice to clients. Experience in the pharmaceutical sector is desired but not essential.

Skills Required

The ability to:

• conduct effective case and transaction management
• develop strong client relationships
• communicate effectively and confidently both verbally and in writing with colleagues and clients
• excellent drafting skills
• interview and advise clients, helping them decide the best course of action
• research the relevant legal issues applicable to a case
• conduct negotiations where appropriate 

Tasks

Legal advice and action

• Provide concise letters and reports for clients, written in plain language
• Undertake negotiations
• Draft concise documents in plain language

Leadership

• Demonstrate awareness through action of the firm's core values
• Develop personal profile and recognition throughout the firm

Business generation

• Contribute to the business development activities of the team and the firm
• Wherever the opportunity arises, promote the services of teams from across the firm to theclient for whom you are acting
• Introduce new clients to the firm
• Achieve agreed business development targets
• Identify and attend appropriate networking opportunities

Collaboration/people processes

• Play an active role within the current team
• Supervise where required and take responsibility for performance management for those whom you supervise
• Involve the secretaries and other support staff in an effective way
• Take responsibility for delegated work, ask for guidance in respect of matters which are unclear and report errors which need to be resolved
• Prepare and conduct Performance Development Reviews and where appropriate take responsibility for the development of staff under your supervision
• Conduct recruitment interviews (where necessary) for secretarial/assistant support

Knowledge sharing

• Participate in the firm's knowledge networks and systems to share ideas, know-how, expertise, documents and precedents

Financial management

Under the supervision of a Partner:

• Provide appropriate pricing options for clients
• Discuss each price and scope with another lawyer (who must be a pricing champion where the price exceeds £2,500)
• Where a client chooses to proceed on the basis of hourly rates, ask the client how often it wishes to be updated on fees
• Inform clients immediately if the scope of a matter changes, and explain the impact on price.
• Bill clients accurately and at agreed times
• Achieve agreed targets, including hours and billing
• Comply with the Solicitors’ Accounts Rules
• Deal promptly with any working capital exercises

Quality standards

• Demonstrate compliance with the firm's quality standards and procedures

Learning and development

• Attend the Management Course Stage 1 within the first three years of qualification
• Comply with CPD requirements and identify specific training needs
• View appropriate training webinars.
• Attend appropriate internal courses (for example management and IT skills)
• Provide informal and formal training as appropriate (e.g. induction, mentoring and internal team presentations)