Associate

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP is a leading international law firm with offices across the world. It has a substantial European practice with particular emphasis on international arbitration and litigation, cross-border acquisitions, capital markets transactions, private equity funds, financings and restructurings. The London office has more than 120 lawyers, including 29 partners and 22 international counsel. Over two thirds of our lawyers are UK-qualified. Our London lawyers work closely with their colleagues in New York, Paris and Frankfurt, as well as with lawyers in our other offices. The London office has an overall count of around 260.

The firm’s London employment practice advises clients on a wide variety of employment matters.  We regularly advise on the employment aspects of complex and high value Mergers and Acquisitions, as well as on executive service contacts, senior executive terminations, disciplinary and grievance matters and discrimination issues.

We are growing our London employment and benefits practice and seeking an associate with employment and benefits experience to support the existing International Counsel in this area.  Prior experience of employment and benefits matters in the context of high-value M&A transactions /private equity transactions is highly desirable.  

You will be working as part of cross-border and interdisciplinary teams to advise on complex, high-value, cutting edge transactions.   You will be developing relationships with clients and actively engaging in business development and thought leadership initiatives and seeking out opportunities for new work.  You will be drafting legal documents clearly and concisely, creating solutions using legal knowledge and commercial judgement.   You will need to demonstrate that you can thrive in a team with high professional standards and a flexible client-friendly commercial approach.  You will need to demonstrate an appetite for business development, client relationship management and thought leadership.

Specific responsibilities/typical work would involve:

• Working on the employment and benefits aspects of M&A/private equity transactions
• Dealing with stand-alone employment (and quasi-employment e.g. LLP) related matters such as drafting of employment/other contracts, executive severance arrangements, 

• Proven ability to work on complex projects
• Superior communication skills and excellent academic credentials are also essential.
• Team player; proactive and outgoing; hard working and energetic
• Excellent drafting, negotiation and communication skills
• Strong people skills; capable client hands
• Business oriented; market savvy

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP is an equal opportunities employer that values diversity and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religious practice or any other perceived differences.