Commercial Associate / Senior Associate

Job Title: Commercial Associate/Senior Associate (4+ years PQE)
Location: Bristol | Top 50 Firm

Is this the next step in your legal career?

For a skilled Commercial Lawyer, this is an exceptional opportunity to work on pioneering, high-profile projects alongside industry leaders, in an environment that values innovation, collaboration, and excellence.
The Commercial team at this firm is renowned for delivering practical, high-quality advice to both private and public sector clients. Specialising in complex, high-stakes legal matters, they are trusted advisors on groundbreaking projects and high-profile transactions.

This prestigious Top 50 firm is firmly established in the heart of Bristol, leveraging its rich heritage to become a key player in the UK legal market. Their unique business model enables them to deliver large-scale, multi-disciplinary commercial services to a diverse client base, including major corporations, visionary start-ups, and public bodies with complex needs.

The firm prides itself on maintaining strong, long-term relationships with clients across various sectors, ensuring their ongoing success in a rapidly evolving legal landscape. Known for being creative, entrepreneurial, and forward-thinking, the firm has earned a reputation as the go-to choice for businesses in the region.

Despite being a robust corporate firm, they foster an approachable and collaborative environment, where lawyers at all levels feel a strong sense of camaraderie. This thriving culture is enhanced by an active social calendar and a genuine commitment to professional development, making this an exciting and rewarding place to work.

An ambitious Commercial Associate/Senior Associate (4+ years PQE) is sought to join this prominent Bristol team. The team is recognized as a leader in the field, handling some of the most high-profile and groundbreaking commercial projects in the legal market. The successful candidate will have the chance to work across a diverse range of industries and be involved in both commercial and intellectual property (IP) work.

Key responsibilities include:

• Drafting and negotiating commercial contracts, including distribution, agency, and franchise agreements
• Advising on regulatory matters, including consumer contracts
• Supporting complex transactions, such as hive-downs and corporate restructures
• Intellectual Property (IP) work, including:
  • IP transactions such as licensing, assignments, and franchising
  • Structuring IP ownership and advising on related matters
  • Drafting and negotiating R&D, collaboration agreements (both academic and private sector), and joint ventures
  • Conducting intellectual property audits
  • Supporting broader transactions, where IP is integral

The firm has developed a deep understanding of its clients' industry sectors, which allows it to attract a high-quality national and international client base. The clients include well-known names such as John Lewis, Virgin, Waitrose, and Yeo Valley, with the team providing comprehensive and strategic services across both commercial and IP matters.
This role offers exposure to a broad range of legal work, from high-profile commercial transactions to complex IP matters. The successful candidate will gain invaluable experience working alongside top-tier Partners on groundbreaking projects, contributing directly to the firm's continued success.

The ideal candidate will have:

• 4+ years PQE with a strong commercial background gained in a leading commercial department
• Experience in drafting and negotiating commercial contracts and providing regulatory advice
• Strong knowledge or experience in intellectual property law, particularly in IP transactions and R&D collaborations
• Ability to manage a diverse and complex workload efficiently
• A proactive, commercially astute individual with a passion for professional growth and a commitment to delivering exceptional results

• Highly competitive salary package at the top end of the market, along with an attractive benefits package
• Exposure to impactful, high-profile work with leading clients across industries
• Opportunity to collaborate with top-tier lawyers and next-generation Partners
• A supportive and collaborative work environment that nurtures professional development and career growth

This is a fantastic opportunity for an ambitious Commercial Associate/Senior Associate to join a top-tier team in Bristol and work on some of the most exciting and innovative projects in the legal sector. If you are looking to make an impact and continue to grow your career, the firm would love to hear from you.

Apply now to take the next step in your legal career with one of the UK's leading firms.