Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer is a world-leading global law firm, where our ambition is to help you achieve your goals.
Exceptional client service and the pursuit of excellence are at our core. We invest in and care about our client relationships, which is why so many are longstanding. We enjoy breaking new ground, as we have for over 170 years.
As a fully integrated transatlantic and transpacific firm, we are where you need us to be. Our footprint is extensive and committed across the world’s largest markets, key financial centres and major growth hubs.
At our best tackling complexity and navigating change, we work alongside you on demanding litigation, exacting regulatory work and complex public and private market transactions. We are recognised as leading in these areas.
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All of this is achieved by supporting the growth of our people, who help us deliver on our ambition – which is to help you achieve yours.
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer: Your goals. Our ambition
The Opportunity
Key Responsibilities
Pensions (within Employment, pensions and remuneration and incentives (EPI))
Main areas covered | corporate, advisory and litigation aspects relating to pensions
Key clients include | G4S | TimeWarner | TUI Travel | Pensions Insurance Corporation| Pension Protection Fund | Lloyds Banking Group
Sector expertise includes | accountancy, professional and business services | infrastructure and transport | financial institutions | insurance and reinsurance | TMT
The Pensions group and the role
Our pensions group advises employers, trustees, financial institutions, intermediaries, Governmental bodies and bidders and sellers on all aspects of occupational and increasingly personal pension arrangements.
We provide clients with both domestic and cross-border pensions expertise.
We provide a full range of legal services in relation to pension schemes, as well as providing specialist support on transactions, litigation and insolvency matters. These include:
advising trustees, employers and scheme administrators on legal issues arising from the operation of schemes
advising in relation to funding deficits in defined benefit schemes and difficulties arising from the increased costs of financing them
advising on risk and volatility management through benefit design and insured solutions
advising on pension scheme reorganisations, mergers and wind-ups
advising professional and regulatory bodies
advising on public/private sector pensions issues
a substantial cross-departmental pensions disputes practice.
We are looking for candidates who can help to deal with the full spectrum of issues affecting pension schemes and the companies which sponsor them, from day-to-day drafting of documentation to advising businesses and trustees on a wide variety of legal issues. The successful candidate will provide first rate legal advice and suggest practical solutions to clients' problems. Note that the role is pensions specific and candidates will not be required to lead on employment or employee remuneration and incentive matters.
Qualifications, skills and experience
Exceptional academics (at least a 2:1 degree classification)
Broad experience gained at a City or regional firm with a recognised pensions practice
We'd envisage the successful candidate to have 2-4.5 years ofpost-qualification experience within pensions but are happy to consider candidates with more or less experience who have the relevant skills and experience.
Competencies
Technical
Legal ability - detailed grasp of complex legal concepts, excellent drafting skills, ability to see issues from a commercial perspective and able to communicate complex legal advice to clients effectively
Delivering excellent client service - excellent communications skills, driven to deliver to…