Job Description

What we will offer

If you require this document in an accessible format (e.g. large print), please contact hr.recruitment@shlegal.com or call 020 7809 2711

We will offer you a place where you can be yourself and where there are no limits on what you can achieve. With us, you can take ownership of your career and have honest conversations throughout. You would join an ambitious firm with a clear strategy for profitable growth where you can get early responsibility and early involvement in growing the business. Here you can expect a competitive and fair reward as well as recognition based on all round performance. This forms part of our internal promise to you, The Deal, between the firm and its employees.

Team Structure

Stephenson Harwood has an opportunity for a lawyer to join an existing cross-practice sanctions team. The successful candidate would be primarily focussed on a mix of general contentious and contentious sanctions work and would sit within the Corporate and Commercial Disputes team but would also work with colleagues around the firm on a wide range of sanctions-related matters.

Stephenson Harwood\xe2\x80\x99s highly regarded Corporate and Commercial Disputes team advises on the full range of disputes. We represent clients in High Court litigation, international and domestic arbitration, and advise and assist clients on ADR, including mediation. Most of what we do is truly international and often multi-jurisdictional; we manage complex proceedings in other jurisdictions and co-ordinate proceedings in more than one jurisdiction. The team is renowned for its depth and ability to handle a broad range of disputes but has particular expertise in banking and financial services litigation and regulation, competition litigation, fund litigation, shareholder disputes and corporate litigation, professional and management liability and sanctions litigation.

The successful candidate will have:

• A proven track record over at least three years of advising clients on sanctions matters.

• A minimum of five years post-qualification experience in a leading litigation team in private practice.

• The majority of their experience will have been on cases in one or more of these areas:

• Shareholder, joint-venture and private equity disputes.
• Banking, funds and finance disputes including derivatives and structured finance.
• Professional services including investment management, solicitors, accountants and audit negligence disputes.
• Regulatory and enforcement including sanctions and export controls.

Main Responsibilities

• Draft and deliver complex and bespoke documents/advice and can think creatively to propose and deliver innovative solutions.
• Action complex instructions directly and effectively manages relationships with clients.
• Analyses and prioritises client needs to deliver commercially focused advice.
• Builds relationships both externally and internally with existing and/or new contacts/clients.
• Lead on legal projects to deliver matters profitably.
• Able to work collaboratively with others including coaching, supervising, and developing junior colleagues.

Most of our roles are hybrid, meaning that colleagues benefit from working in our office and remotely. We are happy to discuss this and other flexible working arrangements with you as part of the application and interview process.

Attributes/Skills Required

• Experience in taking ownership for a deal or case, particularly in relation to technical expertise and client service in addition to project management and driving a deal forward.
• In-depth knowledge of respective practice areas, global coverage and relevant sectors; including significant clients, market conditions and competitors.
• Proven track record of identifying and pursuing business development opportunities and helping to secure instructions from new and existing clients.
• Being able to leverage existing network of contacts and having an internal and external profile.
• Demonstrates an aptitude and responsibility for all aspects of financial management on some matters with a business savvy and commercial approach.

This job description is indicative only and does not represent an exhaustive list of responsibilities. The firm reserves the right to alter or change the responsibilities at any time, in line with the firm\'s strategy and business needs.

We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to having a diverse workforce. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, culture or any other protected characteristics. We aim to create a culture where everyone can be themselves and is valued for their strengths and unique perspectives.

About the Firm

With 8 offices worldwide and with our headquarters based in London, Stephenson Harwood is a law firm where our people are committed to achieving the goals of our clients - listed and private companies, institutions, and individuals across the globe. Our mix of expertise and culture results in a combination of deep local insight and the capability to provide a seamless international service.

Our experience encompasses corporate, commercial litigation and arbitration, employment, pensions and private wealth, finance, marine and international trade, and real estate and projects.

We assemble teams of bright thinkers to match our clients\' needs and give the right advice from the right person at the right time. Dedicating the highest calibre of legal talent to overcome the most complex issues, we deliver pragmatic, expert advice that is set squarely in the real world.

We understand the power of diversity in delivering that high calibre advice to our clients. We want to attract diverse talent and we particularly encourage applications from underrepresented demographics.

Our values:

Individuality - We encourage creativity and develop talent

Commitment - To be the best and deliver the highest standard

Teamwork - We work together to build close, long-term relationships

Straight talking - We say what we mean and do what we say

These values express the personality of the individuals within our firm. They are the behaviours we encourage in our people and the standards which inform our decisions and actions.

Our vision into 2026

To be a successful firm where talented people work together in an entrepreneurial environment, building long term client relationships.

This vision is about who we want to be, as well as who we are. It is as much about our values as about our character \xe2\x80\x93 the attributes we want to see from all of our people. It also reflects the importance of remaining independent - a clear sign that we are confident in our own future. That\'s how we unlock our entrepreneurial spirit, advising our clients with top performing teams.

A key part of the 2026 strategy is to focus on five core sectors: decarbonisation, life sciences, private capital & funds, technology, and transportation & trade. These have been identified as crucial in the drive for accelerated profitable growth.

Stephenson Harwood