Job description: The Employee Ownership and Equity Incentives team, which sits within the firm’s Tax and Private Client Team, is a friendly and open team, operating at a high level whilst retaining a healthy respect for work-life balance. We are looking for a new team member who has experience of working in this area.

The team is a destination practice for clients wanting to convert to the employee ownership trust (EOT) model of ownership, having been involved in this sector from its inception in 2014 and in employee ownership more generally for more than 30 years. Our clients are some of the most successful and well known businesses in their respective sectors, including leading firms of architects, designers, technology consultancies and ethically focused businesses. We advise on deals of all shapes and sizes, and we are increasingly taking on larger and more complex deals of the type that suits a full service law firm. The work is technically challenging, but highly rewarding, and forms a core part of the practice.

The advisory work of the team covers the design and implementation of all types of equity-based incentive plans, from bespoke solutions for executives and management teams to cross-border, all-employee share plans, including establishing employee benefit trusts (both onshore and offshore). We also advise on the full range of tax under Part 7 of ITEPA 2003. The practice has a diverse client base, from start-ups and high growth businesses to larger AIM-listed companies. Although our work is UK based, there are invariably international aspects to many projects, where we are required to source overseas advice. The work is wide ranging, from EMI option arrangements to growth share structures implemented as part of private equity transactions.

The team also supports the firm’s Corporate group on the incentives aspects of M&A transactions and IPOs, working with the Corporate Tax team when required.

Key Responsibilities for this Role

• Advising businesses on conversions to EOT-ownership, working closely with the firm’s Corporate team to manage projects from beginning to end (with partner support as required);
• Assisting EOT-owned clients with maintaining employee ownership structures which will include: advising on adopting and operating equity-based incentive plans alongside EOT-ownership; advising on “qualifying bonus plans”; and assisting with governance arrangements;
• Advising on the design and implementation of all types of equity-based incentive plans including, in particular, EMI and CSOP; and
• Assisting with business development and continuing our role as a thought leader in the sector including writing articles, attending conferences and events with our clients.

Please note that providing support to the firm’s Corporate group on the incentives aspects of transactions is not intended to be a key element of this role although it could be if desired.

You

We are looking for a qualified lawyer at Senior Associate/Legal Director level with either a tax/incentives or corporate background. Experience of advising companies on converting to EOT-ownership and equity-based incentives is essential and some experience of employment tax generally and trust law will be helpful. A keen interest in the valuation of shares for tax purposes would also be an advantage. Although the work is technical, this is very much a client facing role, with extensive interaction with clients required on a regular basis.

What is on offer

The role is based in the London office but with a “hybrid” working pattern so working from home will be an option for some of the time, if desirable. The team is based in London, but there may also be a possibility for a candidate who has more relevant experience to be based in our Manchester or Birmingham office, or to work between offices.

We are highly rated in all the legal directories and participate fully in external membership organisations such as Share Plan Lawyers, the ESOP Centre and the Employee Ownership Association. You will have the opportunity to attend lectures and courses provided by all these bodies.

Fieldfisher is a European law firm with market-leading practices in many of the world’s most dynamic sectors. We are an exciting, forward-thinking organisation with a particular focus on technology, financial services, energy & natural resources, and life sciences.

We are a law firm built around people with all their diversity and we strike a healthy balance between legal excellence and a down-to-earth practical approach to our clients’ needs. We believe The Future is Human, so we choose a collaborative approach with an intense focus on the end-user and consider carefully how to shape our services to add the most value to our clients.

Expected salary:

Location: London

Job date: Sat, 26 Aug 2023 04:10:06 GMT

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