Commercial Principal Associate/Legal Director

Job title

Principal Associate/Legal Director

Department

Business Services – Commercial

Our Purpose

To forge long-term relationships that have a positive impact on our people, our clients, our business partners, and our community.

Our Commitment to Our People

We do not think there is a magic formula to the Higgs culture. The key is to listen to and respect our people. If we take care of our people and our people take care of our clients, then everything we want as a firm will take care of itself. We are friendly and open to new ideas.

Our Core Values

Higgs core values are “CLEAR” – Care, Legacy, Excellence, Authenticity, Relationships

Role Purpose

We act for businesses from start-up to sale. We take time to get to know our clients so that we can give a true personal service delivering the right solutions based on individual needs.

We are looking for a Principal Associate/Director to work within and grow our commercial offering which forms part of the wider Business Services Department. The team handles a varied non-contentious workload for owner managed businesses and corporates.

We are looking for a genuinely “commercial” lawyer who can provide real advice and add value to our clients, who see us an extension of their business teams. Collaboration and key relationships are our focus and we are genuinely invested in our clients to provide a bespoke service.

This is an important appointment as we are looking for this individual play a pivotal role in growth and further expansion. A team player that can work in a collaborative and progressive environment.

Person Specification

• Can provide excellent technical and commercial advice on complex matters.
• Ability to articulate the commercial team’s offering and engage with the firm’s existing and prospective clients on the benefits of a proactive relationship.
• Significant Business Development activity for self, department and firm with ability to develop client Business Development plan and drives team to deliver it.
• Has a strong profile, network and established reputation within the business community.
• A desire to create a good rapport with business owners and clients’ key decision makers in order to build and maintain long term relationships as a trusted adviser.
• Personal effectiveness and self-management
• Good and user-friendly communication skills, ability to adapt style with clients and members of the team.
• Strong organisational skills
• Able to quickly build confidence and trust, with specific emphasis on managing, supporting and developing the team

Technical Knowledge

The ideal candidate requires rounded general non-contentious commercial experience with an appetite to work with a broad client base with varied advisory needs including,

• Bespoke commercial contracts
• Agency and distribution
• Terms & Conditions
• Intellectual Property
• E-commerce and IT
• Data Protection
• Franchising
• Consumer Law

What You Need to Know

Higgs offers hybrid working wherever possible. Our Higgs’ Best FIT (flexible, inclusive, together) principles are designed to ensure that people can complete their best work from the most appropriate location. If you are looking to work flexibly then let us know and we will do what we can to accommodate your request.

We encourage a ‘dress for your diary’ approach which means dressing in a manner appropriate for your schedule or the specific appointments you have on any given day.

Equal Opportunities

As charter signatories to The Law Society’s Diversity and Inclusion Charter, Higgs are committed to developing a diverse business by engaging with the widest pool of talent. We recognise this is an ongoing journey and regularly monitor our figures which can be viewed here.

People Driven. Legal Excellence