Associate - Corporate Tax & Incentives

We have an exciting opening for a driven junior lawyer to join our highly-rated Corporate Tax & Incentives team. This is a unique opportunity to work in a highly professional, supportive and dynamic group. This Associate position exists for a technically strong, personable and ambitious lawyer who has experience handling a wide range of matters and undertaking a broad range of work.

This opportunity is perfect for someone looking to qualify into Corporate Tax & Incentives – perhaps you have completed a seat within a Corporate Tax team and are looking for a role upon qualification. We would equally welcome applications from those who already have 1-3 years’ experience.

The successful candidate will work closely with senior members of the department including partners, whilst liaising with other teams and advising on all taxation aspects of a transaction, both domestic and international. They will focus on mitigating liabilities and maximising allowances, providing tax support on corporate transactions and helping to design and implement equity incentive schemes for our clients.

Candidates should have drive and an enthusiasm for a broad diet of Corporate Tax & Incentives work. The successful candidate is also likely to be a strong team player with good inter-personal skills, to have strong academics and high quality experience – typically gained within a major City or leading national/regional practice. They will also possess excellent communication, negotiation and organisational skills.  First-class support and learning and development opportunities will be provided and early responsibility is offered to all team members.

The ideal candidate will:

• Be a qualified solicitor from NQ–3 years’ PQE who has trained with a leading City, National or Regional firm.
• Have at least six months’ experience gained within a dedicated Corporate Tax & Incentives team, with experience of tax support for M&A transactions.
• Have a strong academic record with at least a 2:1 at degree level. 
• Be a team player with first class client care and communication skills across all levels. 
• Possess meticulous attention to detail and a high level of numeracy. 
• Be driven, dedicated and seeking to further their career in a leading team.

Stevens & Bolton is one of the most profitable firms in the south of England, and provides excellent long-term career opportunities for ambitious candidates who aspire to partnership. We aim to reward Associates with market leading salaries (outside London) and a comprehensive package of benefits.

Hear from two of our current Corporate Tax & Incentives team members about their experiences of the team/ firm, below:

Melanie Shone - Senior Associate:

One of the key attractions of S&B for me when I joined was the diversity of the corporate tax practice, allowing me to deepen my experience of tax advisory and share scheme work, at the same time serving a variety of clients from small start-ups to big multi-national household names. It has certainly delivered on that promise!  But S&B is so much more than that – once here, I found an amazing workplace community where kindness, collaboration and support are second nature, all the way up to the Partnership. There are also plenty of “extra-curricular” activities if that is your thing (social, charitable and BD related). It isn’t just marketing puff, this really is excellence beyond the City.  

Sarah Balchin - Managing Associate:

When I joined the Corporate Tax team as a NQ from the City, I was attracted to the firm due to the opportunities for greater client contact from the start and being able to take the lead earlier on.  The City quality work and diverse client base was also a factor.  It’s a small team, with a broad tax and incentives practice, but we work together really well, and the firm as a whole is approachable, friendly and down to earth.  The supervision is excellent and the supportive atmosphere allows you to develop at your own rate.  Outside of the work, the S&B choir, and the netball, football and cricket teams are always happy to see new members!

Stevens & Bolton is a UK law firm with over 250 people. Of those around 150 are lawyers, approximately a third of them partners, many of whom chose to join us from City law firms. Our office is based in Guildford and our employees work from here and also flexibly. Whilst we are based in Guildford, we also operate a hybrid working model but will consider candidates for this role who wish to work wholly remotely. We’ve made excellence the hallmark of our firm: in the clear advice we give, in the enduring client relationships we build and in our proactive and highly responsive service. We seek to recruit people who will help us maintain and build on this, and in return we offer excellent long-term career and development opportunities. You’ll work with people who listen, and who actively and willingly support one another within a collaborative and engaging environment. We genuinely care about our people and strive to build and maintain a diverse, inclusive and happy workforce.

Our Vision

Our vision is to be one of the UK’s most successful law firms, offering excellence beyond the city, a supportive culture and the best client experience. Always making a positive difference. We were proud to be named Law Firm of the Year: The Independents at The Lawyer Awards 2020.

Our Diversity Commitment

We have a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion (D&I). This drives a strategy which focuses on constant promotion of an inclusive culture that encourages everyone to realise their full potential and be themselves at work. In 2020 we were shortlisted for “Best D&I Initiative” at The HR Awards and for “Best Talent and Inclusion Initiative” at The Lawyer Awards.