Freeths
Corporate Managing Associate, Director or Partner - Bristol

How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
About the team
Freeths highly rated and award-winning team of over 70 corporate lawyers have extensive experience of advising businesses ranging from entrepreneurs, SMEs, financial institutions to FTSE 100. Operating from 12 UK locations the team provide advice and guidance on mergers and acquisitions, disposals, fundraising, private equity, equity capital markets, due diligence, joint ventures, shareholder arrangements, reorganisations and demergers, corporate structures and governance.
The Corporate team in Bristol is now going through a period of exciting growth and is led by Emily Settle, who is one of our experienced and knowledgeable Partners. Emily is listed as a Recommended Lawyer in The Legal 500 (2025 edition) and is also ranked as a Leading Individual in Chambers and Partners (2025 edition). Emily acts for founders in M&A and fundraising transactions and she also advises a large portfolio of international companies backed by private equity sponsors. The team, therefore, offers a unique blend of top-level national legal expertise and an international reach, as well as providing a local platform.
About the Role
The Bristol Corporate team now have an exciting opportunity for an ambitious individual to join them. Candidates with at least 8+ PQE are invited to apply, but we would also be interested in speaking with you if you have more experience. You will be involved in the whole range of corporate work including mergers and acquisitions, shareholders agreements, corporate restructurings, joint ventures and private equity. The team work seamlessly across our offices, and you will be a good team player. We encourage all our lawyers from an early stage to network and develop their own client relationships and you will be actively supported in this and in progressing your career.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
See breakdownIt searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Key Responsibilities:
- To work to a consistently high level and to provide an exemplary level of client service and care.
- Competent financial management and commercial awareness, including accurate time recording, billing, achievement of firm delivered targets and management of WIP.
- To drive business development opportunities to ensure the retention of existing clients and development of new client relationships.
- To ensure at all times that you maintain up to date technical expertise.
- To be accountable for your own personal development and to continuously develop interpersonal and soft skills.
- To be competent at all times in accordance with the SRA competence standards.
- To carry out any other such reasonable tasks that may be required from time to time.


Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Your skills and qualifications:
- Have directly relevant previous extensive experience and have the correct level of post qualified experience (PQE) for the role in question.
- To have a strong commercial acumen and understanding of the industry and business of the client.
- To run and manage your own case load with minimal supervision.
- A proven track record of competent financial management, ability to meet client expectations and sound case management skills.
- Good IT skills, experience, and confidence with using case management systems, electronic time recording and general Microsoft packages.
- To be a self-starting, friendly individual with excellent interpersonal skills.
- To be able to consistently demonstrate and embody the firm’s values.
No agencies direct applications only. For further information or a confidential discussion, please contact the recruitment team RecruitmentFreeths@freeths.co.uk.
SMART. BOLD. TOGETHER. WE ARE FREETHS.
Become part of the team at Freeths.
View some of our recent highlights on our website here [https://www.freeths.co.uk/about-us/]
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences. If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know and we will be happy to support you.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Location