Stephenson Harwood LLC
Pensions Advisory Associate
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What we will offer
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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
We are an established and successful Pensions Advisory practice with a strong team all based in London. We have three Partners, two Of Counsel, one Managing Associate, one mid-level Associate, two junior Associates, two Consultants, and a Senior Knowledge Development Lawyer. We work closely with our pensions disputes colleagues, as well as other specialist areas such as funds, data protection, cyber security, employment, private wealth and corporate. Our focus is specialist pensions advice, with limited corporate support work. Our team of experts help trustees, employers, charities, institutions, master trusts, high net worth individuals and public bodies with their pensions issues.
We are tier-two ranked in Legal 500 and tier one for pensions disputes. Clients commend our pensions team for "high quality advice across every area of work that we have asked them about - drawing on specialist expertise from across SH as required." Our team and revenue has grown significantly in recent years as clients turn to us for our high-quality advice at the right price-point for the pensions market.
The pensions team is a leading team in the firm for AI and innovation and welcomes conversations with associates who feel enthused by change and the ability to be part of helping shape a pensions team for the future. Stephenson Harwood won Best Pensions Law Firm at the Corporate Adviser Awards in June 2026. As a result, it is a very exciting time to join the team. This opportunity comes with lots of scope for professional development and growth, building on the successful candidate’s established skills and experience.
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Main Responsibilities
Roles and responsibilities will include:
- Clear and concise preparation and drafting of legal advice.
- Liaising with clients under the supervision of partners and supporting partners to manage client relationships.
- Analysing facts and applying up-to-date law to provide clear, practical advice to clients
- Conducting legal research using internal and external knowledge management resources.
- Attending business development and profile-raising events (client seminars, graduate recruitment activities).
- Contributing to the profile of the team and being willing to undertake business development activities, including:
- Developing an internal and external network of contacts.
- Building excellent working relationships with clients and peers within Stephenson Harwood.
Attributes/Skills Required
We are looking for someone who has:
- A pro-active and positive approach to work, clients and the team.
- A willing approach to new technologies and ways of working.
- A consistent ability to meet client and internal deadlines.
- A desire and ability to maintain up to date knowledge of law and practice.
- A keen interest in working on non-contentious matters.
- Pride in the service given to clients.
You will be supported by the pensions advisory team's three established partners and the wider pensions team. Our aim is to provide a supportive environment where continuous development is encouraged.
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We are looking for an England and Wales qualified lawyer, looking at progressing their career at an established firm with a foundation in and developing expertise in UK pensions.
We are also seeking someone who has the ambition to move forward with their career in the coming years.
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.
About the Firm
Stephenson Harwood is an international law firm, and we're committed to creating 'positive partnerships' with our clients. We represent listed and private companies, institutions and individuals, building lasting relationships to help them succeed in a complex and ever-changing world.
Our focus is on five core sectors: Energy Transition, Life Sciences and Healthcare, Private Capital and Funds, Technology, and Transportation and Trade.
With more than 1,500 people, including 250+ partners, across eleven offices in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, we combine deep legal capabilities and broad commercial expertise. We have also forged close ties with high quality law firms around the world, blending local knowledge with global savvy for clients in over 100 countries.
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.
250+ PARTNERS
11 OFFICES
45+ LANGUAGES SPOKEN BY OUR PEOPLE
Offices in Al Khobar, Athens, Dubai, Hong Kong, London, Madrid, Paris, Riyadh, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore and associated office in Guangzhou.
Our brand strengths:
- GO FAR, GO TOGETHER
- EXPERTS IN MORE THAN LAW
- CAN DO PERSONALITIES
- ALWAYS READY
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