About the Role
Leading Mid-Sized Firm | Corporate/Commercial Partner | ManchesterA rare opportunity to build and lead the Manchester corporate/commercial practice of a long-established, full-service UK firm, drawing on an existing client base of entrepreneurs, overseas investors, and growing businesses while collaborating closely with highly rated property, litigation, and private client teams.The Firm This is a well-established UK law firm with offices across the South East, North West, and South West, plus active international desks serving clients across multiple jurisdictions. For over 75 years it has advised companies, financial institutions, governments, HNW individuals, and overseas investors. The firm is recognised by Legal 500 and is known for being relationship-led, responsive, and commercially pragmatic.The culture balances ambition with approachability. The firm promotes from within, rewards initiative, and values genuine collaboration across practice groups. With recent strategic investment in its corporate/commercial offering, including the appointment of a new head of department, the firm is actively committed to expanding this practice, and Manchester is a key part of that plan.The Practice The corporate/commercial team provides comprehensive advice on mergers and acquisitions, private equity, shareholder arrangements, corporate restructuring, joint ventures, and a broad range of commercial contracts. The team works closely with the firm's standout property and litigation departments, creating a steady stream of cross-referral work and a client base that is unusually broad for a firm of this size.Clients include owner-managed businesses, international entrepreneurs, property developers, financial institutions, and high-net-worth individuals, many with multi-jurisdictional interests. The work is varied, commercially sharp, and often involves a blend of transactional, advisory, and dispute-adjacent matters.The Role You will establish and lead the corporate/commercial practice in Manchester. This is a strategic growth role, not a backfill. You will build your own client following while tapping into existing relationships and cross-referral networks from the firm's London and South West offices, as well as its strong property and litigation teams already active in the North West.You will advise on the full range of corporate and commercial matters, take a lead role in business development, and recruit and develop a team over time. You will work closely with the head of corporate/commercial and other partners to shape the direction of the national practice. The Ideal CandidateExperienced corporate/commercial solicitor (England & Wales) with sufficient PQE to step into a partnership role, or an established Partner seeking a platform with greater autonomy and growth potentialStrong technical grounding across M&A, private equity, joint ventures, and commercial contractsA portable practice or demonstrable ability to generate work and build relationships in the North West marketAn entrepreneurial, client-focused mindset, comfortable with business development and networkingA collaborative leader who values cross-team working and developing junior talentExperience or interest in working with international clients, property-connected corporate work, or owner-managed businesses is advantageousWhat's on OfferThe opportunity to build and lead a corporate/commercial practice from a credible Manchester baseImmediate access to a warm referral network from highly active property, litigation, and private client teamsFull backing from a firm committed to strategic growth, with the autonomy to shape your practiceA progressive, people-focused culture that values long-term client relationships and personal developmentCompetitive remuneration and benefits, structured to reward growth and contributionApply now for a confidential conversation.