Specialising Within Corporate Law: Skills and Opportunities

Corporate Law jobs retain their popularity on TotallyLegal, with the month-on-month and year-on-year application rate steadily increasing over time. The world of corporate law, whether you’re seeking corporate lawyer jobs, or in-house counsel corporate jobs, offers a broad spectrum of opportunities. Specialising in mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property, tax law, bankruptcy, employment law, or environmental law, among others, the realm of corporate law allows aspiring and qualified lawyers to align their interests and expertise with a strong niche in the legal market.

So, what is a corporate lawyer? What opportunities are available to corporate lawyers? And what skills are required to achieve these goals?

• What is a corporate lawyer?

  As defined in our ‘Corporate Lawyer Job Description’, a corporate lawyer, ‘whether working in an international law firm and advising corporate giants on multi-million-pound acquisitions or assisting an SME fintech start-up with contract negotiations’ will focus on a ‘core remit of advising businesses on their legal rights, responsibilities, and regulations.’

  This provides you with the opportunity to work with clients of varying sizes and scales, locations and specialities, from start-ups and privately held owner managed businesses, to PLCs, investment management firms and global blue-chip organisations.

• What kind of opportunities does corporate law bring to the table?

  The legal landscape of corporate law is constantly evolving due to changes in laws, regulations, and market conditions - this dynamic environment not only keeps the work interesting for those who thrive on change and enjoy staying abreast of the latest developments, yet creates intellectual stimulation and challenge. With corporate law often involving complex transactions, intricate legal issues, and innovative problem-solving, lawyers in this field can engage in intellectually stimulating work that requires a deep understanding of both legal principles and business practices.

  With strong intellectual challenge and responsibility, comes:

    •  

  High earning potential: the average salary for a corporate lawyer sits within the mid-level to highest paid professionals in the legal field. Despite witnessing an est. £12,000 salary drop last year, according to our salary survey, the average salary still stands at a respectable £60,535. The complexity of corporate transactions and the value they bring to clients mean that lawyers can command high fees for their services. This high earning potential is a significant draw for many entering the profession.

    •  

  Impact on business and economy: corporate lawyers play an essential role in shaping the business landscape. They help companies navigate legal requirements, facilitate mergers and acquisitions, protect intellectual property, and ensure compliance with regulations. Their work has a direct impact on the success of businesses and, by extension, the economy at large.

    •  

  Global opportunities: many corporate law firms operate on a global scale, offering lawyers the chance to work on international transactions and even relocate abroad. This global perspective is attractive for those interested in international business and cross-border legal issues.

    •  

  Networking and professional growth: working in corporate law provides numerous opportunities for networking with other professionals, including lawyers, business leaders, and government officials. These connections can be invaluable for professional growth and career advancement.

    •  

  Contribution to innovation and progress: corporate or company lawyers often assist companies in protecting their intellectual property and navigating regulatory landscapes to bring new products and services to market. By doing so, they contribute to innovation and progress across various industries.

• What skills does a corporate lawyer need?

  While many skills are universally valuable across various areas of law, certain skills are particularly crucial or uniquely emphasised in corporate law due to the nature of the work and the environment in which corporate lawyers operate. Discover the core skills that are especially pertinent to corporate law, distinguishing it from other legal fields:

    •  

  Business acumen: as a corporate lawyer, you need a strong understanding of business principles, financial statements, market dynamics, and corporate strategy more so than lawyers in other fields. This knowledge enables you to better understand your clients' objectives, provide strategic legal advice, and anticipate issues that may arise in the context of business operations and transactions.

    •  

  Understanding of corporate finance and accounting: a deeper knowledge of finance and accounting is often required in corporate law. Lawyers working on mergers and acquisitions, securities, or financial regulations need to understand financial documents, valuation methods, and the implications of financial decisions to effectively advise their clients.

    •  

  Negotiation skills: while negotiation is a valuable skill in many areas of law, it is particularly critical in corporate law. Company lawyers frequently negotiate deals, contracts, settlements, and agreements. The ability to negotiate effectively can have a significant impact on the outcome for the client, whether it involves mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, or contract negotiations.

    •  

  Transactional skills: corporate law is heavily transactional, involving complex deals that require a specific set of skills to structure, negotiate, and execute. This includes understanding how to draft and review contracts, conduct due diligence, manage transactional risks, and navigate the closing process of deals.

    •  

  Regulatory compliance: corporate lawyers must have a thorough understanding of the regulatory environment affecting their clients’ industries. This includes not only knowing current laws but also staying abreast of changes in regulations that could impact business operations or transactions. The emphasis on compliance and regulatory navigation is more pronounced in corporate law than in some other legal fields.

    •  

  Intellectual property management: in today’s digital and innovation-driven economy, managing intellectual property (IP) has become an essential aspect of corporate law. As a corporate lawyer, you must understand how to protect IP rights, navigate licensing agreements, and handle IP disputes in a way that aligns with the company's broader business strategies.

    •  

  Risk management: corporate lawyers play a crucial role in identifying potential legal risks in business operations and transactions and advising on how to mitigate those risks. This requires a proactive approach to foreseeing issues that may not be as prevalent in other areas of law where the focus may be more on resolving existing disputes rather than preventing future ones.

    •  

  Cross-border transaction skills: given the global nature of many corporations, corporate lawyers often deal with cross-border transactions that require knowledge of international law, foreign regulations, and cultural considerations. This global perspective is less common in fields like family law or criminal defence.

• Corporate Law jobs on TotallyLegal

  Interested in joining the field of corporate law? Sign up to the TotallyLegal job alerts to receive the latest corporate Law jobs directly to your inbox.

  Upload your CV to site to get headhunted for the latest advertised and non-advertised roles. We wish you the best of luck in your job search.

  Looking to hire a corporate lawyer? Advertise with us at TotallyLegal recruiter services.