Corporate law

Corporate lawyers provide a wide range of transactional and advisory services to, and in relation to, companies across a number of markets and industry sectors. Often clients are major companies or financial institutions, which can sometimes mean that corporate lawyers find themselves working on deals that attract national media attention.

A corporate law solicitor's work

Work can include advising on corporate finance and securities transactions (listing companies on stock exchanges and raising funds on such exchanges), mergers and acquisitions (buying and selling companies or businesses, and assets of companies), private equity and venture capital transactions (raising funds privately) and strategic alliances (joint ventures between different companies).

Corporate lawyers will also provide general advice on forming companies and how they should operate. Their work is to advise on all aspects of a corporate transaction, including structuring the deal and drafting the relevant agreements. They will also work closely with lawyers in other departments in the firm as other disciplines will normally be involved in a corporate transaction. For example, on an acquisition of a company the corporate lawyers may advise on the structure and principal acquisition documents but will, depending on the nature of the business and assets of the company to be acquired, need to work closely with lawyers in, amongst others, the property, employment, tax, finance and competition departments.

Corporate work can involve an international dimension if the target company has assets overseas so there are opportunities for travel abroad. This area of law is a relatively consistent practice area although there may be economic cycles during which one aspect of the practice is more buoyant than others.

Is corporate law recession-proof?

Corporate finance transactions have been affected, with a reduced number of companies listing and raising money on stock exchanges. Mergers and acquisitions have also been affected due to limited funding availability, but there has been an increase in corporate restructuring work as companies find new ways to operate in the challenging financial climate.

What skills do corporate law solicitors need?

• Attention to detail.
• Technical ability.
• A confident and outgoing nature.
• The ability to work in a team and work closely with colleagues in other departments.
• Tenacity.

As a corporate law trainee

Trainees can expect to be involved in all aspects of corporate work although their level of involvement will depend upon the nature of the transaction. The transactions that trainees can expect to be involved in will vary depending on the firm they choose: trainees who work in smaller firms may encounter a greater number of transactions than those who choose the ‘top-end’ firms, which tend to concentrate on fewer but larger transactions. However, whatever the size or type of firm a trainee joins, typical tasks will include assisting with the formation of new companies, drafting corporate resolutions, data management on large acquisitions, assisting with verification of corporate finance documents (checking that statements contained in a document to be issued to the public are correct) and attending meetings with clients.

Types of law practised

• Company.
• Contract.
• Securities/financial services.
• Tort.

About the author

CHRISTINA HOWARD is a partner in the international corporate group at WATSON, FARLEY & WILLIAMS LLP. Christina graduated from the University of Birmingham with a degree in law with French.