Corporate Associate – South West (Bristol/Cheltenham / Hybrid)
If you’re an Associate looking for high-quality corporate work, genuine responsibility, and the chance to help build something, this is a role worth exploring.
We’re growing our South West Corporate team and are looking for a 3+ PQE Associate to join a close-knit and ambitious group that is already making a significant impact across the region.
The team
Our South West Corporate team is a genuinely collaborative group of 11 fee earners, including 3 partners, working on a broad range of corporate matters for businesses of all sizes, from owner-managed companies and fast-growth ventures through to larger corporates and institutional clients.
Across HCR, our corporate practice is recognised for delivering commercially focused advice with strong relationships at its core, and for combining regional strength with City-quality capability.
What makes this team different is its trajectory. There is real momentum, and you’ll be joining at a point where growth is translating into opportunity.
The role
This position will see you working closely with Rachael Reeves, who leads the South West Corporate team and is actively building her presence and client base in and around Bristol.
You’ll be involved in a wide range of corporate work, with the opportunity to take ownership of transactions, develop client relationships, and contribute to the continued growth of the team.
There is no “siloed” structure here you’ll have the space to broaden your experience, work directly with partners, and play a visible role in the team’s success.
What we’re looking for
You’ll ideally be at least 3 years’ PQE, with solid experience in corporate law and the confidence to manage your own matters as well as work as part of a wider team.
Just as importantly, you’ll be someone who enjoys building relationships both internally and with clients and who is motivated by being part of a growing and evolving team.
Why this opportunity stands out
This is not a “steady state” role. It’s a chance to join a team with real momentum, where your contribution will be recognised and where there is clear scope to shape your own progression.
You’ll be working alongside a partner with a growing footprint in the Bristol market, which means exposure to new clients, new opportunities, and the chance to build your own profile in the region.
At HCR, we are committed to creating an environment where you can develop at pace, with the support, mentoring and flexibility needed to do your best work. Hybrid working is a natural part of how we operate, giving you autonomy over how you structure your week.
The bigger picture
HCR is a Top 50 UK law firm with a strong growth story and a genuine focus on its people. We invest in our lawyers, encourage collaboration across offices, and provide the platform for you to build the career you want — not just follow a prescribed path.
Benefits of working with us:
- Private Medical Insurance
- Sight tests / Glasses discounts
- Bonus scheme
- Electric vehicle scheme
- International secondments for 0-5 PQE
- Scottish Widows Pension Scheme
- 28 days annual leave (plus public holidays)
- Happy People / Perks at Work benefits portal
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Life Assurance
- 1/3 gym membership contribution
- Flu vaccinations
Is HCR the smart move for you?
HCR suits people who love a challenge and want to work in an environment where careers thrive on the back of hard work and personal merit. Our people enjoy feeling part of something bigger than themselves, and whilst our clients drive our development, it is our people who bring their energy, enthusiasm, and entrepreneurial mindsets together to solve problems and help our clients succeed.
Why HCR people love their jobs
Our people tell us they enjoy working on good quality, interesting matters from a wide variety of our clients, because they get the experience they want to develop their careers. We will give you responsibility early, the mandate to make things happen and we’ll back your good ideas. Our “Passion for People” lives and breathes every day throughout the firm as our peoples’ energy and sense of fun create a warm environment in which to thrive.
What career progression will HCR offer you?
HCR’s growth constantly creates opportunities for people who want to go places and make a difference, your career plan can become part of our growth plan. At HCR you can expect to work with friendly, energetic, ambitious people, who love getting stuck into a client problem, and enjoy celebrating a good outcome. Our people value the sense of community provided by the individual personality of each office and the collegiate approach across all our service and sector teams.
What does HCR believe, achieve and stand for?
As a Times Best Law firm, among the UK Top 50, we provide the full range of services that you would expect to organisations, business leaders and individuals. However, in our mission to give everyone the opportunity to experience a different kind of legal service we take an entrepreneurial approach. We’re flexible and responsive to the needs of our clients, delivering the best outcomes for them. We have more than 1000 lawyers and support staff, including more than 180 partners, and have been awarded the Law Society’s Lexcel quality mark in recognition of our compliance and client care standards.
With 13 offices in England and Wales our well-established presence stretches from west to east, ensuring clients can access a full-service legal offering no matter where they’re located. We’ve expanded significantly across all our regions, and are well-respected as a regional firm with a strong London and international presence.
With solid connections in the communities we work in, and a track record of delivering legal advice to businesses and individuals throughout the areas we base ourselves in, our clients continue to value our approach to providing legal advice, in the way they need, when they need it.
As HCR is an equal opportunities employer, we don’t just accept differences, we celebrate them. We want to attract a diverse and ambitious workforce that reflects all backgrounds and skills to create a workplace that is supportive and inclusive, recognises and nurtures talent, and which works together to achieve the best outcome for our clients. We are privileged to be an armed forces-friendly organisation.
We also want you to achieve your absolute best during the recruitment process. Please let us know of any changes we can make at any point that will help support your application. If this opportunity sounds of interest to you, please make an application and submit your CV.
A note for recruitment agencies – The HCR Resourcing Team is responsible for recruitment across the firm, and where possible will use direct hiring methods. We do work with a Preferred Supplier List, and where appropriate, we will release vacancies to those agencies who we deem most appropriate to support us. Only those agencies will be invited to submit candidates via our recruitment portal. Any speculative or unsolicited CVs sent to any employee or Partner of HCR will not be considered an introduction, and no fees will be applicable. Furthermore, we retain the right to pursue these candidates without query of ownership
