Associate - Charity and Governance

Associate/Senior Associate – Charity Governance and Commercial

Hours Full‑time, 9:30am – 5.30pm (open to part time)

Department Charity

Are you a solicitor with experience in charity, corporate, or commercial law, seeking a meaningful and rewarding career? Join our highly regarded Charity and Not‑for‑Profit team and help make a real difference.

This is an excellent opportunity to take on a broad, stimulating and varied role. You will support charities of all sizes to meet their legal and regulatory obligations, acting as a trusted advisor on strategic governance and commercial matters. Your work will include:

• Establishing new charities and drafting or updating governing documents
• Advising on company and charity law
• Supporting charity restructures, mergers and in corporations
• Providing guidance on commercial contracts, including brand licences and fundraising agreements

The role is genuinely diverse and would suit someone who is enthusiastic about expanding their expertise across a wide range of legal areas.

You will be part of a close and collaborative team. One of our three governance partners will act as your supervisor, but you will work closely with colleagues across the team – including specialists in property, data protection and employment. You will be encouraged to take ownership of matters, manage your own workload, and build strong client relationships.

We expect the role to suit someone with 4-6+ years’ PQE, but we have some flexibility around this. We welcome applications from candidates with a range of backgrounds. This includes:

• Lawyers in private practice
• Those returning from a career break
• Lawyers with relevant in‑house experience
• Individuals who have come to law as a second career

While previous experience advising charities is beneficial, it is not essential. What matters most is an interest in the charity and not‑for‑profit sector, a proactive and curious approach to learning, and enthusiasm for getting involved in business development.

Our team is recognised as one of the leading charity practices in the UK, consistently ranked in The Legal 500 and Chambers UK. We work with a wide variety of clients – from some of the country’s best‑known charities to innovative start‑ups, philanthropists and corporate foundations – and we have particular strength in international work.

We are a team of 18 lawyers and one trainee, all dedicated exclusively to charities and not‑for‑profit organisations. Our combined expertise spans governance, commercial, property, intellectual property, data protection, employment, and safeguarding.

Russell‑Cooke was named Law Firm of the Year:
The Independents at The Lawyer Awards in 2025.

Our lawyers are rounded professional advisers with strong commercial awareness and a commitment to outstanding client service. All lawyers benefit from our cohort‑based career development programme, which supports cross‑firm collaboration and helps you build your internal network.

As you move through each career stage, you will have access to tailored training designed to support your development and progression.

We offer competitive salaries and a generous package of benefits.

We welcome direct applications. If you would like any further information about the firm, please contact a member of the HR team.

We have a diverse workforce and aim to attract high‑calibre applicants that reflect the demography of our geographical location and client base. Individuals will be employed solely on merit and the requirement of the position. No applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of sex, race, marital status, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or religion. Reasonable adjustments will be made to eliminate or reduce disadvantage.