Join to apply for the Associate/Senior Associate - Operations & Regulatory - Reading - 2PQE+ - 2 roles available role at Eversheds Sutherland
We are Eversheds Sutherland, a global law firm with more than 5,000 people across over 30 countries. We’re full‑service with deep niche and sector experience. Whatever challenge we face, we’re equipped to meet it. We live our values and are purposeful and purpose‑led. When the world moves fast, we see it as a place where everyone can thrive.
What To Expect
As a lawyer you’ll work on a variety of regional, national and international matters across practice groups. You’ll grow a global mindset, put ideas into action and be involved in fresh challenges. We are excited about the future – and with us, you will be too.
Our Team
The MLS is a novel arrangement for the provision of legal services. Eversheds Sutherland services a multi‑year managed legal services contract with a utilities client. The team advises on daily legal matters including competition, projects, regulation, construction, real estate, commercial contracts, tax, disputes, energy, employment, and health and safety.
The MLS On‑Site Team
The On‑Site Team currently consists of around 20 solicitors, barristers and paralegals and a small management team. The team is embedded within the client’s head office in Central Reading alongside the client’s retained legal function. The On‑Site Team is split into six practice teams:
* Property
* Commercial
* Litigation
* Construction
* Operations and Regulatory
* Competition
Role and Key Responsibilities
* Advising on regulatory matters relating to water and waste such as water fittings, water resources, street works, charges schemes and statutory works powers.
* Liaising with subject‑matter experts in the MLS team or elsewhere within ES on environmental permitting, environmental protection, planning, property, competition law, construction, procurement and commercial.
* Being responsible for your own caseload and reporting to the client under the supervision and management of the O&R Principal.
* Supporting the other O&R team members with their caseload where required.
* Taking instructions from the client, gathering information and providing clear and concise legal advice in writing and in meetings.
* Identifying ways to add value and improve internal efficiencies, including process improvements.
* Contributing to the effective operations of the wider MLS team, MLS operations and deliverables under the MLS contract with the client.
* Complying with all service level agreements (SLAs) and KPIs, including accurately recording time and meeting reporting obligations.
* Being responsible for the allocation, in line with relevant SLAs, of new O&R matters which are submitted through the client instruction portal.
* Drafting regulatory documents.
* Keeping up to date with all relevant legal, legislative, regulatory and industry developments relevant to the legal specialism, informing and updating the team, and providing proactive updates to facilitate the client’s operational activities.
* Designing and delivering regulatory law training to the client’s business and management teams.
* Undertaking a range of continuing professional development (CPD) activities ensuring efficient knowledge transfer across the legal team.
Skills and Experience
* 2 qualified solicitors or barristers with 2‑3+ years’ post‑qualification experience (PQE) of working within a regulated sector. We are keen to hear from candidates who are bright, keen and able to pick up new skills quickly, so even if you do not quite meet the minimum PQE (or equivalent experience), please do not let that put you off applying. Knowledge of the water industry or wider utilities sector would be useful but is not essential.
* In‑house experience useful (but not essential).
* Knowledge and understanding of the legislation, licences, codes of practice, rules, guidance and case law that governs the operational running of a regulated utility company, including, but not limited to:
o Water Industry Act 1991 and historic legislation relating to the regulation of the water industry;
o New Roads and Street Works Act 1991;
o Environmental Protection Acts / Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016;
o Water Resources Act 1991;
o Agreements and codes governing arrangements between wholesalers and retailers and agreements between undertakers for bulk services;
o Rules governing charges and charges schemes.
* An awareness and understanding of general aspects of securitisation, consumer law, and competition law.
* Ability to use appropriate, professional and client‑friendly language – both written and spoken.
* Ability to work alone with confidence and self‑discipline, taking ownership of tasks when instructed by the Principal and able to demonstrate sound judgment and decision‑making skills.
* Capable of working on a number of different matters at any one time and adapting to changes in workload capacity.
* Willing to participate in legal discussions with the O&R team members and demonstrate ability to learn from peers.
* Willing to learn a complicated and dynamic business, understand the client, its customers and the regulatory regime in which the business operates.
* Eagerness to build expertise in new areas of law or technical understanding.
* Experience of drafting, reviewing and discussing key legal documents.
* Good relationship builder with strong interpersonal and communication skills and highly team‑oriented.
* Flexible working “can do” attitude, adaptability to change and ability to respond to competing deadlines.
* Organised and good at managing time effectively, using appropriate systems and processes.
What’s in it for you?
At Eversheds Sutherland, we provide benefits focused on looking after you: your development, performance, financial future and health, as well as the opportunity to make a contribution to the world.
Other things you can expect from us
* We’re fair, transparent and equitable.
* We reward alignment to our values, going above and beyond and your individual performance.
* We support flexible ways of working through our remote working policy and commitment to flexible, agile and hybrid ways of working.
* We support your health and performance through our dental, healthcare and wellness support.
* We support everything you are and all you bring through our powerful commitment to diversity and inclusion.
* We provide a platform for your career, whatever your ambitions, through our structured professional and personal training, mentoring and development programmes.
* We provide experience and opportunity through international and cross‑function exposure.
* We provide an opportunity to give back through our pro bono work and community engagement.
* We help you plan ahead through retirement planning, insurance and assurance.
Diversity & Inclusion
At Eversheds Sutherland, “Inclusive” is a core business value. We bring together different skillsets, global mindsets and approaches. We foster diversity of thought and the freedom to put ideas into action. We have an inherent respect for the individual and a strong belief in collaboration and teamwork. Sharing ideas, asking questions, solving challenges and meeting our clients’ goals is how we work together.
We want all our people to thrive at work and reach their full potential. We work hard to continue building a diverse and inclusive culture, monitoring and reporting our progress and impact, and developing our approach. This is reflected in our policies, systems and processes and in our work with diversity membership organisations.
Many of our people work flexibly in some way and we are open to considering how we can accommodate flexible working arrangements alongside role requirements. If this is important to you, please talk to us about it during the recruitment process.
If there is any adjustment or support you need during our recruitment process, please let us know so we can discuss how we can best assist you.
Seniority level: Mid‑Senior level
Employment type: Contract
Job function: Management and Manufacturing (Law Practice)
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