We are Eversheds Sutherland, a global law firm, with 5,000+ colleagues in more than 30 countries. We’re full service with deep niche and sector experience. Whatever challenge, wherever in the world, we’re equipped and ready to meet it. We live our values, we’re purposeful and purpose-led. So although the world is fast-moving and rapidly changing, we see it as a place where everyone can thrive. We’re ambitious for our clients, our communities – and for you. Whether you’re starting out on your career or well established, whether you’re a lawyer or in business services. If you’re looking for what’s next, we are too.

What to expect

As a lawyer, you enjoy a variety of work: regional to international and across practice groups. With us, you grow your global mindset. You’re encouraged to put ideas into action and there’s always something new and different to get involved in. We see the fast-moving world as a place where we can all thrive and succeed. We’re excited for what’s next, so with us, you can be too.

Our team

MLS is a novel and pretty unique arrangement for the provision of legal services. In April 2018, Eversheds Sutherland won, via a competitive tender process, a multi-year managed legal services contract with a utilities client and took over the existing legal services team (On-Site Team) from the client’s former managed legal service provider. The team is involved in advising the client on a very wide range of day-to-day legal matters including competition, projects and planning, 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 and Paralegals and a small management team. The team is embedded within the client, sitting in the client’s head office in Reading alongside the client’s retained legal function. The On-Site Team is split into 6 practice teams:

• Property
• Commercial
• Litigation
• Construction
• Operations and Regulatory
• Competition

Role and key responsibilities

The Commercial team consists of 5 lawyers (part-time and full-time roles). We have a vacancy due to the departure of one of the lawyers within the team. We are looking to recruit a replacement Commercial lawyer. The role will report to the Principal Lawyer within the Commercial team. The team works 2-3 days in the office per week and the rest of the time remotely.

• Providing clear and concise legal advice and support to the client, having regard to the client’s business objectives, and delivering practical, creative and commercial solutions and value within budget and time constraints, whilst ensuring that risks are understood and mitigated.
• Taking instructions from the client and advising on the law and legal issues.
• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating commercial agreements and other legal documents tailored to the client’s needs.
• Attending meetings and negotiations as legal adviser with opposing parties.
• Ensuring, as far as possible, that the client’s governance processes are observed as regards commercial matters with which the commercial solicitor deals.
• Assisting with the resolution of disputes concerning commercial contracts.
• Monitoring the suitability of the client’s contract precedents, processes and procedures and amending them and providing training as necessary.
• Managing a caseload and, where appropriate, coordinating work allocation with wider Off-Site ES (for which the commercial solicitor will provide oversight), as well as acting as a point of reference to assist with queries.
• Identifying ways to add value and improve internal efficiencies, including process improvements.
• Supervising and delegating work to paralegals and support staff as appropriate.
• Liaising with professionals and other operatives in both the client’s business and externally.
• 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 commercial 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.
• Complying with all service level agreements and KPIs, including accurately recording time and meeting reporting obligations.
• Obtaining regular client feedback.

Skills and experience

We are looking for:

• Qualified solicitor with 1-6 years’ post qualification experience (PQE) in commercial law.
• Knowledge of the water industry would be useful but is not essential.
• In-house experience useful (but not essential); we will consider candidates with experience working for public authorities (e.g. local councils) with demonstrable experience of public procurement.
• Experience of drafting, reviewing and negotiating a broad range of legal documents.
• A detailed knowledge and understanding of:
  • the applicable UK procurement regime;
  • various types of contracts (including operation and maintenance, goods, services, outsourcing and consultancy). Familiarity with the full range of IT contracts (including current software licensing and software/ infrastructure as a service models) would be particularly useful;
  • contracting structures;
  • contract provisions;
  • risk transfer;
  • liability and indemnity;
  • limitations;
  • a variety of approaches to payment, risk and reward; and data protection.
• A working knowledge and understanding of:
  • bonds and guarantees;
  • contract disputes & dispute resolution;
  • joint ventures;
  • governance advice;
  • corporate structures and procedures.
• An awareness and understanding of:
  • general aspects of securitisation;
  • consumer law;
• Ability to work alone with confidence and self-discipline, taking ownership of tasks and able to demonstrate sound judgment and decision making skills.
• 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.
• Use of appropriate, professional and client-friendly language.
• Good relationship builder with strong interpersonal skills and highly team-oriented.

What’s in it for you?

At Eversheds Sutherland, we provide benefits focused on looking after you: your development, your performance, your financial future and your health, as well as providing the opportunity to make a contribution to the world.

• 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 programs
• 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 and 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. We have a strong belief in collaboration and teamwork. Sharing ideas, asking questions, solving challenges and meeting our clients’ goals: together.

We want all our people to thrive at work and reach their full potential and we work hard to continue to build a diverse and inclusive culture, monitor and report on our progress and impact, and develop 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.

We want you to perform at your best during our recruitment process. If there is any adjustment or support you need, please contact us so we can discuss how we can best assist you.

For you, for your success. And for what’s next.