Senior Lawyer - Environment, Health and Safety (Contentious) - Leeds/Manchester/Newcastle

EMEA
Litigation & Dispute Mgmt
Leeds
Full Time

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

The Environment, Health and Safety team is publicly recognised as a top tier, market leading practice which helps many of the world’s leading organisations through difficult times. Whether responding to a crisis as it emerges, dealing with regulators on site or representing duty holders in Coroner’s Courts, Magistrates’ Courts, we have it covered. Over the last decade we have developed a number of compliance products, deep diving system integrity issues and building robust EHS management systems for clients around the world.

We conduct due diligence for our clients when they buy and sell companies, offer advice on product safety, and, increasingly help clients in the ESG space. The work is fast paced, interesting and with a real human dimension. We love what we do and that shows in the team dynamic.

The EHS team is part of the same business group as our Inquiries and Investigations team so there will be cross-over opportunities to work on cases of national significance.

We are seeking a talented and motivated individual to join the team as a senior lawyer. We can train you on the law, but we can’t train attitude. The successful applicants will therefore be hungry to learn (additional qualifications will be supported), can’t wait to build strong client relationships and are determined to succeed. The right applicant will have the desire to grow into the team and develop their career with us over the medium and long term.

Location can be reasonably flexible for the right candidate, to be based out of one of our offices in either Leeds, Manchester or Newcastle although travel is a fundamental part of the role. A driving license is an advantage.

Role and key responsibilities

  • Provide strategic and commercial legal advice on health, safety, investigation and environmental mandates, supporting the 4 partners in the EHS and Inquiries team
  • As an integral part of the team, you will handle your own matters with supervision
  • Supervise junior members of the team
  • Be pro-active and willing to get involved in business development, training (both internal and to clients/potential clients) and contribute to the strategic direction of the team
  • You will have access to sector specialists and be expected to work with these contacts across the firm to help develop growth areas for the team
  • Develop the business through networking and client development
  • Improve your own skill set through completion of relevant additional qualifications
  • You will work on high profile, complex cases

Skills and experience

We are looking for:

We are seeking applications from candidates looking to succeed and progress their career to become market leading EHS practitioners in due course.

  • 5 plus years’ PQE experience
  • Strong technical skills, commercial acumen and excellent academic qualifications
  • Ability to analyse complex factual situations and distil the key issues clearly and concisely and persuade others through logical reasoning
  • You will provide a first rate client service both internally and externally
  • Evidence of exposure to clients/counsel/experts is desirable
  • Experience in Safety or Environmental law is desirable
  • Exposure to business development activities, training courses and a good understanding of how to win work would be desirable
  • ‘Can do’ attitude and prepared to go the extra mile to ensure we are able to meet our clients’ needs

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 share in the success of the firm, 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.

This opportunity is closed to applications.