Associate - Environment, Health and Safety - Manchester or Leeds

at  Eversheds Sutherland

EMEA

Practice group
Litigation & Dispute Mgmt
Office
Manchester
Position type
Full Time
Summary
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.

OUR TEAM

The EHS team is externally recognised as a top tier, market leading practice which supports many of the world’s leading organisations through difficult times. The Environmental part of the team is regarded as an eminent practice with international capabilities. It advises an array of blue chip clients on a full range of environmental matters, including contentious, advisory and transactional matters. While the team is based in Manchester, its clients are both UK and internationally based corporates with an emphasis on chemicals, industrials and manufacturing. The work is fast paced, interesting and with a real human dimension.

Whilst the team provides advice across the full range of environmental issues, key work areas include:

• Chemical compliance (including as a result of Brexit) – REACH, CLP, Biocides
• Environmental permitting – IED, MCP, Environmental Permitting Regulations – both in GB and across the EU
• Waste – waste management, classification and end of waste issues
• Water regulation
• Environmental investigations and enforcement
• Environment Act
• ESG, climate change and sustainability
• Producer Responsibility – WEEE, RoHS, Packaging, EPR
• Site decommissioning, site remediation
• Transaction/project-related risk assessment and legal due diligence

We are seeking a talented and motivated individual to join the team as a qualified lawyer. We can train you on the law, but we can’t train attitude. The successful applicant will therefore be hungry to learn, can’t wait to build strong client relationships and be determined to succeed.
Our preferred location is Manchester, but we can be flexible and consider Leeds for the right candidate. Some travel around our UK offices is a fundamental part of the role.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

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

• 0-6 years PQE experience
• Strong legal research skills
• Good communication and influencing skills
• Strong drafting skills
• An enthusiasm for and interest in environmental law/ESG
• Commercial and practical attitude
• Excellent academic qualifications, with a degree classification of 2:1 or higher
• Ability to provide a first rate client service both internally and externally and to build strong relationships
• Experience in Environmental law is desirable
• Exposure to business development activities would be desirable
• ‘Can do’ attitude and prepared to go the extra mile to ensure we are able to meet our clients’ needs
• Enjoy team work but equally able to manage your own matters efficiently

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.
Job description
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Converted File Associate EHS -

• You will provide environmental and health & safety advice on real estate and corporate transactions
• You will work with international environmental colleagues on multi-jurisdictional transactions and projects – often managing large projects providing fully integrated practical advice through a single point of contact
• You will work with other members of the environmental team and also with other teams such as real estate, planning, corporate and health and safety
• The focus of the role is environmental work and this will include both non-contentious advisory work, transactional support and contentious environmental work
• You will find the work varied and challenging, for example advising clients on REACH and biocides legislation, EU ETS and producer responsibility legislation
• You will also draft and negotiate environmental provisions allocating responsibility for potential environmental liability in transactions
• You will also assist clients in regulatory investigations and enforcement action brought by the EA and other environmental regulators.
• You will also be involved in training, both externally for clients and internally for colleagues
• You will be pro-active and willing to get involved in business development