NQ Associate - Commercial Energy Regulatory - Cardiff, Edinburgh or London

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, 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

Our Clean Energy & Energy Transition team is a market leading, multi-disciplinary team which acts on some of the most complex, strategic and high value energy and infrastructure transactions in domestic and international markets. Our team consists of two partners, a legal director, two senior associates and an associate who are located at our London and Cardiff offices. In the clean energy sector, we advise a range of clients as part of the clean energy transition.

The team’s clients include significant international clean energy developers and generators, major industrial power users, data centre developers and hyperscalers, sponsors, utilities, funds. and government bodies. This involves advising on all manner of commercial contracts (such as power purchase agreements) in the clean energy and grid sector with respect to all major technologies and power uses (including solar, offshore and onshore wind, nuclear, battery storage and hydrogen, as well as wider energy demand uses such as data centres).

As part of a full service clean energy offering, the team routinely advises clients on cutting edge regulatory matters which frequently arise in the fast-moving and ever-changing energy market such as nascent technology support mechanism (e.g. Contracts for Difference). Within the broader energy team at Eversheds Sutherland, we have over 120 lawyers covering the full life cycle of a project, from development, financing, construction, operation, re-financing and M&A.

The successful candidate will be joining a dynamic team, providing world class services to a range of high quality clients operating across a number of jurisdictions. We are looking for someone who strives to deliver client service excellence; who can handle pressure and enjoys making decisions that will have a real impact on the business. Our firm and our people are all about teamwork and we have an extremely collaborative atmosphere. You would be a crucial part of our team - you'll find the work stimulating, the atmosphere dynamic and the results highly satisfying.

The role:

Our energy team has a focus on clean energy and the energy transition including nuclear, battery storage and energy trading. As part of our team, you will provide strategic and transactional support to clients engaged in the clean energy transition and grid infrastructure environment. This includes advising a broad spectrum of stakeholders, from clean energy generators and developers to industrial-scale power offtakers.

Key responsibilities include:

• Supporting projects across all major clean energy technologies, such as solar, offshore and onshore wind, nuclear, battery storage, and hydrogen, as well as advising on energy demand-side applications including data centres.

• Drafting, negotiating, and advising on a wide range of commercial contracts within the clean energy and grid sectors, including power purchase agreements (PPAs).

• Delivering regulatory advice on emerging and complex issues in the fast-evolving energy market, including support mechanisms for nascent technologies (e.g. Contracts for Difference).

• Collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams as part of a full-service clean energy offering, ensuring our clients’ legal solutions are aligned with commercial and policy developments.

Our Clean Energy and Infrastructure team work closely with our Energy M&A team and deal with primarily regulatory, grid and other commercial aspects of energy projects (in the UK and internationally).

Candidates will demonstrate the ability to play a pivotal role in transactions with the opportunity to play a leading role in deals of varying sizes. You will be comfortable in drafting and negotiating a range of commercial agreements, whilst also be equally comfortable in researching and advising on embryonic areas within the energy sector (which will require a blend of both legal and commercial areas).

You will be required to contribute proactively and enthusiastically to our strategic objectives including via structured business development activities. You will also be expected to develop close working relationships with appropriate office contacts throughout the business both nationally and internationally.

The role will encompass a full remit of regulatory work including all aspects of client work and relationship management, client generation and business development. You will have the opportunity to leverage off Eversheds Sutherland’s unique selling points, including specialist sector expertise, global capability and a highly developed transaction management approach.

Skills and experience:

• We are looking for someone who is 0-2 PQE and could be right for 2025 Newly Qualified Solicitors
• You will have atleast 1 seat in commercial/commercial contracts and an interest in developing your experience in the energy sector
• You will be able to demonstrate a high level of technical skill and competence and have the ability to take into consideration the commercial impact of your advice when applying technical expertise to decisions.
• You will have the ability to manage a varied workload and deal with the competing demands of clients which arise from involvement in a number of separate transactions at once.
• You will be able to build great relationships with the colleagues you work with in other practice groups.
• Specific experience in clean energy, infrastructure and/data centre projects would be an advantage but is not a requirement for this role. International experience of Europe and Middle East would be an advantage.
• You will be able to demonstrate the delivery of excellent client care.
• Due to the nature of the work in this role, drive, enthusiasm and ability to work well as part of a team are vital.

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 & 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 what's next.