Senior Associate - International trade

We are Eversheds Sutherland, a global law firm, with 5,000+ colleagues in more than 30 countries. We are 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 are 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 are 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

Eversheds Sutherland’s award winning Competition, Trade & Foreign Investment team, provides advice on a very broad range of areas. The International Trade practice, which is the focus of this recruitment, covers primarily export controls, sanctions (economic and trade) and customs, but also anti-dumping and countervailing duty investigations, as well as a variety of regulatory matters. We provide strategic advice and representation on national and global matters on all areas of international trade law. As a senior associate in the team, you can expect to be involved in trade compliance investigations (internal and external), supporting clients in resolving complex compliance issues when engaging in international trade, assisting with product classification, liaising with competent authorities in relation to licensing arrangements, providing advice in relation to trade compliance audits, and rolling out bespoke trade compliance programmes to clients across a range of different sectors.

With lawyers throughout the UK, Asia, Europe and the US specialising in International Trade, we deliver a seamless, one-stop legal service – you will frequently be working with colleagues in other jurisdictions. Our team is growing and we have an opportunity for an experienced International Trade lawyer to the join the team.

In addition to our International Trade practice, the Competition, Trade & Foreign Investment group also advises clients on all areas of competition law, and provides strategic advice and clearance support relating to foreign investment controls. An international trade associate joining our team would also have the opportunity to work on these matters – foreign investment in particular – if that was of interest.

Role and key responsibilities

The team has ambitious growth plans and needs to find the right individual to help us capitalise on the increasing opportunities we are seeing from our international client base.

We would expect you to be responsible for relationships with key clients and mandates, and work closely with all UK competition partners as well as partners from our non-UK offices.

Skills and experience

We are looking for:

• 3 to 5 years’ PQE with a breadth of experience gained in a recognised International Trade practice.
• You will be used to playing a leading role on complex, high value international trade matters and be able to work independently when required and have had plenty of experience leading on communications with clients, counsel and experts.
• You will have plenty of experience of business development activities, a track record of profile building and winning work and an ambition to increase your skills and experience in this area.
• Key Competencies:
• You will have excellent drafting skills, as well as excellent academics and may have a post-graduate qualification in the field.
• To be successful, you have to be able to operate at a fast pace in a vibrant environment. You will have strong communication skills to build effective relationships with existing and new clients, and be able to cross sell clients to other teams or practice groups.
• You will be a team player and will be keen to invest time in all aspects of the business. You will understand the importance of the culture of the team and contribute positively to it
• You will help drive business development and will strive to understand clients’ needs and bring commercial awareness and a pragmatic approach to working with clients.

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.