Senior Regulatory Lawyer (Senior / Principal Associate) - Water Industry

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.

The Eversheds Sutherland Managed Legal Service

MLS is a novel and fairly 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 Operations and Regulatory team (the “O&R team”) consists of 3 lawyers and we are looking to recruit a replacement for our Principal Regulatory Lawyer who will be leaving in August 2024. The role will report to the Head of Legal Service Delivery for MLS.

We are open to location but the the logistics would need to be agreed as some presence in Reading is required if not located in or close to Reading.

Key responsibilities include:

• Acting as subject matter expert for regulatory matters relating to water and waste, water fittings, water resources, street works, charges schemes and drought (including temporary usage bans).
• Liaising with subject matter experts in the MLS team or elsewhere within ES on environmental permitting, environmental protection, planning, property, competition law, construction, procurement and commercial.
• Managing your own caseload and reporting to the client and the Head of Legal Service Delivery on the progress of cases being handled by the O&R team.
• Supporting the other O&R team members with their caseload where required.
• Managing the lawyers within the O&R team, offering guidance on the conduct of cases and getting regular updates on the progress of these. Setting individual and team objectives, monitoring performance, conducting regular performance reviews (ES uses a “check in” process) and looking after development for individual team members.
• Taking instructions from the client, gathering information and providing clear and concise legal advice in writing and in meetings.
• Attending meetings and negotiations as legal adviser with opposing parties.
• Identifying ways to add value and improve internal efficiencies, including process improvements.
• Actively contributing to the management of the wider MLS team, MLS operations and deliverables under the MLS contract with the client, including working with the Head of Legal Service Delivery (and Deputy) and other Principal Lawyers.
• Complying with all service level agreements (SLAs) and KPIs, including accurately recording time and meeting reporting obligations.
• Being responsible for the allocation, in line with relevant SLAs, of new O&R matters which are submitted through the client instruction portal.
• Drafting regulatory documents.
• 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 regulatory 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.

Skills and experience

• Qualified solicitor with at least 8 years’ post-qualification experience (PQE) of working within a regulated sector, ideally within the water and sewage sector.
• Experience of working in an in-house environment and of working with all levels of seniority within a business would be beneficial.
• Detailed knowledge and understanding of the legislation, licences, codes of practice, rules, guidance and case law that governs the operational running of a regulated utility company, including, but not limited to:
• Water Industry Act 1991 and historic legislation relating to the regulation of the water industry;
• New Roads and Street Works Act 1991;
• Environmental Protection Act 1991 / Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016;
• Water Resources Act 1991;
• Agreements and codes governing arrangements between wholesalers and retailers and agreements between undertakers for bulk services; and
• Rules governing charges and charges schemes.
• An awareness and understanding of:
• general aspects of securitisation;
• consumer law; and
• competition law
• Capable of working independently and managing a small and busy team.
• Organised and good at managing time effectively, using appropriate systems and processes.
• Use of appropriate, professional and client-friendly language.
• Ability to work alone with confidence and self-discipline, taking ownership of tasks and able to demonstrate sound judgment and decision making skills.
• Ability to learn a complicated and dynamic business, understand the client, its customers and the regulatory regime in which the business operates and to proactively advise on a combination of legal and business issues.
• Experience of drafting, reviewing and negotiating key legal documents.
• 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
• Our people share in the success of the firm, and we align reward to our values, whilst recognising 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.