THE ROLE

This is an Associate role within DLA Piper's "Tier 1" Technology, Data and Commercial Team.

The team works on high profile and complex mandates for both major users and suppliers of technology related services, as well as more general commercial work and large scale data protection and privacy matters. Clients range from major Government departments through to the larger retail and investment banks, airlines, retail groups, telcos, FTSE 100 companies and IT/outsourcing service providers.

The successful candidate would work directly with multiple partners within the group and would ideally be involved in a broad spread of work, including major outsourcing projects (both ITO and BPO), cloud services arrangements, commercial projects, data privacy and security advice and projects, and various IT, telco and technology related matters. The team works on an integrated basis across all of DLA Piper's UK offices, but this role would be situated within the Northwest team. Whilst the role will be based in either our Liverpool or Manchester office, it may also require travel to our other offices from time to time.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Working as part of our market leading team, candidates will enjoy a broad diet of work that will cover our core services including;

• Advising on major sourcing and outsourcing initiatives

• Dealing with technology projects involving cloud computing, open source, blockchain and automation/AI

• Assisting with data protection and privacy matters, including GDPR compliance and notification issues

• Advising on software licensing and support, and acquisition/licensing of technology

• Negotiation of more general commercial arrangements

• Strategically advising clients and managing client expectations and project delivery appropriately

• Liaising and taking instruction from clients

• Attending client meetings

• Business development - development of a personal plan, assistance with and implementation of business development campaign

• Legal research

SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES

• We do not set upper or lower limits of PQE for any of our vacancies. We have however given an indicative PQE as an approximate guide for applicants. Candidates who have between 0 and 4 years PQE are likely to have the right level of knowledge and have gained the right level of experience needed to be able to undertake this role

• Candidates will have strong IPT experience gained in a leading regional or City firm

• Be able to demonstrate a deep understanding of the technical issues that are key to our clients

• Drafts documents using a commercial, client focused style

• Complies with professional standards and all relevant regulatory obligations

• Complies with the firm's systems, policies and procedures in all matters - including compliance, financial systems and time recording

• Knows and understands how to best utilise information and research resources

THE FIRM

DLA Piper is a global law firm with lawyers located in more than 40 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific.  Our global reach ensures that we can help businesses with their legal needs anywhere in the world.

We strive to be the leading global business law firm by delivering quality, service excellence and value to our clients and offering  practical and innovative legal solutions to help them succeed. Our clients range from multinational, Global 1000, and Fortune 500 enterprises to emerging companies developing industry-leading technologies, as well as government and public sector bodies.    

At DLA Piper we are firmly committed to diversity and inclusion. For us, diversity isn't just about visible differences, it's the unique blend of talents, skills, experiences and perspectives that makes each of us an individual and we know it's crucial to have a culture and environment where those differences are genuinely valued.

We offer exceptional career opportunities to our lawyers, aspiring graduates, and business services professionals in a truly challenging and rewarding environment.  

PRE-EMPLOYMENT SCREENING

Please note that, in the event that we make an offer of employment to you and where local legislation permits, we may conduct pre-employment screening that can include checks  relating to your professional and academic qualifications, your eligibility to work in the relevant jurisdiction, any criminal records, your financial stability and references from previous employers.