THE OPPORTUNITY 

By joining our highly respected team you will have the widest platform to progress your career, in a culture where you have a remit to make a real impact. 

This is your opportunity to become an integral  leader within our global team. You will drive change, open new opportunities and accelerate growth for both our clients and our people.         

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Employing over 70 specialist pension lawyers globally, our pensions team is one of the largest in the world and is at the forefront of legal change, innovating in cutting edge matters. 

We cover every aspect of pension provision, including the creation, operation, regulation and restructuring of all types of pension funds in both private and public sectors. Our client base includes some of the biggest sector names and we advise over 500 schemes, including the second-largest UK pension scheme, multinational employers and trustees alike.

We place great emphasis on training and development, which we see as key to staying informed of developments and trends and enabling us to provide well-rounded yet strategic counsel to clients. The group is also supported by experienced lawyers in other practice areas, such as Tax, Funds, Leveraged Finance, Restructuring, Employment and Litigation – all of whom have considerable experience in pension and benefits issues. Our full-service international platform sets us apart from our competitors, enabling us to provide seamless jurisdiction-specific advice to our clients wherever they do business. 

ABOUT YOU

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 6 and 8 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, although we will consider each application on its merits.

The successful candidate will be highly ambitious and enthusiastic, with a desire to progress their own career from the enviable platform that DLA Piper provides. They will need to have experience of advising trustee and employer clients on a range of pensions issues and will possess excellent technical skills and attention to detail, alongside developed team work, project management and client care abilities.   Specialised experience, for example in relation to investment, insurance or wider employee benefits, would be welcomed but is not essential. Candidates must also demonstrate a flair for marketing and business development and a desire to help drive the practice forwards and into new areas. Some other required skills and attributes are:

• Commercially astute and stays current on key legal and business news 

• Excellent skills in communication, client relations, and team-working 

• Provides a professional, quality service in a timely manner, and responds effectively to requests from internal and external clients

• Understands positive client support 

• Creates confidence in the team and the firm

• Works co-operatively in a team, sharing information and knowledge

• Manages time effectively and efficiently

• Seeks to manage own utilisation wherever possible in order to meet individual and team targets

• Takes ownership for achieving agreed objectives

• Recognises and seizes opportunities for the firm, including repeat business

• Builds and develops own network of internal and external contacts

• Awareness of business development initiatives in the department and identifies ways to contribute

• Maintains a controlled, objective and flexible approach under pressure

• Exhibits behaviour consistent with the firm's values and builds relationships based on respect, trust and integrity

This job description is not designed to be exhaustive and can be varied as required to develop or fulfill this role.   

ABOUT US

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.

OUR VALUES

In everything we do connected with our People, our Clients and our Communities, we live by these values:

Be Supportive - we care about others, value diversity and act thoughtfully

Be Collaborative - we give, we share and we join in

Be Bold - we stand tall and challenge ourselves to think big

Be Exceptional - we exceed standards and expectations

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

At DLA Piper we are working hard to ensure that our talent pool is diverse. 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. We know it's crucial to have a culture and environment where those differences are genuinely valued and that's why we strive to be a business where everyone can thrive, develop and succeed based on their talent.  Our aim is to build an inclusive and supportive culture where all our people feel they belong and can achieve their best.

PRE-ENGAGEMENT SCREENING

In the event that we make an offer to you, and where local legislation permits, we may conduct pre-engagement screening checks that may include but are not limited 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.