Job description

Allen & Overy is a leading global law firm operating in over thirty countries. Embracing new trends and harnessing decades of experience, we’ve earned our place at the forefront of the legal industry. Our partners are recognised as leaders in their field and our deals and cases often make headline business news. As a result, we’ve developed a reputation for delivering exceptional legal solutions that not only solve our clients’ challenges but exceed their expectations. By embracing new ways of thinking, integrating technology into our everyday work and putting our people first, we’ve become known for leading by example.

Join our team and you’ll be part of a flexible, inclusive culture underpinned by openness and consistent support for one another. Our culture enables people to define their own career path based on their strengths, while our ambitious outlook ensures we continue to provide each person with opportunities to thrive.  We’re also committed to supporting a culture that drives diversity and inclusion.  Every day, we’re working hard to create an environment where you feel you can bring your authentic self to work.  To be comfortable and confident to be who you are in the workplace.  To feel like you belong. If you’re ready to play your part in defining the future of law: It’s Time.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Associate to join our Environmental & Regulatory team which sits within our Corporate practice.  

Department purpose

Allen & Overy's International Environmental, Climate & Regulatory law team is consistently ranked in the legal directories as being the leading practice in this area. The team undertake a broad mix of work in the following key areas:

• Environmental disclosure and reporting (eg TCFD)
• Regulatory change affecting major financial institutions and asset managers including SFDR and related regulatory requirements
• Environmental classification (eg Taxonomy issues)
• Operational environmental and health and safety issues (including waste management, contaminated land, producer responsibility, renewables and carbon)
• Nuclear law
• Carbon trading
• Climate change and climate finance
• International public law
• REACH/chemicals regulation
• Product liability

The team has a stellar reputation for advising clients on the most sophisticated and cutting edge legal issues. They offer a truly integrated and multijurisdictional regulatory law service to help their global and local client bases effectively manage their compliance risks/liabilities and make the most of commercial opportunities that arise in the fast-moving environmental arena. Clients of the practice include Citi, Axa, IMI plc, HSBC, Reckitt, GSK, WL Gore, TAQA, TE Connectivity, PIMCO, NEOM, Goldman Sachs, Bridgepoint, Charterhouse and IFC. 

Role & responsibilities 

• Lead on transactions
• Oversee the day to day workload of the juniors team members
• Drafting, reviewing and amending documentation
• Providing strategic guidance to clients
• Managing client expectations and project delivery appropriately
• Business development - development of a personal plan, assistance with and implementation of the business development campaign
• Legal research

Key relationships

• Partners, Associates and the wider Corporate team
• PSL’s
• Business Development Manager
• Wider A&O community

Key requirements

• Qualified lawyer; 5PQE upwards
• Previous experience of environmental and regulatory work is essential
• Strong technical knowledge of the legal framework surrounding a number of our core areas
• Outstanding academic credentials
• Intellectual curiosity and versatility
• Self-starter with the desire and ability to continuously acquire, build upon and share knowledge
• Detail-focused and self-motivated approach
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines
• Excellent client relationship skills
• Sound experience of operating at senior associate level within a complex international organisation
• Strong commercial/business acumen with the ability to deliver creative and pragmatic solutions and advice
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interface at all levels and particularly to win the respect of the partner and fee-earner community, building strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders
• Collaborative team player with the ability to develop and work in a fast paced, intellectually rigorous environment
• A person of sound judgement, able to establish a high level of credibility
• Flexibility
• International outlook

Who we are looking for

• We are looking for high-quality applicants with strong experience in a number of environmental and regulatory matters to join a dynamic team where the quality of work is second to none.