Legal Assistant

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.

The Opportunity

Our Environment, Health and Safety (‘EHS’) team is looking for an enthusiastic and ambitious Legal Assistant to join our market-leading, Band 1 ranked Environment, Health and Safety team based in our Leeds office. This team services clients and mandates nationwide.

This is a hands-on role offering a unique opportunity to work alongside market-leading lawyers on some of the most complex, high-profile and often nationally significant matters. From supporting members of the team in attending incident investigations, court hearings, site visits and delivering client training sessions, no two days are the same.

The successful candidate will become an integral part of the team, supporting lawyers on a broad range of contentious and advisory matters whilst gaining valuable exposure to legal practice. This role is particularly suited to someone who is looking to build a long-term career in the legal profession, is excited by the opportunity to develop specialist expertise in environment, health and safety law, and wishes to grow their legal knowledge and commercial understanding.

We welcome applications from candidates at various stages of their career, whether you are a recent graduate looking for your first role in law, or someone with existing legal or administrative experience seeking to specialise in this dynamic and rewarding area.

Our Team

Our Band 1 ranked EHS team is the market leader in supporting organisations and directors in regulatory investigations and prosecutions across a variety of sectors including construction, manufacturing, transport, utilities, retail and logistics. We advise on the full spectrum of environment, health and safety matters, from crisis response and incident management through to strategic compliance advice and corporate governance.

The team supports clients through complex investigations, regulatory challenges, public inquiries, litigation and crisis management situations. Our lawyers are trusted advisors on some of the most significant and high-profile matters in the market, often working at the intersection of law, business and public policy.

Our clients include FTSE 100 companies, multinational corporations, public sector bodies and SMEs. We regularly act in matters of national significance, including major incident investigations, inquests and public inquiries.

In this role, you will work closely with all lawyers across the nationwide team, gaining first-hand experience of how major cases and investigations are managed. The role provides exceptional exposure to legal proceedings, client-facing work and strategic advisory matters from the outset.

Key Responsibilities

In these roles, typical responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• Attending court hearings, client meetings, conferences with Counsel and witness interviews, taking detailed notes and completing follow-up actions promptly
• Supporting lawyers with case management and document organisation
• Preparing PDF paginated court bundles, hearing materials and supporting documentation
• Drafting first versions of witness statements, chronologies and other legal documents
• Conducting legal and factual research
• Administrative tasks including file management, onboarding processes and financial management
• Collating information and ensuring document management systems are up to date
• Proofreading and cross-referencing legal documents
• Assisting with reporting requirements, compliance projects and internal management information
• Providing support for client events, training sessions and business development activities, including producing marketing materials such as slide decks and placemats, and coordinating client events
• Attending external training and sharing key learning across the team
• Willingness to travel and, where required, work away from the office to support client site visits and projects (we service a nationwide client base)
• Building relationships with clients and becoming a trusted point of contact for day-to-day queries

Skills and Experience

We are looking for:

• A genuine interest in and desire to work within the field of environment, health and safety law
• Administration experience, ideally obtained in a legal setting, with proficiency in Outlook, Microsoft Teams, Excel, PowerPoint and Adobe
• Experience managing client or customer relationships in any setting (office, retail, hospitality or similar)
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and work to tight deadlines
• The ability to take ownership of responsibilities
• Demonstrable interpersonal skills and the ability to engage effectively with colleagues, clients and external stakeholders
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to draft detailed documents including conference notes, hearing notes and witness statements
• A willingness to continue learning and developing, including attending training events such as barrister training sessions and sector specialist webinar
• A proactive and positive attitude, with a willingness to support the team and contribute to a collaborative working environment

This role is based in our Leeds office and you will be required to attend the office at least three days per week to support the team and to encourage your learning and development.

What’s in it for you?

At Eversheds Sutherland, our benefits are designed to support your development, performance, financial future and wellbeing, as well as providing you with the opportunity to make a contribution to the world.

• We’re fair, transparent and equitable in how we recognise and reward our people
• 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 commitment to blended and hybrid working arrangements
• 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.