Associate - Financial Services (Retail Funds) - London (NQ to 3 PQE)

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.

Our team

Our authorised funds team is a clear market leader. We are ranked Tier 1 for retail funds in London by the Legal 500, where we are quoted as a "leading UK funds practice" that advises all types of fund service provider. Chambers ranks us in Band 1 for open-ended funds UK-wide, describing us as "a clear market leader in the open-ended funds space".We have been at the forefront of regulatory and tax interpretation and product development for the fund management industry for decades.

We cover both retail and authorised fund matters, including UCITS and non-UCITS retail schemes (NURS), OEICs, authorised unit trusts, Property Authorised Investment Funds, Authorised Contractual Schemes, Charity Authorised Investment Funds and the Long Term Asset Fund.

We are well experienced in launching LTAFs, attaining SDR labels and OFR recognition, and advising on fund structuring, tax and regulatory compliance, investment strategies, and asset transfers. We regularly assist asset managers and depositary banks with regulatory implementation, and our lengthy client list includes the industry’s household names.

As part of our team you would be  encouraged to put ideas into action and there is always something new and different to get involved in. This includes the way we work. In 2026, our "Year of AI", we are embedding generative AI across our client service, having partnered with Harvey as our GenAI legal assistant and rolled it out across our lawyers and trainees. You will join a team that treats technology as part of the job, and sees the fast-moving world as a place where we can all thrive and succeed. We are excited for what is next, so with us, you can be too. 

Role and key responsibilities

We are looking for a talented lawyer to join our authorised funds team in London. As an integral part of the team you will advise clients and colleagues, and undertake or support a wide variety of matters. The clients include fund houses, asset managers, depositaries, wealth managers, and major international public and private sector institutional investors.

You will have opportunities to be involved in a number of client relationships, in many cases with daily day to day contact, and there are opportunities for secondment.There will be a focus on establishing and supporting authorised and retail funds, together with advising on the FCA regulatory framework and the contracts particular to the asset management industry (for example investment management, depositary, ACD and administration arrangements). There will also be scope to work on alternative investment funds and to act on the investor side.

You will use our legal technology and AI tools as part of your everyday practice. That means working with Harvey and our wider suite of tools (for example Microsoft 365 Copilot and Lexis Protégé) to support legal research, drafting, document review and data analysis.

Skills and experience

We are seeking applications from lawyers with 0-3 years post qualification experience. Ideally you will have experience with a financial services or asset management team in the UK or in the EU. Associates with corporate or commercial experience who are keen to move into the asset management sector may also be of interest.

Ideally the successful candidate will also be able to demonstrate the following:

• Awareness of financial services regulation, and ideally the FCA framework applicable to authorised funds
• A commitment to delivering quality client service
• An ability to take into account the commercial impact of advice when applying technical expertise
• A breadth of view despite any specialisation
• An ability to manage a heavy workload and the competing demands of clients that arise from running a number of separate matters at once
• Initiative and an ability to take ownership of your own workload
• An ability to build great relationships with colleagues within the team and in other areas, and to work as an integral part of a team
• A keen sense of drive and enthusiasm for the role
• A willingness to stay on top of legal and regulatory developments, and to work with the team on briefings and other know-how projects
• An openness to legal technology and AI, and a willingness to use these tools responsibly and to build the judgment needed to verify their output
• An interest in working with London-based and international clients

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
• 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 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.

We are not working with agencies on this role currently, so if you are interested please do apply directly or get in touch with a member of our team to discuss further.

For you,

For your success.

And what's next.

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