Planning & Environmental Lawyer

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.

Our full-service all-island practice with offices in both Belfast and Dublin comprises of over 170 people including 26 partners. We are one of the only leading global law firms with such capabilities in the Irish market. Our practice groups and individuals are strongly ranked across all directories and represent the leading players in the market across a variety of sectors. The firm provides a full range of legal services, including corporate and M&A, dispute resolution and litigation, planning and environmental, energy and infrastructure, data protection, insurance and financial services, employment and pensions, intellectual property, real estate and construction, and tax. 

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 international Planning and Environmental team

Eversheds Sutherland has one of the largest multi-jurisdictional top-tier planning teams and is engaged in some of the most complex and high value development projects across the UK and Ireland covering various sectors and industries (offshore and onshore energy, real estate, data centres, life sciences and large scale infrastructure like rail, roads, aviation, social housing).

The team provides advice on and acts in the following specialist areas:

• Strategic planning advice on opportunities and constraints.
• Pre-application advice and support.
• Acquisition / Development / Project Finance – providing planning and environmental support on corporate and real estate acquisitions and disposals.
• Environmental Impact Assessments as well as application review and support.
• Contentious matters such as planning appeals, judicial reviews and High Court proceedings.
• Post-consent strategic advice.
• Permitting – IED, MCP, Environmental Permitting Regulations.

Role and key responsibilities

We are seeking a talented and motivated individual to join the team as a senior lawyer. We can train you on the law, but we can’t train attitude. The successful applicants will therefore be hungry to learn (additional qualifications will be supported), can’t wait to build strong client relationships and are determined to succeed.  The right applicant will have the desire to grow into the team and develop their career with us over the medium and long term.

You will participate in the full range of work undertaken by the team with the primary focus being national work in Ireland with support of the wider network. The role will also involve taking an active role in the supervision and mentoring of junior colleagues. Although a full case load already exists within this highly successful practice, it will also be necessary to take a lead role alongside partners in the team in marketing and business development opportunities.

You will take on a client facing role from the outset.  

Key responsibilities include:

• As an integral part of the team, you will handle your own matters with supervision
• Be pro-active and willing to get involved in business development, training (both internal and to clients/potential clients) and contribute to the strategic direction and growth of the business
• You will have access to sector specialists and be expected to work with these contacts across the firm to help develop growth areas for the business
• You will provide planning and environmental advice on real estate, energy and corporate transactions
• You will also be involved in training, both externally for clients and internally for colleagues

Skills and experience

We are seeking applications from candidates looking to succeed and progress their career to become market leading practitioners.

• We are looking for a candidate who shares our mindset and are open to applications from persons 3 years post qualification through to Senior Lawyer/Legal Director/Of Counsel experience
• Strong technical skills, commercial acumen and excellent academic qualifications
• Ability to analyse complex factual situations and distil the key issues clearly and concisely and persuade others through logical reasoning
• You will provide a first rate client service both internally and externally
• Evidence of exposure to clients/counsel/experts is desirable
• Exposure to business development activities, training courses and a good understanding of how to win work would be desirable
• ‘Can do’ attitude and prepared to go the extra mile to ensure we are able to meet our clients’ needs

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.