Environmental & ESG Associate

The role

A rare opportunity for a highly motivated and ambitious associate to become a key part of one of the most exciting and highly regarded Environmental & ESG practices in the market today. 

DLA Piper is one of the largest and most successful law firms in the world. This is an exciting opportunity to join the firm’s London-based Environmental & ESG practice, led by partner Nick Rock. 

This busy team represent some of the world’s most successful and high-profile companies on the full range of Environmental, ESG & Product Regulatory matters. The team’s practice is highly international in focus and highly diverse in its subject matter and sector coverage. Your work would span contentious, non-contentious and advisory work, usually with a multi-jurisdictional European and International focus across the Consumer Goods, Energy & Natural Resources, Chemicals, Technology and many other sectors. 

This is a fast-paced and dynamic practice in which no two days are the same, but which is also seen as one of the most friendly, collegiate and supportive in the City, particularly in respect of its support and development of its associates. 

This represents a unique opportunity to take your career to the next level in an inclusive, nurturing environment where you will have every opportunity to thrive and grow into the kind of Environmental lawyer you want to be! 

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
As part of our global team, candidates will enjoy a high-quality range of work across the full range of Environmental & Sustainability/ESG matters that will include, but not be limited to:

• Brownfield site remediation and redevelopment
• Sustainability/ESG reporting under CSRD, CSDDD, ISSB and similar laws
• Waste law, including transboundary movement of waste
• Chemicals regulation (REACH/CLP/Biocides etc.)
• Product Regulatory/Product Liability
• Environmental investigations and disputes and many others 

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 3-5 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. 

The ideal candidate will: 

• Be a qualified Solicitor, ideally qualified in England & Wales or a Commonwealth jurisdiction
• Be academically excellent 
• Be a team player
• Be ambitious to become the best lawyer they can be
• Thrive in an environment that is fast-paced and highly-varied
• Have excellent skills in communication, client relations, and team-working
• Provide a professional, quality service in a timely manner, and respond effectively to requests from internal and external clients
• Manage time effectively and efficiently
• Seek to manage own utilisation wherever possible to meet individual and team targets
• Take ownership for achieving agreed objectives
• Be keen to build and develop own network of internal and external contacts
• Have awareness of business development initiatives in the department and identifies ways to contribute
• Maintain a controlled, objective and flexible approach under pressure
• Exhibit behaviour consistent with the firm’s values and builds relationships based on respect, trust and integrity

No two careers – or two people – are the same at DLA Piper. This is an opportunity to be yourself in a diverse team where every voice is heard and your success is recognised

ABOUT US
DLA Piper is a global law firm with lawyers and business service professionals 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 are compassionate and inclusive, valuing diversity and acting thoughtfully
• Be Collaborative – we are proactive, passionate team players investing in our relationships
• Be Bold – we are fearless and inquisitive, challenging ourselves to think big and find creative new solutions
• Be Exceptional – we are strategic and driven, exceeding standards and expectations

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
At DLA Piper, diversity and inclusion underpins how we live our values and everything we do. We believe that everyone has a voice, and that everyone’s voice counts. We know that the rich diversity across our firm makes us stronger, more innovative and creative, which helps us to better serve our clients and communities. We are committed to providing an inclusive working environment and culture across our global firm, where everyone can bring their authentic self to work.
Diversity of perspective, thought, background and culture combine to make us the leading global law firm; that’s why we actively seek to build balanced teams. We welcome the unique contribution that you will bring to our firm and actively encourage applications from all talented people – however your talent is packaged, whatever your background or circumstance and regardless of how you identify.

HYBRID WORKING
We recognise that people have responsibilities and interests outside of their career and that as a business, we all benefit from working flexibly. That’s why we are open to discussing with candidates the different ways in which we are able to support requests for agile working arrangements.

PRE-ENGAGEMENT SCREENING
In the event that we make an offer to you, and where local legislation permits and where relevant, we will 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 work-related references.