Associate / Senior Associate

The role

We are currently looking to recruit an England & Wales qualified solicitor to join our Trade and Government Affairs team in the UK. The team is one of the leading international trade law teams in the UK and works closely across DLA Piper’s global platform, particularly with our lawyers in Washington D.C., Brussels, Singapore and Dubai. 

The role will focus on a combination of sanctions, export control and customs work, but will also involve advising on other aspects of UK trade laws.  The ideal candidate will have four to six years post qualification experience in a top tier international trade practice.  

The team works on wide variety of matters for a range of clients, however, the role will include:
1.    Providing practical, commercial advice on UK and EU economic and trade sanctions, export controls and customs. 
2.    Representing clients in connection with cross-border internal and external investigations involving allegations of sanctions or export control violations.
3.    Advising clients operating in a range of sectors, including manufacturing, consumer goods, technology and energy on developing, implementing, and maintaining effective sanctions, export control and customs compliance programs.
4.    Advising on wider areas of international trade, including Anti-dumping, Free Trade Agreements and WTO law. 

The Trade and Government Affairs team also works closely with the Corporate Crime and Investigations team given the growing cross-over between sanctions, anti-money laundering and investigations work. The role can be based in any of our UK offices but will also require travel to client sites and our other international offices from time to time.   

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• As part of our market leading global team, candidates will enjoy a high-quality range of work including, but not be limited to:
• Advising on UK an EU financial and trade sanctions laws and regulations 
• Advising on UK and EU export control laws and regulations 
• Advising on UK and EU customs laws and regulations 
• Representing clients in connection with cross-border internal and external investigations involving allegations of sanctions or export control violations
• Advising clients operating in a range of sectors, including manufacturing, consumer goods, technology and energy on developing, implementing, and maintaining effective sanctions, export control and customs compliance programs
• Advising on compliance with Free Trade Agreements and WTO Agreements

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 4- and 6-years’ experience 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
• have experience in sanctions, export controls and customs at a leading firm
• be able to demonstrate a deep understanding of the technical issues in these fields that are key to clients
• have experience working across jurisdictions and advising international clients
• non-English language skills are highly desirable
• be capable of building and developing their own network of internal and external contacts
• draft documents using a commercial, client focussed style
• comply with professional standards and all relevant regulatory obligations
• comply with the firm’s systems, policies and procedures in all matters – including compliance, financial systems and time recording; and
• know and understand how to best utilise information and research resources

Behavioural skills:

• A values-based approach – the candidate should be bold, supportive, collaborative and exceptional; Commercially astute and stays current on key legal and business news
• Excellent skills in communication, client relations, and team-working
• A proactive, self-driven, entrepreneurial and innovative outlook 
• Provides a professional, quality service in a timely manner, and responds effectively to requests from internal and external clients
• Understands positive client support
• Creates confidence in the team and the firm
• Works co-operatively in a team, sharing information and knowledge
• Manages time effectively and efficiently
• Seeks to manage own utilisation wherever possible in order to meet individual and team targets
• Takes ownership for achieving agreed objectives
• Recognises and seizes opportunities for the firm, including repeat business
• Builds and develops own network of internal and external contacts
• Develops and awareness of business development initiatives in the department and identifies ways to contribute
• Maintains a controlled, objective and flexible approach under pressure; and
• Exhibits behaviour consistent with the firm’s values and builds relationships based on respect, trust and integrity

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.