Projects Associate

The role

Our Platform. Your Progression. 

We operate globally across more than 40 countries, but we’re still locally connected. That’s because trusting, collaborative relationships with our clients and each other are at the heart of our success.

This is an opportunity for an Associate to join our Energy, Infrastructure and Projects practice specialising in project development in the energy and natural resources sector and have a real impact by working alongside our global team to deliver exceptional and innovative results to our clients.

Sitting in our Finance, Projects and Restructuring practice group, the projects team advises lenders (including commercial banks, institutional investors, non-bank lenders, national and multilateral agencies and development finance institutions and export credit agencies), sponsors (including industrial sponsors and financial investors) and other project parties on the development and financing of energy and natural resources projects across the world.  Wherever the project is located, transactions are typically cross border in nature and as part of the team you will be working closely with colleagues in other jurisdictions.  Many of our transactions are market firsts and often involve innovative structures.  The Finance, Projects and Restructuring practice group has a particular focus on opportunities in the energy transition and is already considered a market leader in this fast growing sector.

DLA Piper understands that you’re building a future and we are committed to supporting you reach the full potential of your own personal career ambitions. We can offer an interesting, innovative and exciting opportunity to the candidate with the right skillset and a passion for the energy and natural resources sector.

We want you to reach your full potential as part of a diverse, global team that thrives on collaboration, and seizing opportunity and commercial edge.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

By joining a global leader in the energy and natural resources sector and one of the largest teams of dedicated finance lawyers, you will receive support from Partners and Legal Directors devoted to developing and achieving your goals. Candidates will enjoy a uniquely dynamic range of international work across a variety of energy and natural resources projects.

Responsibilities will include, but not be limited to:

• Representing lenders and sponsors in all elements relating to the development, construction, operation, acquisition and sale of energy and natural resources projects through Europe, Africa and the Middle East
• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating project documents which are typically bespoke (including feedstock and offtake arrangements, construction and technology license contracts, shareholders’ agreements, concession agreements)
• Undertaking due diligence and bankability reviews of project documents
• Attending client meetings where appropriate
• Co-ordinating conditions precedent (CPs) on complex projects including using CP management software platforms
• Managing signing and closing processes, remotely and at physical signing meetings
• Liaising with DLA Piper colleagues in overseas jurisdictions and other overseas counsel, other DLA Piper specialists and technical, insurance, financial and other professional advisers acting on a project
• Supporting lender and sponsor clients on on-going and post completion matters
• Supervising the involvement of trainee solicitors on a transaction
• Supporting knowledge management by drafting precedent documents and other knowhow materials; and
• Involvement in business development activities, including networking events and supporting the production of pitch documents

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 and 6 years’ PQE are likely to have the right level of knowledge and have gained the right level of experience needed to be able to successfully undertake this role.

The role would ideally suit someone who either has experience of project development work or a more general corporate / commercial background and a keen interest in the energy and natural resources sector.

The ideal candidate will:

• Be a Solicitor, Barrister or equivalent in other jurisdictions
• Have strong technical skills in project development work
• Have experience working in the energy and natural resources sector (e.g. downstream and midstream oil and gas, LNG, petchems, energy transition (green hydrogen, carbon capture etc) and renewable energy)
• Be interested in working in emerging markets and willing and able to undertake travel as part of work
• Experience of multi-jurisdictional transactions would be preferable but is not essential.  An interest in cross-border work is, however, a must
• Be able to handle multiple priorities, working to sometimes conflicting timescales in a fast-paced and challenging environment
• Be proactive and resilient
• Have a commercial and solutions-oriented mindset that applies strong technical knowledge to produce innovative solutions to achieve clients’ objectives
• Be able to build trust and rapport to develop effective relationships, internally and externally
• Be keen to get involved in business development
• 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.

So bring your ambition, initiative and entrepreneurial mind-set to a global business that’s redefining the expectations of a law firm.

ABOUT US

DLA Piper is a global law firm with lawyers 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.

We support anyone with a disability or long term health condition to ensure they have the opportunity to perform at their best. If you have not done so already, please let us know if you require any support so we can make the right adjustments and considerations should they be required.

AGILE WORKING

We know 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, 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 references from previous employers.