Senior Associate, Projects (Oil and Gas) in London

Department: Projects

Location: London

Duration: Permanent

Reports to: Partner

PQE: 4+

Direct reports: None

Reference no.: 8832

The Department

Our award-winning Projects team has a long heritage of advising IOCs, NOCs and governments, across the full spectrum of the oil and gas, and LNG sector, covering M&A, project development, midstream and downstream financing and gas market regulation. It has been recognised in the upper tiers of the Legal 500 and Chambers for decades in oil & gas.

The Projects practice is integrated across our offices in London, Scotland, Dublin and the Middle East giving members of the team the opportunity to advise on market leading transactions both in the UK and internationally, and work collectively with our Dentons offices throughout the world giving access to work in other jurisdictions.

The Team

Our Oil & Gas practice is known for its industry and regulatory expertise, its experience in advising across the full value chain in the oil & gas sector and its work within the UK and international markets. We advise market participants (including NOCs, oil majors, trading houses, financiers and new market entrants) on some of their most significant and high-value transactions.

Our team of energy sector experts is particularly regarded for its work on strategic transactions in the upstream M&A, LNG and refining sectors. It is also at the forefront of advising on energy transition technologies (including Carbon Capture and Storage, hydrogen and sustainable aviation fuel) and advising traditional oil & gas players as they diversify their businesses into renewable and alternative energy projects.

Our team is further distinguished by the strength of its international trade & sanctions practice, its sector-based disputes practice (with notable recent experience in LNG disputes and price reviews) and its commodity finance practice, which advises within the sector on reserve based lending arrangements, commodity prepayment transactions and inventory monetisations/projects financings for refineries and other processing plants. It has particular strength in the UK, the Middle East, Africa and Central Asia.

The Role

This is a role for driven lawyers with an inquisitive mind, and transactional experience, who want to be challenged intellectually and work on projects that make headlines. You will work on things that are unique or being done for the first time and will need to embrace new challenges across the diversity of project types.

You can expect to work with an interesting variety of work both in the UK and internationally, for international energy companies, national energy companies and governments, working on a range of transactions across the market. Our work relates to projects in the UK and Ireland, as well as internationally, with a focus on Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia.

The variety of work and client base means we are looking for candidates with a good understanding of risk (both legal and commercial) and solid contractual skills who will not be phased by taking on new contractual challenges. You will need to be a problem solver too, capable of assessing where a risk best sits and working with all parties to reach a successful outcome.

You will be front and centre when it comes to client relationships allowing you ample opportunity for business development and for you to establish your own practice as you progress through your chosen career path. The role offers an opportunity for progression to Counsel or Partner for the right candidate. It is anticipated that this role will be office or hybrid based.

Technical Skills

• Outstanding academic record.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to absorb and to draft detailed contractual documentation.
• Transactional experience - strong negotiation and legal drafting skills.
• Oil and gas experience across the sector (M&A, project development, financing and/or trading).
• Excellent project management skills.
• Capable of working effectively within a large team.
• Business development – experience of strengthening existing client relationships and proactively developing new ones.
• A willingness to travel.

Personal attributes

• 4 years+ PQE.
• Is dedicated to exceptional client service.
• Willingness to learn about the markets we operate in.
• Excellent problem solving and decision-making skills.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.
• Demonstrates good judgement and resilience skills.
• Financial and business awareness.
• Willingness to work on a wide range of transactions across the oil and gas practice.

Training Programme

We’re looking for an individual with the aptitude, drive and ambition to thrive in the Projects team at Dentons. We’ll take an interest in what motivates you, and partners in the group will commit to training you up, giving you opportunities to shine in front of clients and to develop and nurture your own client relationships, to travel over time and to be a valued member of our team.

In return, we’re looking for someone to work hard, to retain that learning within the team, and to reach your full potential at Dentons. Investing in the professional development of Dentons lawyers is a priority and aligned to our strategic goal to retain and develop exceptional talent across the UKIME region.

Our people need to have the skills expected of a lawyer of the future right now, which means being commercially and technically savvy; with a high level of emotional intelligence, innovative and confident; focused and resilient. You have the freedom to succeed and develop your career your way. We provide an environment where you thrive, where you feel enabled, empowered, and able to be at your best, at work and at home.

We know that to do this, there is great value in understanding yourself, your unique strengths and how you can leverage these to unleash your full potential and achieve your career goals.

Our Senior Development Training for Senior Associates is an award-winning intensive development programme for high performing lawyers from both UKIME and Europe. It offers a challenging learning and development experience using innovative techniques to prepare our lawyers for the next step in their career.

Firm Profile

Across more than 80 countries, Dentons helps you grow, protect, operate and finance your organisation by providing uniquely global and deeply local legal solutions. Polycentric, purpose-driven and committed to inclusion, diversity, equity and sustainability, we focus on what matters most to you.

Inclusion and Diversity

We are committed to building an inclusive culture here at Dentons where our people can thrive, regardless of their background or circumstance. As well as being the right thing to do, it makes good business sense too. A richness of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives helps us best serve our clients and the communities in which we operate.

Dentons is committed to providing equal opportunities for all. We welcome applications from everyone including of any age, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, nationality, neurodiversity, disability, or with parental or caring responsibilities. We also offer flexible working hours.

During the application process, all applicants have the opportunity to tell us about any adjustments or support they require so they are able to perform at their best. Any information you share with us during the application process is treated in confidence.

If you are interested in applying for this position, we welcome direct applications via our careers page, but if you have any questions beforehand, please email recruitment.matters@dentons.com. Enquiries only please – applications will not be accepted via email.

Please note that we will not accept unsolicited CVs sent to the business, nor will we accept any associated terms of business.