Pensions Senior Associate in Leeds

We wish to hire a Senior Associate with at least 4 – 7 years' post-qualification experience. This role exists to provide expert, commercially focused support to clients on a broad range of pensions matters, helping them navigate complex legal and regulatory challenges with confidence. As part of a collaborative and high-performing team, you will advise on the establishment, operation, governance and restructuring of pension schemes across the public and private sectors. Through building trusted relationships and delivering practical solutions, you will help clients achieve their objectives while contributing to the continued success of the team.

Main duties and responsibilities:

• Work with our global team to drive change, open new opportunities, and accelerate growth for both our clients and our people.
• Deliver exceptional results to clients by advising on commercially focused pensions law advice to clients across the public and private sectors, delivering practical solutions that support client objectives and manage legal and regulatory risk.
• Support the successful delivery of complex pensions matters, including scheme establishment, governance, funding, restructuring, mergers, wind-ups and benefit design changes, ensuring work is completed accurately and efficiently.
• Draft, review and interpret pension scheme documentation and transactional materials, producing clear, high-quality legal documentation that meets client and regulatory requirements.
• Advise clients on legislative and regulatory developments, helping them understand and implement changes while maintaining compliance and effective scheme governance.
• Contribute to pensions-related transactions and strategic projects, identifying and mitigating pension risks and supporting successful client outcomes.
• Support the resolution of contentious and non-contentious pensions matters, including regulatory investigations, Ombudsman complaints and litigation, to protect clients' interests.
• Deliver high standards of professional practice by complying with regulatory obligations, risk management requirements and the firm's policies, procedures and quality standards.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with clients, internal stakeholders and professional contacts, helping to enhance the team's reputation and client service offering.
• Contribute to business development activities by identifying opportunities, supporting client growth initiatives and developing a personal profile within the pensions market.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues to share knowledge, manage workloads effectively and ensure the consistent delivery of an excellent client experience.
• Take ownership of personal performance, utilisation and professional development, maintaining up-to-date legal knowledge and technical expertise in pensions law.

About you:

We pride ourselves on having a collaborative environment and are looking for approachable but confident lawyers with strong potential. The successful candidate will be highly ambitious and enthusiastic, with a desire to progress their own career from the enviable platform that DLA Piper provides. They will have a strong background in Pensions Law and possess excellent interpersonal skills and attention to detail, alongside a real focus on teamwork. The ideal candidate will:

• Be a qualified Solicitor or Barrister in England & Wales.
• Have experience advising on pensions matters within a recognised pensions practice, law firm or in-house legal team, with the ability to manage a varied caseload effectively.
• Possess strong technical knowledge of UK pensions law, regulation and governance, with the ability to apply legal principles in a commercial and pragmatic way.
• Have experience drafting, reviewing and negotiating complex legal documentation, providing clear, accurate and client-focused advice.
• Be able to analyse complex legal, regulatory and commercial issues and develop practical solutions for clients.
• Have an understanding and experience of advising insurers in relation to the provision of defined contribution pension benefits.
• Possess a strong understanding of pensions-related transactional, funding, regulatory and governance matters.
• Be able to build trusted relationships with clients, colleagues and external stakeholders, delivering a high standard of client service.
• Exhibit effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex matters clearly to a range of audiences.
• Demonstrate strong attention to detail and a commitment to delivering high-quality, accurate work.
• Be able to manage multiple priorities and competing deadlines within a fast-paced professional environment.
• Show commercial awareness and an understanding of clients' strategic and business objectives.
• Exhibit a demonstrable commitment to continuous professional development and maintaining up-to-date knowledge of legal and regulatory developments within the pensions sector.
• Have a collaborative approach and commitment to supporting the team's delivery of a comprehensive pensions advisory service.

This Role Profile is not designed to be exhaustive and can be varied as required to develop or fulfil this role.