Associate, Inquiries & Investigations - Birmingham, Cardiff or Manchester -1-3PQE

We are Eversheds Sutherland, a global law firm, with more than 5,000 people across over 30 countries. We’re full-service with deep niche and sector experience. Whatever challenge, wherever in the world, we’re equipped and ready to meet it. We live our values, we’re purposeful and purpose-led. So although the world is fast-moving and rapidly changing, we see it as a place where everyone can thrive. We’re ambitious for our clients, our communities – and for you.

The Opportunity

We are looking for an Associate with 1-3 years’ post-qualification experience to join our Inquiries & Investigations team to be based in Birmingham, Cardiff or Manchester in the longer term. This is an exciting opportunity to work on a high profile public inquiry, supporting complex and sensitive work for a client in the public sector. Candidates will need to be able to be flexible and travel as needed.

Our Team

Our Inquiries & Investigations team is formed of hugely experienced lawyers working for clients in the public and private sector. We have unparalleled experience of acting on behalf of high profile governmental inquiries, acting as Solicitors to an Inquiry as well as representing Core Participants. The team also conducts confidential investigations for clients who require an independent review of their work and practices, or a deep dive into something that may have gone awry.

Some of our most notable work has included:

• Acting as Solicitors to the Angiolini Inquiry;
• Acting as Solicitors to the Independent Inquiry relating to Afghanistan;
• Acting on behalf of a Core Participant in the Southport Inquiry;
• Acting on behalf of a Core Participant in the Post Office Horizon Inquiry;
• Being appointed as the Commissioning Body for the Independent Inquiry into Telford Child Sexual Exploitation;
• Supporting a number of disclosure providers and witnesses in the Covid Inquiry;
• Acting on behalf of a Core Participant in the Infected Blood Inquiry;
• Acting on behalf of a number of Core Participants in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry;
• Acting on behalf of a number of Core Participants in the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA);
• Acting on behalf of a Core Participant in the Magnox (non-statutory) Inquiry;
• Acting as Solicitors to the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry (investigating allegations of abuse of children in care);
• Acting for a Core Participant in the Leveson Inquiry (investigating the role of the press and the police in the phone-hacking scandal);
• Assisting and advising Birmingham City Council on the Trojan Horse investigation;
• Other high profile work includes assisting on inquiries such as the Bloody Sunday Inquiry, the Shipman Inquiry, the Rosemay Nelson Inquiry and the Mid-Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust Public Inquiry.

Our team’s mobility and international resources have enabled us to tailor our services to particular inquiries and investigations regardless of their subject matter. The nature of our work means that we rarely know what might be round the corner; we are open minded about both the nature and subject matter of our next instruction.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as solicitors to statutory and non-statutory inquiries;
• Act on behalf of core participants in public and non-statutory inquiries;
• Undertake internal investigations and independent reviews;
• Liaise with, interview and take statements from a wide range of witnesses;
• Undertake evidential review and analysis on various document management and document review platforms;
• Supporting large-scale disclosure projects and document review exercises;
• Carrying out careful redaction of sensitive and confidential information;
• Using our IT systems to assist in monitoring, analysing, reporting and capturing evidence, often dealing with significant volumes of material;
• Attend hearings on behalf of clients;
• Assist with media handling;
• Advise on the processes of an inquiry, including document management, evidence collection, collation and review (witness and documentary), powers, duties and fair process; and matters such as privilege, freedom of information and data protection, judicial review and reputation management.

Skills and Experience

We are looking for:

• Qualified solicitor in England & Wales with 1-3 year’s post-qualification experience;
• Experience of public inquiries, either acting as Solicitor to an Inquiry or supporting a Core Participant;
• Experience gained in private practice, government, regulatory and/or public sector environments;
• Previous experience of working on large scale disclosure or document review exercises;
• Superb analytical skills;
• Excellent judgment and attention to detail, particularly when handling sensitive information;
• Excellent commercial awareness and financial acumen;
• Ability to think independently and contribute effectively with colleagues, clients and Counsel;
• Excellent time management skills;
• Ability to work well under pressure and ensure that high quality, cost effective work is carried out within agreed timescales;
• A willingness and ability to work on site at client premises in central London five days per week and thereafter be flexible depending on where our next instructions take us!
• Given the nature of this work, candidates will need to hold or be capable of obtaining the required level of UK security clearance.

What’s in it for you?

At Eversheds Sutherland, we provide benefits focused on looking after you: your development, your performance, your financial future and your health, as well as providing the opportunity to make a contribution to the world. We’re fair, transparent and equitable. We share in the success of the firm, reward alignment to our values, going above and beyond and your individual performance. We support flexible ways of working through our remote working policy and commitment to flexible, agile and hybrid ways of working. We support your health and performance through our dental, healthcare and wellness support. We support everything you are and all you bring through our powerful commitment to diversity and inclusion. We provide a platform for your career, whatever your ambitions through our structured professional and personal training, mentoring and development programs. We provide experience and opportunity through international and cross-function exposure. We provide an opportunity to give back through our pro bono work and community engagement. We help you plan ahead through retirement planning, insurance and assurance.

Diversity & Inclusion

At Eversheds Sutherland, “Inclusive” is a core business value. We bring together different skillsets, global mindsets and approaches. We foster diversity of thought and the freedom to put ideas into action. We have an inherent respect for the individual. We have a strong belief in collaboration and teamwork. Sharing ideas, asking questions, solving challenges and meeting our clients’ goals: together. We want all our people to thrive at work and reach their full potential and we work hard to continue to build a diverse and inclusive culture, monitor and report on our progress and impact, and develop our approach. This is reflected in our policies, systems and processes, and in our work with diversity membership organisations. Many of our people work flexibly in some way and we are open to considering how we can accommodate flexible working arrangements alongside role requirements. If this is important to you, please talk to us about it during the recruitment process. We want you to perform at your best during our recruitment process. If there is any adjustment or support you need, please contact us so we can discuss how we can best assist you.