Associate - Commercial Technology - 1 to 3 PQE - Leeds, Manchester, Notttingham or Birmingham

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.

As a lawyer, you enjoy a variety of work: regional to international and across practice groups. With us, you grow your global mindset. You’re encouraged to put ideas into action and there’s always something new and different to get involved in. Our Commercial Technology team works on complex, headline making deals across emerging tech (including AI), IT and tech-led BPO outsourcing. The team works closely with our wider Commercial Practice Group colleagues and offers substantial experience in negotiating and drafting agreements and creating relationships that enable businesses and public bodies to accomplish their commercial objectives.

Having vast e-commerce experience within the multi-billion-dollar technology based environments of AI, cloud, automation, additive manufacturing and blockchain, we have worked on some of the largest outsourcing deals of the last few years. The team has a proven track record of delivering successful IT projects, achieved by a continuous focus on clients' strategic objectives and a detailed understanding of the underlying technology. We are particularly well known for our expertise in the financial services sector.

We have extensive experience advising financial institutions on the regulatory impact of critical IT projects – from infrastructure and applications deployments to cloud services. This work is often hand-in-hand with financial services regulatory teams, giving these clients access to a combined high quality offering within this space. We are one of very few teams who act regularly for both major financial institutions across the globe alongside established and start-up Fintech and Regtech players. Our clients also include some of the world’s largest technology and IT service providers.

We are actively recruiting for an Associate to join our Commercial Technology team. The workload is very varied and we are looking for a lawyer who has worked across a variety of contract types in the technology field. As part of this role you can expect to be involved in:

• Advising on technology contracts for a broad range of customer and supplier clients, including both traditional IT and outsourcing contracts along with contracts for innovative and disruptive technologies including AI systems and services.
• Advising on technology related regulatory requirements, particularly in relation to the financial services sector and in the context of AI deployment.
• Supporting on the technology aspects of corporate deals.
• Business development initiatives, including speaking at seminars for clients, internal training as well as client briefing papers.

You must have a good grounding in technology law. You must be able to demonstrate strong analytical skills and attention to detail and be able to communicate effectively at different levels and with clients from a variety of different cultures. You must be able to build strong relationships and enjoy business development activities. We expect you to be able to demonstrate a detailed knowledge of the contract terms and also the key commercial and operational issues with these types of deals.

We are looking for:

• Experience of advising on the full range of IT and outsourcing contracts.
• A keen interest in technology, including artificial intelligence.
• Someone who is at Associate level, 1-3 PQE (Minimum of 1 PQE).
• Has experience in advising on outsourcing and technology contracts, with experience of artificial intelligence an advantage.
• A good grounding in technology and commercial law, connected laws and regulations.

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.

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.