Commercial Associate/Senior Associate (Rail)

"Osborne Clarke has a thorough knowledge of the rail industry. They are able to help with virtually any issue." Legal 500 2021

We are looking for an Associate or Senior Associate to join our highly regarded Rail team. You will have the opportunity to advise on multiple aspects of rail work, from the provision of regulatory advice through to rolling stock and technology projects, some with an international dimension. The ideal candidate will have experience in at least one of these specialisms together with a willingness to develop their skills across those other areas in which the team is active. This is an exciting opportunity to join a top-tier Chambers and Legal 500 rated team and advise on high value, strategically important projects within a supportive, fun and collegiate environment.

The practice

Our Rail team is highly regarded within the industry and has been at the centre of developments in UK rail since privatisation. Notable clients range from the Department for Transport, the Office of Rail and Road and the Rail Delivery Group, through to transport operators, rolling stock manufacturers and lessors. We are currently actively involved in a number of projects centred on implementation of the Williams Shapps Plan for Rail.

To find out more about the practice, please see the link below:

https://www.osborneclarke.com/sectors/transport-and-automotive/rail-and-bus

The work

You will get to work on high value, strategic mandates for Rail team clients, with the opportunity to specialise in regulatory, rolling stock and transactional matters. While the focus of the work from time to time will depend on client requirements, the successful candidate can expect to be able to define a career path which maximises their potential by focusing on the specialisms within the practice areas in which the rail team operates most relevant to that person. The successful candidate may also have the opportunity to deploy their skill set in related areas such as energy and utilities regulation and complex commercial projects, if they wish.

The team

"The team demonstrates commitment, sage advice and a high degree of emotional intelligence" - Legal 500 2021

The Rail team at Osborne Clarke is a multi-service line team working across our UK and international offices and comprises more than 30 partners and other lawyers. Led by partner Lara Burch, the core team members that you will be working with are based within our commercial practice and include partner Edward Barratt and associate director Jeremy Godley, alongside a number of senior associates and associates.

Technical skills and experience

You will have experience of some of the following: the legislative, regulatory and contractual basis of franchised/concession-based rail operations, including fares and ticketing and access arrangements, rolling stock procurement, leasing and finance, including manufacture and supply, technical support and spares supply agreements. Experience in related fields such as rail infrastructure investment and delivery, including station and depot upgrades, as well as regulatory disputes and other rail-related areas of expertise may also be useful however is not essential.

You will be able to show relevant experience in either or both of the areas of focus described, as well as the willingness to develop your skills and expertise where the opportunity arises. We anticipate you will have trained at a city, national or large regional law firm recognised for its rail practice. The role requires someone with strong drafting and analytical skills and the ability to provide concise, commercially astute advice which is underpinned by a strong understanding of the relevant legal and regulatory framework and industry context.

Due to the nature of the work and the structure of the team, we are looking for an Associate or Senior Associate, although we will consider candidates with more or less experience.

Your career development

Like all our lawyers, you will benefit from our multi-award winning career development programme. At each stage of your career this provides you with:

• clear expectations of your role and what it takes to progress;
  
• high quality clients and work, with early responsibility and client exposure;
• thorough assessment and individual feedback from a range of experienced colleagues;
• robust technical training with early skills based development, increasingly tailored to you; and
• reward for your contribution, progression and potential, rather than PQE or tenure.

Salary and benefits

We offer competitive salaries and generous benefits.

For more information or to apply

At Osborne Clarke we welcome direct applications - if you would like any further information about the role, or the firm, we would be delighted to hear from you. Please contact, in complete confidence, Rachael Hardwick in the recruitment team on rachael.hardwick@osborneclarke.com.

AtOsborne Clarkewe value difference and encourage applicants from all social backgrounds, ethnicities, disabilities, gender identities, and sexual or romantic orientations. We want everyone to feel that OC is a place where you can be yourself and where you belong, and our range of interest groups and diversity networks - not to mention our great teams - are a part of making that a reality.

We support working families via a range of family and caring friendly policies and will accommodate flexible working where we can. We value the health and wellbeing of our people: for example, we’re signatories to the Mindful Business Charter, have an active network of mental health champions and offer free initiatives and flexible benefits to all our people.

Being an inclusive employer is important to us. We have made a number of external commitments such as the Race Fairness Commitment and Women in Law Pledge, and are working with organisations like Stonewall to become a more inclusive employer.

Osborne Clarke is a Living Wage Employer, so we’re committed to paying everybody in our business enough to live on and to enable them to save for the future.

We want you to be able to show us your best during the recruitment process. If you require any adjustments to be made during the application, interview process or when working with us, please let us know.