Commercial Transportation - Associate

What we will offer:

If you require this document in an accessible format (e.g. large print), please contact hr.recruitment@shlegal.com or call 020 7809 2711.

Here you can expect a competitive and fair reward as well as recognition based on all round performance. This forms part of our internal promise to you, The Deal, between the firm and its employees.

You can expect:

• A Competitive salary and a host of family friendly policies
• Life assurance, private health and cental care for you and your family
• A range of flexible benefits including gym discount and retail vouchers
• Tech, cycle and electric car schemes
• The opportunity to support the firm's charity through volunteering leave
• A wellbeing strategy that focuses on preventative measures to maintain overall health, and tools and support for when we experience physical or mental difficulties. The strategy focuses on four pillars: physical, emotional, financial and social aspects.

Team Structure:

This role primarily involves working with commercial contracts, together with advising on regulation specifically within the rail and bus sectors. As a result, the role will be within the award winning and top ranked rail and bus team at Stephenson Harwood.

The past few years have been highly successful for the Stephenson Harwood rail and bus team, which has seen the client base significantly grow and the team expanding accordingly. Key areas of expertise include:

• rail franchising and concessions (advising private and public sector operators and owning groups, and Transport for London) – recent experience includes advising Transport for London on the re-procurement of both the Elizabeth Line and London Overground concessions, Arriva on a number of its National Rail Contracts and concessions (including Cross Country and Chiltern and nationalisation); Transport UK on its National Rail Contracts and work related to renationalisation); Trenitalia UK on its entry into the UK franchising market (when it took over the c2c franchise from National Express and its subsequent National Rail Contract, delivery of day-to-day operations (including procurement activity), as well as nationalisation) and Northern Trains Limited ("NTL") which is now a public sector operator on a variety of issues
• bus franchising and concessions (advising private sector operators and owning groups) – recent experience includes advising 3 separate bidders in relation to the franchising of Manchester buses; we are also instructed in relation to similar procurement processes in Liverpool and Leeds for a variety of bidders
• rolling stock (advising manufacturers on bids for new rolling stock contracts and associated maintenance arrangements; also advising operators and financiers on their rolling stock arrangements) – recent experience includes advising CAF on its successful bids to provide new rolling stock and maintenance services to LNER, the Wales and Borders franchise and Docklands Light Railway and on other bids for new rolling stock within the UK (including currently advising on bids for new trains in Northern, Transpennine Express, Croydon and South East Trains). We are also advising operators such as Transport UK, Trenitalia c2c and financiers on a variety of rolling stock related matters, including in preparation for nationalisation
• regulation (advising on the regulation of the rail and bus sectors, including track and station access, new regulatory arrangements and the Bus Services Act) – experience includes advising TfL on the creation of a regulatory regime for the Crossrail central section, arrangements for the proposed regulation of the Heathrow rail infrastructure and a disputed application for access to network and station as well as a variety of open access related issues as a result of renationalisation of the railways
• infrastructure (advising on the structuring, real estate, construction and regulatory aspects of infrastructure development) – experience includes advising CAF on its UK assembly facility, Transport UK on the financing and procurement of depots to support its new trains programme on the East Anglia franchise and Trenitalia c2c on its upgrade of depot facilities to support its new trains programme. From the buses side, we have also advised on the implementation of batteries on buses and associated electrification of depots and charging infrastructure
• rolling stock and depot financing (advising financiers on the financing of new rolling stock and depots) – recent experience includes advising Corelink Rail on the financing of the West Midlands Fleet, Lombard North Central on financing of the Vivarail trains for the Isle of Wight and advising others on innovative financing arrangements for new rolling stock

We are currently expanding our business internationally and are focussed on developing work in Europe (in particular France) and in the Middle East. There may therefore be opportunities to work in other countries.

The rail and bus team is part of the Real Estate and Projects department at Stephenson Harwood. Whilst this role has a focus on rail and bus work, there will also be the opportunity and expectation in quieter times for a candidate to work in the projects and infrastructure practice from time to time.

Main Responsibilities:

• Analysing the risks arising from proposed contractual arrangements and advising on the best ways of addressing those risks
• Understanding the client's preferred outcomes and developing potential solutions within relevant frameworks
• Clear, concise and unambiguous drafting of documentation
• Conducting legal research using internal and external knowledge management resources
• Preparing commercially-tailored notes of advice and analysis
• Considering and analysing existing contractual arrangements and risks
• Analysing statutory provisions and any regulatory guidance and applying it to the client's situation
• Assisting in the preparation of legal articles
• Liaising with clients
• Communicating clearly with colleagues and clients on each of the responsibilities described above
• Developing own informal internal and external network of contacts
• Building excellent working relationships with clients and peers within the firm
• Attending business development and profile raising events (client events, Future Talent activities)
• We regularly offer secondments to our clients on either a full or part time basis and we see this as an essential part of the role. Willingness to work with our clients in this way is important to us and we see as a benefit to our associates in developing their client skills.

Most of our roles are hybrid, meaning that colleagues benefit from working in our office and remotely. We are happy to discuss this and other flexible working arrangements with you as part of the application and interview process.

Attributes/Skills Required:

• Qualified lawyer with relevant experience in commercial contracts is essential, with past exposure to rail (either from a projects or rail finance team) desirable (full training will be offered)
• A keen interest in the rail and/or bus industry is essential; an interest in projects and infrastructure more generally would also be a plus
• Experience of dealing with franchises and concessions (in rail and/or bus) would be ideal as would experience in procurement and working within public procurement frameworks (Public Contracts Regulations/Utilities Contracts Regulations/Procurement Act) more generally
• Background in a firm with an excellent reputation in commercial contracts (which may include rail/bus projects or rail finance)

This job description is indicative only and does not represent an exhaustive list of responsibilities. The firm reserves the right to alter or change the responsibilities at any time, in line with the firm's strategy and business needs.

We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to having a diverse workforce. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, culture or any other protected characteristics. We aim to create a culture where everyone can be themselves and is valued for their strengths and unique perspectives.

About the Firm:

Our mix of expertise and culture results in a combination of deep local insight and the capability to provide a seamless international service.

Our experience encompasses corporate, commercial litigation and arbitration, employment, pensions and private wealth, finance, marine and international trade, and real estate and projects.

We assemble teams of bright thinkers to match our clients' needs and give the right advice from the right person at the right time. Dedicating the highest calibre of legal talent to overcome the most complex issues, we deliver pragmatic, expert advice that is set squarely in the real world.

We understand the power of diversity in delivering that high calibre advice to our clients. We want to attract diverse talent and we particularly encourage applications from underrepresented demographics.

Our values:

Individuality - We encourage creativity and develop talent

Commitment - To be the best and deliver the highest standard

Teamwork - We work together to build close, long-term relationships

Straight talking - We say what we mean and do what we say

These values express the personality of the individuals within our firm. They are the behaviours we encourage in our people and the standards which inform our decisions and actions.

Our vision into 2026

To be a successful firm where talented people work together in an entrepreneurial environment, building long term client relationships.

This vision is about who we want to be, as well as who we are. It is as much about our values as about our character – the attributes we want to see from all of our people. That's how we unlock our entrepreneurial spirit, advising our clients with top performing teams.

A key part of the 2026 strategy is to focus on five core sectors: energy transition; life sciences and healthcare; private capital and funds; technology; transportation and trade. These have been identified as crucial in the drive for accelerated profitable growth.