As a Trainee Solicitor, you will support the Equans UK Legal Team in delivering contentious and non-contentious legal services across the full range of the company’s business lines, including Sustainable FM, Places & Communities, Digital & Energy Services, as well as corporate governance, and regulatory compliance.
In addition, you will complete 2 seats as a secondee to our sister companies, Bouygues Construction in the UK and Colas (Road) in London and Birmingham respectively.
You will form part of the Equans UK & Ireland Graduate scheme, which starts on Wednesday the 9th of September in London and which will last for 2 years.
You will work closely with qualified lawyers and non lawyers within the team, gaining hands-on exposure to a broad range of legal work including potentially commercial, construction, energy, M&A, corporate, dispute resolution, employment, property, insurance, ethics and data protection.
Your training is expected to be split into 4 x 6 month seats, and your workload arranged in a way that develops the competencies in the Statement of Solicitor Competence.
You will be expected to be in the office at least 3 days a week and where possible regular site visits will be organised.
Roles and responsibilities
Some of the roles and responsibilities you may undertake during your rotations could be:
- Provide practical, commercial legal advice across a range of business areas
- Support drafting, review, and negotiation of a range of legal documents
- Support decision-making and ensure regulatory compliance
- Help monitor and manage legal risks in ongoing business activities and projects
- Liaise proactively with internal stakeholders
- Monitor deadlines and ensure compliance with them
- Maintain thorough and accurate legal records, databases, and documentation
- Contribute to continuous improvement of legal processes
- Support adherence to Equans’ and the Bouygues Group’s governance, ethics, and regulatory standards
Example tasks
This is a varied role where no two days are likely be the same, but examples of work expected to be carried out by the Trainee Solicitor include:
- Assisting with the review and drafting of proposed contracts and ancillary documents at bid stage and providing input into the legal sections of bid submission documents
- Assisting with advice on legal aspects of proposed and existing subcontracts, appointments, bonds, guarantees, warranties, and similar documents
- Assisting with the monitoring and progression of disputes and potential disputes – both as Claimant or Defendant – including the preparation of documents for proceedings
- Liaising with the business to obtain instructions on specific matters
- Providing legal research and guidance on topics relevant to our business lines
- Assisting with the review of current and planned future legislation and regulations and advising on their potential impact on present and future activities
We’re looking for people who are motivated to continue learning and are ready to take on new opportunities. You won’t be alone during the scheme; you will be supported to drive your development through structured placement reviews and regular meetings with the Early Careers team. From day one you will have a buddy, usually a graduate in the year above, to share experiences with, and you will have a mentor throughout the scheme. You will also be able to join any of our employee-led networks, including our Young Professionals Network.
The Trainee Solicitor role requires strong legal research skills across a range of legal disciplines, the ability to apply practical context and commercial judgement to advice, and the confidence to support on complex and fast paced legal matters within an experienced embedded legal team.
The Trainee Solicitor will be expected to balance multiple matters and stakeholder expectations in a complex business environment. The Trainee Solicitor will also be expected to adhere to company and group policies and principles, especially with regard to governance and company risk, and - with support - to be able to identify and explain the various legal frameworks within which the company functions.
The Trainee Solicitor will be expected to uphold the Group’s values in delivering professional and high-quality legal services to the business, in conjunction with their colleagues within the team.
What can we offer you?
- A competitive starting salary of £30,000
- 24 days annual leave (+ public holidays)
- Life Cover equivalent to 1 times annual salary
- Employee discount shopping schemes on major brands and retailers
- Gym membership discounts
- Cycle to work scheme
- Holiday purchase scheme
- 2 corporate social responsibility days per year
- Attractive Employee Referral Rewards Scheme
- Access to our growing employee networks including WOMEN Together, RISE (Respecting, Inspiring and Supporting Ethnic Minorities), Encompass (LGBTQ+), WPN (Working Parents Network), YPN (Young Professionals Network), AccessAbility (Disability Network) and our Green Network
- 24/7 Employee Assistance Program and access to mental wellbeing app
Who are we looking for?
To us, it does not matter who you are. If you share our energy, values, and vision, we want to work with you.
Essential:
- A qualifying law degree (LLB or GDL) or equivalent
- Currently studying towards or having recently completed the SQE (SQE1 and/or SQE2) or LPC
- Interest in working in the field of construction and technical services across energy, facilities management, decarbonisation, and digital transformation projects
Desirable:
- Previous experience of working within a legal team, law firm, or in-house legal department
- Experience of legal research, document review, or case management; and/or
- Experience of working in a professional office environment, whether through employment, a placement, or voluntary work
- A full UK driving licence
Who are we?
Equans is a world leader in energy services with nearly 100,000 employees working in more than 50 countries, with an annual turnover of over 17 billion euros.
In the UK & Ireland, Equans is a provider of technical, FM, regeneration and energy services – with specialist capabilities in smart buildings, green mobility, district & embedded energy and decentralised renewables.
Equans’ 13,500 UK & Ireland employees combine these activities to help businesses, public sector organisations and government to embrace the energy transition towards net zero, and also the digital & industrial transitions that are redesigning the way we move, work and live.
Equans is a Bouygues group company.
For this role, you must have evidence of the right to work in the UK. Unfortunately, we are not able to offer a re-location package with this job role. Certain roles may require applicants to undergo a Disclosure check, as noted in the role requirements.
