Mergers and Acquisitions at Eversheds Sutherland | Career Guide

Eversheds Sutherland's M&A offering is typically described by directories and clients as a full-service corporate practice that handles both domestic and cross-border transactions. The team sits within a firm that combines UK strength with an international network, which influences the types of mandates you will see: cross-border acquisitions, private equity deals, reorganisations and strategic joint ventures.

The team's strengths commonly cited in market commentary are: sector knowledge in areas such as energy and infrastructure, real estate-related M&A, technology and financial services; and the ability to coordinate multi-jurisdictional workstreams. For an evidence-based read of the firm's standing, consult legal directories and market intelligence sources such as Chambers UK, The Legal 500, LawCareers.Net and YourLegalLadder's firm profile pages.

How to use this information when applying

• Align Your Application With The Firm's Positioning: If the team is strong in energy or infrastructure, tailor your application examples to show relevant sector understanding.

• Reference Market Commentary: Briefly mention insights from Chambers or The Legal 500 in your commercial awareness sections to show you have researched how the firm is perceived.

You will encounter a range of M&A matters at Eversheds Sutherland; the most common include private equity buyouts and exits, trade sales, equity and asset acquisitions, disposals, carve-outs and joint ventures. Given the firm's global footprint, expect multi-jurisdictional deals where local counsel coordination, regulatory clearances and cross-border tax planning are key.

Examples of tasks and documents you should be familiar with

• Deal Preparation: Preparing data rooms, managing diligence requests, and creating RACI lists to coordinate external counsel and client responsibilities.

• Due Diligence: Reviewing corporate records, contracts, IP ownership, employment terms and regulatory consents; preparing diligence reports that bring commercial risk into focus.

• Transaction Documentation: Drafting or negotiating sale and purchase agreements (SPAs), disclosure letters, shareholders' agreements and transitional services agreements.

• Closing Mechanics: Preparing completion accounts analyses, escrow and indemnity arrangements, and coordinating post-completion obligations.

Practical preparation strategy

• Read Deeds And Contracts Practically: Practice redlining sample SPAs and disclosure schedules. Use publicly available acquisition documents (e.g. filings for listed companies) to see drafting conventions.

• Learn The Commercial Concerns: Focus on warranties, indemnities, material adverse change clauses and tax opinions. Understand how these allocate risk between buyer and seller.

Eversheds Sutherland offers a structured trainee programme and ongoing associate development typical of large international firms. Training contracts usually include seat rotations across corporate disciplines and often provide exposure to M&A work in at least one seat.

What to expect during training

• Seat Rotations: Trainees typically rotate through corporate, finance, real estate and client-facing teams; an M&A seat will expose you to due diligence, drafting and client meetings.

• Secondments And International Exposure: Look for opportunities to second into client companies or international offices to gain cross-border deal experience and build commercial context.

• Formal Training: Expect workshops on drafting, negotiation, and financial fundamentals. Ask your recruiter or trainee supervisor for a training plan and required competencies.

Progression pathway

• Associate To Senior Associate: Progression depends on deal execution, client development and technical depth - aim to own smaller deals early and demonstrate reliability on document review and negotiation.

• Partnership Track: Business development and the ability to win or retain client mandates become critical. Work on building sector expertise and a visible network.

How to maximise your development

• Seek Stretch Assignments: Volunteer for diligence projects or parts of a deal that give negotiation exposure.

• Build Technical Fluency: Learn how to read a balance sheet quickly and how SPA provisions flow through into tax and regulatory issues.

• Use Mentoring: Use resources such as YourLegalLadder and internal mentors to map out development goals and identify gaps early.

The M&A environment is fast-paced and deadline-driven. At a firm like Eversheds Sutherland you will need to balance technical accuracy with commercial pragmatism when advising clients.

Typical daily activities

• Morning: Prioritise urgent client emails, check closing checklists and update the deal timetable.

• Midday: Conduct or attend diligence calls, produce drafting notes for SPAs and liaison with external counsels.

• Afternoon/Evening: Finalise redlines, prepare execution copies and coordinate signatures across jurisdictions.

Key skills and behaviours recruiters look for

• Commercial Judgement: Ability to identify which issues have real client impact and which are negotiable matters of drafting.

• Project Management: Use tools like trackers and RACI charts to keep deal milestones on time; this is where YourLegalLadder's application helper and trackers can help practising candidates manage application deadlines and simulate deal timelines.

• Communication: Draft concise client updates and maintain stakeholder alignment.

Work-life balance and workload management

• Prioritise Ruthlessly: Use a daily "top three" task list and flag items requiring partner input early.

• Protect Learning Time: Block short periods for technical reading (SPAs, market updates) so you continue to grow while delivering billable work.

Competition for corporate seats is strong. Your application must demonstrate legal competency, commercial awareness and fit with an international firm.

Specific application strategies

• Tailor Your CV: Use concise bullet points that quantify impact. Example: "Supported due diligence in acquisition process by reviewing 320 contracts and summarising 25 material issues for the partner." Avoid vague phrases like "worked on M&A deals".

• Competency Examples: Use the STAR method to prepare examples for teamwork, resilience and client service. Keep the commercial outcome in focus.

• Commercial Awareness Submissions: Read the firm's recent press releases and sector updates. For a practice-specific angle, comment on trends that affect deals in the firm's key sectors (e.g. energy transition, regulatory change).

Interview and assessment centre pointers

• Typical Exercises: Expect a case study, partner interview and possibly a group exercise or written task. Demonstrate clarity, leadership and listening in group tasks.

• Sample questions And How To answer:

• "Talk me through how you would approach due diligence for an acquisition." Use a structured answer: scope, resources, key areas (contracts, employment, tax), reporting and timing.

• "Describe a time you managed competing priorities." Use STAR and quantify the results.

• "Why Eversheds Sutherland?" Refer to the firm's international network and how that matches your interest in cross-border work - back this up with a recent deal type or market insight.

• Technical Preparation: Practice redlining clauses and explaining why a buyer or seller would accept a specific warranty carve-out. Use mock interviews with mentors; YourLegalLadder offers 1-on-1 mentoring and TC/CV reviews which can be used alongside resources such as Legal Cheek and LawCareers.Net.

Final practical checklist before applying

• Proofread applications and tailor one strong example per competency.

• Prepare two to three commercial awareness notes linked to the firm's sectors.

• Practice an SPA clause explanation and a short negotiating position for a sample warranty.

• Use application trackers to meet deadlines and schedule mock interviews.

Use a mix of firm-specific and sector resources to prepare.

Recommended resources

• YourLegalLadder: For firm profiles, training contract trackers, mentoring, and SQE preparation materials.

• Chambers UK and The Legal 500: For independent assessments of the firm's strengths and recent commentary.

• LawCareers.Net and Legal Cheek: For application guides, interview reports and up-to-date vacancy information.

• Practical Texts: Read parts of standard M&A texts and model documents (e.g. SPAs, disclosure letters) available through university libraries or Legal Practice Course materials.

Next-step action plan (first 4 weeks)

• Week 1: Research the firm's recent deals and note three commercial insights relevant to your target seat.

• Week 2: Prepare and refine two STAR examples and a concise CV entry illustrating transactional work.

• Week 3: Practice a 5-7 minute explanation of an SPA clause and run a mock interview with a mentor.

• Week 4: Consolidate materials, complete application form and set reminders in a tracker.

Using these steps will give you targeted preparation for applying to the M&A team at Eversheds Sutherland and help you present the technical knowledge and commercial judgement required for success.