Associate - Planning

Location/s

Birmingham, Exeter, London, Manchester

Experience Level

Intermediate

Term

Permanent

Working Hours

Full Time

Practice Area / Department

Planning and Environmental

Trowers & Hamlins is a City-led, international and national law firm with over 170 partners and 1000 staff. With offices across the UK, Middle East and Asia. Our global footprint is further enhanced by our strategic partnership with Interlaw which works to facilitate our management of multi-jurisdictional matters. We have leading practices in Corporate, Litigation, Tax, Banking and Finance, Real Estate and Private Wealth.

We've always been proud of our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and value the variety of our partnership. We are different and we believe it is our people that make us unique. We expect and respect that you and your talents are too. Our strategic direction is shaped by a desire to grow our business in a way that is responsible and sustainable and has the principles of ESG at its core, guiding the way we operate firmwide.

Who we are

Our Planning Team acts for a full range of clients in both the private and public sectors. We work closely with colleagues in our leading Public Sector, Real Estate, Construction and Corporate teams providing our clients with the best and most commercial advice, irrespective of market sector. We advise on all contentious and non-contentious aspects of the planning and environmental regimes.

Our team has grown significantly over the last six years. We are based in London, Exeter and Manchester. Not resting on our laurels, our business plan foresees continued growth over the next five years. We have plans to strengthen our practice in London and the regions and an exciting opportunity has now arisen for an Associate to join our national practice. Working seamlessly with colleagues and clients across the country, you will support the London partner Jacqueline Backhaus and the regional partners, Rory Stracey and Amanda Stubbs. Most importantly, however, the opportunity is for you to assist in the future development of the firm's planning offering both inside and outside of London. You will have significant opportunity to develop a strong practice.

Some of the team's high profile and significant matters that have been watched closely by the sector include:

• Regeneration of Meridian Water – 10,000 homes acting for the London Borough of Enfield;
• Regeneration of land in Cheltenham creating a new mixed-use development linked to GCHQ – Golden Valley.
• Regeneration of Land West of Ifield for 10,000 new homes acting for Homes England.
• Relocation of the Museum of London into Smithfield.
• Estates regeneration in Merton – Leading on planning, environmental and CPO for 4500 new homes.
• Regeneration of Ham Close in Richmond acting for Richmond Housing Partnership.
• Leading planning appeal in Chelsea for Estate regeneration project for 400 new homes.
• Leading planning and environmental matters for an innovative self-build scheme in Cherwell for 1900 homes.
• Advising on planning and environmental aspects of Energy to Waste plants in Cambridge and North Yorkshire.
• Acting for many Registered Providers
• Acting for Historic England

What you will be doing

• Complex planning applications – legal reviews and strategic advice
• Section106 agreements
• Section 278 agreements
• General planning advice in respect of major development schemes in the waste sector, the affordable housing sector, as well as the private developer sector
• Acting for planning authorities and registered providers in relation to CPO work
• Enforcement issues and public inquiry work
• Planning due diligence on commercial and corporate transactions
• Building and maintaining effective client relationships
• Active participation in marketing initiatives
• Ensuring files are managed in compliance with Lexcel procedures
• Participating in firm-wide and departmental training sessions
• Training and development of junior legal staff and secretary (where appropriate)

What you will need

The firm has a Career Development Framework which sets out the competencies we expect of those at the Associate grade. In particular for this role we require:

• Proven ability to take on responsibility and manage files, independently where appropriate;
• Qualified solicitor with up to 5 years' experience in planning work.
• Strong academic record
• Exceptional technical legal skills with meticulous attention to detail
• Unwavering client focus with a track record of superior service delivery
• Sharp commercial awareness and strategic thinking capabilities
• Natural credibility and gravitas in client-facing situations
• Methodical, disciplined and highly organised approach to complex matters
• Outstanding communication skills across all mediums and audiences

Join a team where your expertise shapes the future of planning law. At Trowers & Hamlins, you'll benefit from structured career development, mentorship from industry leaders, and the opportunity to work on market-defining projects whilst building your reputation as a planning law expert in a supportive, ambitious environment.

Trowers & Hamlins is an equal opportunities employer and values equity, diversity and inclusion. All applications will be considered on merit and the applicant's suitability to meet the requirements of the role and will be treated equally irrespective of Ethnicity, Gender (including Trans and non-binary) Race, Disability, Religion and sexual orientation.

If you require any further information on any of our vacancies or would like to discuss any adjustments or additional support that you might need either during the recruitment process or after the offer stage, please feel free to contact our recruitment team on [email protected]

As part of our firm recruitment policy our candidates are subject to employment screening background checks. These checks include personal details, education and employment history, professional qualifications and credit and criminal checks as appropriate.