Senior Associate solicitor - Construction (Non-contentious)

London

Top 100 city firm

The Opportunity

A top City law firm with a highly regarded construction practice is looking to appoint a Senior Associate (6+ PQE) to join its growing London team.

This is an excellent opportunity for an established construction lawyer to take on a senior role within a collaborative and ambitious practice, working on a broad range of high-value development and construction matters.

The team advises clients throughout the construction lifecycle, from initial feasibility, planning and design through to procurement, delivery and completion. It works closely with colleagues across real estate, banking, corporate, insolvency, tax and disputes to provide clients with a genuinely integrated service.

The role is principally focused on non-contentious construction, although exposure to contentious construction work would also be advantageous.

The Role

As a Senior Associate, you will:

• Lead complex non-contentious construction matters with a high degree of autonomy.
• Act as a trusted day-to-day adviser to clients, providing technically excellent and commercially focused advice.
• Draft, review and negotiate industry-standard and bespoke construction documentation.
• Advise on procurement strategy and implementation, including traditional, design & build, EPC and management contracting structures.
• Draft and negotiate pre-construction agreements, enabling works contracts, building and engineering contracts and related project documentation.
• Prepare and negotiate consultant appointments, framework agreements and professional team documentation.
• Advise on risk allocation, insurance, payment provisions and performance security, including bonds, guarantees, collateral warranties and third-party rights.
• Advise on development agreements, forward funding arrangements, agreements for lease, development management agreements and other development-related documentation.
• Work across a range of sectors including residential, commercial, hospitality, logistics, healthcare, later living and wider development projects.
• Work closely with colleagues across the wider firm to deliver a coordinated service aligned with client objectives.
• Supervise, mentor and develop junior lawyers.
• Build and strengthen client relationships and contribute to business development and profile-raising initiatives.
• Support partners with matter management, resourcing and the continued development of the practice.

The Clients

You will have the opportunity to act for a broad range of sophisticated clients, including property developers, institutional investors, asset and investment managers, banks and other funders, housebuilders, occupiers, contractors, consultants, designers, private investors and individuals.

Candidate Profile

The successful candidate is likely to have:

• Qualification as a solicitor in England & Wales.
• 6+ years' PQE , or equivalent experience.
• Strong experience within a recognised construction practice, predominantly gained in private practice.
• A strong background in non-contentious construction .
• Excellent knowledge of construction law, procurement structures and the commercial considerations affecting development projects.
• Strong drafting and negotiation experience, with particular expertise in JCT documentation essential.
• Familiarity with NEC, FIDIC or other standard forms would be advantageous.
• The ability to run complex matters independently and exercise sound commercial judgement.
• Excellent client-management and communication skills.
• Experience supervising and developing junior lawyers.
• A proactive approach to business development and relationship building.
• Strong drafting, analytical, organisational and project-management skills.

The Firm

This is an opportunity to join a well-established, highly regarded City law firm with a strong reputation across its core practice areas.

The firm offers a collaborative and collegiate environment, combining the resources and quality of a leading City practice with a supportive culture and genuine opportunities for progression.

The construction team is busy and growing, with an interesting client base and a strong pipeline of work.

The firm offers a competitive overall package, including a strong salary and pension provision, generous annual leave with the option to purchase additional days, life assurance and income protection, private medical and dental cover from day one, enhanced parental leave and a range of employee wellbeing and support initiatives. There are also bonus and referral schemes available, alongside a genuinely collaborative working environment.

The firm is committed to diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from candidates from all backgrounds.