Contentious Construction Associate

Construction & Engineering Lawyer

Location: Leeds (Hybrid working supported)

Salary: £50,000-£90,000 + Extensive Benefits

Experience required: 1-8 Years PQE

Join a specialist team of 30 construction law experts in a UK Top 50 law firm and work with some of the best-known names in the construction and engineering industry.

Our client, a leading UK Top 50 full-service commercial law firm with 13 offices across the UK, is seeking passionate Construction & Engineering Lawyers to join their nationally recognised construction team. This is an exceptional opportunity to handle both front-end project work and complex dispute resolution across diverse sectors, working with public and private sector clients including employers, contractors, and consultants.

If you're an ambitious construction lawyer with 1-8 years' PQE looking for a role that offers genuine career progression, excellent training and development, and the chance to work on high-quality, complex matters within a supportive national team, this could be your perfect next move.

About the Role

As a Construction & Engineering Lawyer, you'll manage a varied and intellectually stimulating caseload, handling contentious construction work across multiple sectors. You'll work collaboratively within a specialist team of 30 construction law experts, developing your own caseload with support from experienced senior lawyers whilst building strong client relationships and contributing to the team's continued growth.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Handling contentious construction work across infrastructure, commercial and residential buildings, offices, retail, logistics, and production facilities
• Managing adjudication proceedings and Technology and Construction Court (TCC) cases
• Working with public and private sector clients including employers, contractors, and consultants
• Developing your own caseload with support from an experienced national team of 30 construction specialists
• Contributing to business development and client management activities
• Advising on complex construction disputes including delay claims, defects, payment disputes, and professional negligence
• Drafting and negotiating construction contracts and project documentation
• Working on both front-end project work and dispute resolution matters
• Building and maintaining strong client relationships across diverse sectors
• Collaborating with colleagues across 13 UK offices on national and regional matters

This role offers excellent variety, working with high-profile clients on complex construction and engineering projects, with genuine autonomy and support from a nationally recognised team.

What We're Looking For

• Essential Requirements:
• Qualified Solicitor or Legal Executive with 1-8 years' PQE in construction law
• Experience in contentious construction work or a mix of contentious and advisory work
• Strong commercial acumen and understanding of the construction industry
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with ability to build strong client relationships
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment whilst managing competing priorities
• Enthusiasm for construction law and commitment to delivering exceptional client service
• Confident with case management systems and IT packages
• Ability to work independently whilst contributing to a supportive team environment

Desirable:

• Experience with adjudication and TCC litigation
• Knowledge of standard form construction contracts (JCT, NEC, FIDIC)
• Experience advising on infrastructure or major commercial projects
• Track record of business development or networking activities
• Understanding of construction industry technical issues and project delivery

Exceptional Benefits Package

Our client is committed to being an employer of choice and offers an outstanding benefits package that reflects their genuine care for employee wellbeing and work-life balance:

Financial Rewards:

• Competitive salary, depending on experience - £50,000-£90,000 
• Enhanced pension scheme with generous employer contributions
• Performance-related bonus scheme
• Life assurance and income protection for peace of mind

Work-Life Balance:

• Hybrid working arrangements with flexible working policy
• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Flexible working arrangements and family-friendly policies
• Enhanced parental leave and support for working parents

Wellbeing & Development:

• Comprehensive professional development and training support
• Clear career progression opportunities within a growing national team
• Active encouragement of business development with dedicated support
• Mentoring from experienced construction law specialists
• Access to cutting-edge legal technology and resources
• Employee wellbeing programmes and support services

Culture & Community:

• Supportive, friendly team environment across 13 UK offices
• Collaborative culture with regular team meetings and social events
• Opportunity to work with some of the best-known names in construction and engineering
• Holistic approach with corporate-level service delivery
• Client-focused culture that puts relationships at the heart of practice

Location & Working Arrangements

• Based: Leeds
• Working Pattern: Full-time with flexible working policy
• Hybrid Working: Supported with agile working arrangements
• Accessibility: All offices have excellent transport links and modern facilities

Our client's offices provide contemporary, professional working environments with all the facilities and support you need to excel in your role whilst maintaining excellent work-life balance.

About Our Client

Our client is a UK Top 50 full-service commercial law firm with 13 offices across the UK, including Birmingham, Bristol, Derby, Glasgow, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Nottingham, Oxford, and Sheffield. With over 200 partners and more than 1,000 staff members, they are a growing, ambitious firm that puts clients at the heart of their practice.

Their Construction & Engineering team comprises approximately 30 specialist lawyers who cover both the "front end" of projects (drafting and negotiating contracts) and dispute resolution. The team is recognised in Chambers and Legal 500 for their expertise across key industry sectors including retail, energy, hospitality, utilities, infrastructure, and commercial development.

The firm prides itself on building long-term client relationships by being outcome-driven, commercially focused, and delivering exceptional service. Their construction team works with an impressive client base including major contractors, developers, employers, consultants, and public sector organisations across the UK.

The firm's culture is vital to their ongoing success – they genuinely care for their employees and provide excellent training, development, and progression opportunities. Their collaborative approach means you'll have access to expertise across 13 offices and the support of a national team of 30 construction specialists.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you're an experienced Construction & Engineering Lawyer looking for a role with a UK Top 50 firm, exceptional training and development, and genuine career progression within a nationally recognised team, we'd love to hear from you.

For a confidential discussion about this exciting opportunity, please contact:

Lee Hawthorne-Finch or lee.hawthorne--