Associate - Construction

Are you an experienced construction lawyer looking for a fresh challenge? Then this role may just be for you!

This is a fantastic opportunity to join our supportive and highly talented team to produce high quality legal services to clients on aspects non-contentious construction work.

What you will be doing:

• Providing assistance on a broad caseload of straightforward and complex matters
• Working with the team on our business development activities to attract new clients and develop relationships with existing clients
• Working closely with a range of clients to provide fast, pragmatic and commercial advice in correspondence and in person
• Attending client meetings, taking clients’ instructions and handling queries and enquiries efficiently
• Maintaining good file management
• Drafting documents, letters and contracts tailored to the client’s individual needs
• Negotiating with clients and other professionals to secure agreed objectives

What you will need:

• Previous experience working on non-contentious construction law and matters within a law firm. For this role, the primary focus is on non-contentious matters, but contentious work can be offered for the right candidate.
• Experience of drafting and negotiating amendments to standard form contracts (for example JCT/NEC) as well as bespoke forms of contract, appointments and collateral warranties on a variety of commercial and residential projects
• Experience of drafting and negotiating letters of reliance, letters of intent, bonds and parent company guarantees
• Experience of engrossing documents and dealing with execution formalities; preferably with experience using Docusign
• Experience of due diligence work in support of corporate, property finance and banking transactions
• Experience of reviewing construction obligations in agreements for lease and development funding agreements
• Proven experience working in a team environment, with strong commercial acumen
• Strong IT skills
• The ability to manage files effectively
• A willingness and enthusiasm to get involved in business development activities, ideally to able to demonstrate a proven track record of success in this area

Key competencies you will need:

• A desire to specialise in construction and engineering law
• To be personable with the ability to deal with a broad range of clients and build relationships with partners / key stakeholders
• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy
• A high degree of initiative and the ability to cope in a demanding environment
• Excellent organisational and prioritising skills
• Excellent communication skills
• A desire to enhance client relationships through day-to-day activity
• The ability to work in a busy team, as well as independently

About you – you will be:

• Highly motivated, willing to go the extra mile and be happy to go beyond the job description
• Respectful towards others and have a positive, willing and ‘can do’ attitude
• Keen to learn, interested in driving your own career progression and be proactive in taking ownership of this

Benefits, Agile Working and Additional information

We embrace agile working and offer a blended approach to where and how we work.

We appreciate that people have different needs and preferences and we’re keen to be flexible, after all, we value what you do, not where you do it.

We have hubs in Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Leicester, London, Milton Keynes, Nottingham, Solihull, Southampton, Stratford-upon-Avon, Lincoln and Sheffield.

Want to find out more about our amazing benefits?

Additional information:

Please be aware, for some vacancies, where we receive high numbers of applications we may need to bring the close date forward.

Due to the nature of the work undertaken, confirmation of employment will be subject to a variety of checks which will be carried out once an offer of employment is accepted. Details of the checks can be found here.

Equal opportunities

Shakespeare Martineau is a committed equal opportunities employer. We seek to attract, develop and retain talented people from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures. We value and respect individuality and encourage a culture within our business where people can be themselves and be valued for their strengths and experiences. Everyone who either applies to or works for the firm is treated equally, regardless of their gender, age, ethnic origin, nationality, marital status, sexual orientation or religious beliefs.

About Shakespeare Martineau

Welcome to Shakespeare Martineau, where we're more than just a full-service law firm. With over 1100 specialists, including lawyers and business support professionals, we're committed to unlocking potential in our people and clients, inspiring confidence, growth, and development.

Our purpose is clear: we provide creative solutions and advice that help individuals and businesses achieve their commercial and personal goals. But what truly sets us apart is our focus on building lasting relationships and championing our clients, ensuring they receive the best possible business and personal advice.

At Shakespeare Martineau, it's our people who make us special. We understand what our team members want and give them the support they need to succeed. Recognising everyone's contribution and harnessing the unique power of teams, we work together to achieve success.

Diversity is at the heart of our firm. We actively build and develop diverse teams, bringing together different backgrounds, personalities, and perspectives to deliver amazing solutions for our clients. We believe in playing to our strengths, constantly striving to improve, and empowering our teams with individual responsibility for their own learning and growth.

Join us at Shakespeare Martineau and become a valued member of a team where we unlock your potential, appreciate your contributions, and achieve success together.

As part of Ampa, we are part of a large multi-brand group, all of our brands are linked by a shared purpose and set of values that brings about a positive, inclusive and diverse work culture - helping everyone achieve their ambitions.