Birketts is a full service, UK Top 50 law firm. With a heritage spanning 160 years, we have more than 700 lawyers and legal professionals based in Cambridge, Chelmsford, Ipswich, London, Norwich, Sevenoaks and soon to be Bristol. Birketts has operated a ‘hub’ in Bristol since January 2021, which has acted as a collaborative space for the Southwest-based Partners and lawyers. In line with the firm’s growth strategy and reflecting the dynamic Southwest economy, the firm will establish a full-service presence in Bristol in autumn 2024, providing business and private client services across the region, as well as in the UK and internationally.
We advise businesses, government and public sector organisations and individuals in the UK and internationally across four principal practice groups: property, corporate services, litigation and private client advisory. We are defined by our Next Level Law proposition. We work with our clients as a proactive partner, horizon scanning and thinking ahead to the changes, challenges or opportunities that they may face.
Next Level Law is also applied to our people. Our collegiate culture means everyone is encouraged to achieve their next level in everything they do. RollOnFriday recently ranked us as the 5th best law firm to work at in 2024.
With our ambition to succeed, comes a strong desire to make a positive contribution to the communities we serve, and we are committed to delivering the objectives set out in our ESG strategy. Diversity plays an integral part in all that we do, with female partners comprising 40% of our partnership.
The department
Our Construction lawyers are experienced in dealing with both contentious and non-contentious construction matters, acting for a variety of both public and private sector clients, including further and higher education colleges, academies, local authorities, and NHS Trusts, as well as funders, developers, contractors, sub-contractors and consultants.
Coming from a range of backgrounds, including major City practices, national and regional firms, the depth and range of expertise means the team can work together in major and complex transactions and provide a sector-based offering for all our clients. There is a strong team ethos which also means there is support and opportunity across the spectrum, ensuring pastoral support at all levels, mentoring, regular communication and a clear route for advancement. The objective is that colleagues have a clear role but the opportunity to develop and make the role “their own”.
The team’s transactional work includes advising on industry standard form contracts (such as JCT, ICE, NEC, GC/Works, ACE, RIBA, RICS), as well as regularly preparing and advising on bespoke forms of contract, specialising in acting for both borrowers and lenders on the construction aspects of real estate finance transactions.
The team also has a buoyant and busy construction disputes practice, acting for a wide range of clients in relation to litigation, arbitration, adjudication and all forms of Alternative Dispute Resolution.
The team has a national reputation, ranking highly in the legal directories, but with an existing client base focused primarily around London, the M25 corridor and the East of England. With plans confirmed for our Bristol office opening, the Southeast is our next target area.
Purpose of job
We are seeking a Legal Director or Partner level Construction lawyer with a blended non-contentious and contentious skill set (but would also consider a specialist in either aspect) from a candidate who has +10 years PQE gained within a strong regional, national or City firm. The candidate would ideally have a proven track record of being work generative and of growing / leading a specialist construction team. You will ideally have an existing client base to transfer and be ready to grow a practice in the Bristol and surrounding areas.
Specialist experience of construction law across a broad range of matters is essential. Work includes advising on:
- Knowledge of the main standard form construction contracts, in particular JCT and NEC.
- General skills and experience in non-contentious / Transactional construction advice
- Contentious advice re the typical dispute resolution forums e.g. ADR, mediation, adjudication, arbitration, and litigation.
- Project support advice for other departments within the firm e.g. real estate, corporate etc.
You will ideally have demonstrable experience in a range of specialist sectors, such as:
- Energy, including renewables and nuclear
- Public sector, including local authorities
- Regeneration
- Infrastructure
- Social Housing
- Education
- Healthcare
- Housebuilders
- Supply chain e.g. Main contractors and Subcontractors.
The candidate
You will be entrepreneurial, enthusiastic, ambitious, energetic, and must have specialist expertise in construction law and confident in advising clients directly, to lead on your own matters and build a team of specialist construction lawyers in our new Bristol office over time.
You will be involved in a range of business development activities, including attending networking and other BD events, supporting on tenders/pitches, and writing sector-relevant articles for our own and external publications.
Strong technical drafting, research and communication skills, with good attention to detail and a commercial/pragmatic approach are essential qualities, as is the ability to deliver a strongly client-focussed service, giving clear, timely and practical legal advice on often complex, technical areas of construction law and regulation.
Equal opportunities
One of the best things about joining Birketts is our rewards package. At Birketts we are appreciative of the people who work for us, and our rewards package is reviewed regularly to reflect that. A competitive salary and benefits package is given but you can also expect a great team and supportive colleagues, a strong focus on diversity, inclusion and equal opportunities, a programme of wellbeing and mental health support and structured career development and study support.
https://www.birketts.co.uk/recognition-reward-benefits/
Highlighting:
- 30 days holiday (FTE) plus Bank Holidays
- Long Service holiday award – 1 extra week every 10 years continuous service
- Private Healthcare with BUPA (offered after probation is passed)
- Scottish Widows Pension Scheme (5% employer / 5% Employee)
- Staff Profit Share / Salary sacrifice (Pensions, Staff Profit Share)
- Life Assurance - 4 x salary / Permanent Health Insurance
- Paid ESG day (Environmental, Social and Governance)
- Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Leave
- Subsidised gym membership
- Electric car scheme
- Agile Working Policy
- Dress for your Day Policy
Partner Benefits Discussed At Interview Stage.
Birketts is a flexible business which has embraced a hybrid working model where our colleagues enjoy a mix of home and office working. We welcome applications from people looking for flexible, agile and part-time roles and we are happy to explore your preferred working patterns as part of your application
