Professional Support Lawyer (Real Estate Construction)

The Vacancy

What can you expect?

The role of the Professional Support Lawyer (PSL) is to lead our strategic initiatives, drive excellence in legal service delivery, and play a pivotal role in building and nurturing client relationships. The PSL will combine deep legal expertise with a strategic mindset to identify and capitalise on market opportunities, enhance client engagement, and drive sustainable growth for the firm.

The Team

Operating out of our London and Manchester offices, the Construction & Projects team consists of 5 partners, 17 fee earners and trainees and paralegals incorporating non-contentious and contentious practitioners. The team sits within our Real Estate department, which consists of 20 partners, 32 fee-earners and trainees and paralegals and works closely with our Dispute Resolution department (including the International Arbitration team), which consists of 23 partners, 26 fee earners and trainees and paralegals.

The team works against the backdrop of the firm's sectors, with focuses on infrastructure, energy and natural resources, development, education and leisure both domestically and internationally. We act for contractors, developers, owners, end-users, government bodies, lenders and consultants.

Our team is valued for its responsiveness, commercial focus and in-depth market knowledge. As a team they work flexibly with a balance of working in the office and at home.

Responsibilities

Strategic Legal Research and Analysis:

• Conduct strategic legal research and analysis to identify emerging trends, opportunities, and risks in the construction and infrastructure landscape, providing actionable insights to inform firm-wide strategy and client engagement.

• Proactively anticipate future legal developments and market trends, advising senior leadership on potential implications and opportunities for the firm's growth and differentiation.

Knowledge Management Leadership:

• Overview of the development and implementation of a comprehensive knowledge management strategy aligned with the firm's strategic priorities, leveraging technology and best practices to enhance knowledge sharing, collaboration, and innovation across the firm.

• Drive the development of cutting-edge knowledge resources, including artificial intelligence tools, legal databases, and industry insights, to empower lawyers to deliver value-added services and stay ahead of the curve.

• Create and manage the department's precedents.

Thought Leadership, Client Engagement & Client Relationship Management:

• Spearhead thought leadership initiatives, including the creation of white papers, industry reports, and client briefings, to position the firm as a thought leader in key practice areas and drive client engagement and retention.

• Cultivate strategic relationships with key clients and industry stakeholders, leveraging insights and expertise to anticipate client needs, deliver innovative solutions, and enhance the firm's reputation and market position.

• Partner with lawyers and business development teams to develop and execute client relationship management strategies, including client satisfaction surveys, client feedback programs, and client entertainment events, to deepen relationships and drive client loyalty.

Document Automation and AI Integration:

• Lead the assessment and implementation of document automation and AI technologies to streamline legal workflows, improve efficiency, and reduce manual tasks across practice areas.

Professional Development and Mentorship:

• Champion a culture of continuous learning and professional development, designing and delivering bespoke training programs, workshops, and knowledge-sharing sessions to equip lawyers with the skills, knowledge, and tools needed to excel in a rapidly evolving legal landscape.
• Provide strategic mentorship and guidance to lawyers at all levels, fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment that encourages creativity, innovation, and excellence.
• Design, deliver and/ or co-ordinate training sessions, workshops, and presentations to educate lawyers on legal developments, procedural updates, and best practices.
• Provide individual coaching and support to lawyers seeking guidance on complex legal matters or professional development opportunities.
• Collaborate with practice group leaders to identify training needs and develop tailored programs (with external providers as appropriate) to address them.

Experience and Knowledge

• Qualified solicitor in England and Wales with a distinguished track record of success and leadership in commercial law practice.
• A proven expertise and depth of knowledge within the construction sector, gained through experience or practicing in the relevant specialism.
• Extensive experience in strategic legal research, knowledge management, document automation, AI integration, and technology innovation within a reputable law firm or professional services environment.
• Exceptional strategic thinking, analytical prowess, and problem-solving skills, with a proven ability to anticipate and navigate complex legal and business challenges.
• Strong leadership and influencing skills, with the ability to inspire and mobilize cross-functional teams to achieve shared goals and objectives.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills, with a demonstrated ability to engage and influence diverse audiences, including clients, colleagues, and industry stakeholders.

Who are we looking for?

• We don't have a type. We believe our differences are our strength and varied cultures, approaches and life experiences can only benefit us.

What do we offer you?

• You can be yourself: It takes everyone to make us who we are. We’re a culture of diverse perspectives, with each of us making unique contributions that make us better together.
• In the office or WFH?: We think the best balance is more time in the office than at home so we operate a 60:40 rule.
• Beyond salary: We offer plenty of benefits; private medical insurance, health cash plan, dental insurance, life assurance, critical illness insurance, matched pension contributions up to 7%, holiday trading, plus many more. Visit: Reward & Benefits ¦ Fieldfisher.
• Modern Office Space: Based in the thriving City of London, which has something for everyone. Offering excellent commuter links based a 5-minute walk away from Bank tube station.
• Nurturing your talent: You will take a 'build a career' approach to your training. You'll be on a pathway but free to wander occasionally if you see something you'd like to study more closely.
• Funnel your interests: You have a life outside work, and we can help it to flourish. Join clubs, affinity networks, inclusive events, and pro bono or charity initiatives.

Inclusion is not exclusive:

If all our differences are highlighted, no-one stands out for being different. At Fieldfisher, all our rich diversity is celebrated. Everybody is included.

We will provide you with the equipment to allow you to shine, at interview and beyond. Just let us know what you need.

For accessibility information on our offices, visit: Accessing Fieldfisher London ¦ Fieldfisher ¦ Fieldfisher

What to do next:

• Click 'Apply Now', complete an online application and upload a CV.
• Successful applications will be invited to a 20–30-minute introductory call with a recruiter.
• Every role recruits differently. But we'll always let you know what to expect from the process, so you get no nasty surprises.
• For hybrid opportunities, you'll be invited to visit our offices for a face-to-face meeting.
• We try to make sure the process takes around 2-3 weeks only, but we can't always promise that. We will work around everyone's availability. You can contact us at recruitmenthr@fieldfisher.com.

We recruit on a rolling basis. Your application may be reviewed before the application deadline. We accept applications until we have filled the role.

The Firm

We are not a UK firm with offices in Europe. We are a European law firm at our core. While our HQ is London, we are spreading across Europe at pace. In addition to UK, China and Silicon Valley we have offices in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, and Spain.

With 1,800 people across 28 offices across 14 countries you might expect an impersonal office culture, but you will find a homely, family feel even in the largest offices.

Quality on both sides

Across all our offices and jurisdictions are market-leading practices in corporate/M&A, finance, real estate, energy and natural resources, technology and life sciences.

We count as clients large corporations including major technology firms, pharmaceutical and life sciences companies, energy suppliers, infrastructure companies, global banks and financial institutions.

We aim to ensure equality of opportunity and are actively working towards improving the diversity of our staff. Applications will be considered on merit and the applicant's suitability to meet the requirements of the role.