Senior Associate - Projects, Development and Construction

Overview

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP is a leading UK and international law firm which provides high quality legal advice tailored to both businesses and individuals. We address the specific objectives of each client through our flair and technical expertise and offer a personal service founded on a strong team ethic.

Today, we have UK offices in the City of London, Basingstoke, Birmingham, Cambridge, Guildford, Oxford and Reading while our overseas network stretches from Asia to Europe through our presence in Singapore, Piraeus, Paris and Madrid. With 130 partners and over 880 people in total, our main areas of practice are real estate, commercial, corporate, dispute resolution, private client and family.

The Projects, Development & Construction Team have established a strong reputation in a variety of sectors, particularly (in relation to this role) in real estate, housing & accommodation, property investment, commercial property, education, health, care, sustainability and renewables, and also work together with our technology and private wealth teams. Our lawyers are recognised for their expertise in procurement, construction, development and large scale projects, including JVs, regeneration and advising on renewables projects.  In these areas, we're acknowledged for our depth of expertise and market leading sector insight.

By joining forces with the partners and staff of Thomas Cooper in July 2019, we have added significant depth to our core practice. The move built on the expansion of our international, litigation and arbitration offerings and has introduced us to the maritime community and related infrastructure in which Thomas Cooper remains a key player.

Our continuing commitment to excellence is backed by a track record which dates back nearly 300 years.

Among our clients we count multi-national corporations, public companies, local and regional authorities, major developers and contractors, professional partnerships, banks and financial institutions as well as house builders, high net worth individuals and start-ups. We are conscious that our culture and close personal approach are vital assets and we are determined to maintain these whilst we continue to expand the team. 

Our broad international focus is supported by well-established links with law firms throughout the world. Penningtons Manches Cooper is also a member of Multilaw and the European Law Group, networks with representatives in an additional 100 countries, with many of our lawyers playing leading roles in such international bodies.

Responsibilities

Our specialist Projects, Development and Construction Team is a core element of the wider firm and provides a comprehensive range of construction law solutions across the wide spectrum of projects undertaken in the construction industry. Clients include public institutions, property owners and investors, developers, funders, contractors, specialist sub-contractors, suppliers and construction/design consultants and specialists.

At Penningtons Manches Cooper, we are involved with projects from the outset and work with clients to shape their procurement and contracting strategies. We negotiate and draft all types of construction, development and project documentation.

We help clients to prepare agreements that best reflect their interests and the appropriate sharing of risk. The work we undertake spans the full ambit of construction, development and infrastructure with a focus on regeneration schemes, accommodation sector projects, energy and renewables, healthcare, hotels and infrastructure. The contractual expertise we offer is based upon both ‘standard form’ contracts and bespoke arrangements, tailored to meet any project requirements. Although the JCT remains the most common form of contract we see, we also regularly advise on  EPC and EPCM contracts, NEC forms and on multi-party and partnering working arrangements and Joint Ventures. .

Our team also has extensive experience of advising on risks in live schemes, including on giving payment advice, advising on delays, fire stopping issues and preventing the failure of construction projects. This often links to analysing a contract to inform a client of its rights and responsibilities and suggesting next steps, and can cover such things as payment advice, challenging extensions of time requests  and (where necessary) issuing termination notices and advising on the consequences of termination and (more recently) issues around insolvency.

Most clients realise that formal disputes are to be avoided where possible though. As such, we are engaged to advise on live projects – generally to help avoid disputes and to shape commercial negotiations and deals. It is for this reason we are looking to fill a senior non contentious position at present.

Much of our focus is in the UK but we also advise on a range of international projects across many jurisdictions and work with our network of trusted international law firms and consultants where appropriate too.

As noted above, we are looking for a full time non contentious focused Senior Associate to join our team. The ideal candidate will be at least 6+ years qualified  and have previous experience of working within a construction team and managing Associates and a range of matters.  

The candidate will mainly have extensive experience of non-contentious construction law including all standard form construction contracts as well as bespoke arrangements and relevant sector experience.  Note: Development, Investor and/or housing and accommodation experience would be particularly welcome.

A solid knowledge of the various standard form contracts and appointments, including JCT, NEC and FIDIC forms, their standard amendments plus market commercial expectations and compromise positions is expected.  Further, we are looking for (and to encourage) applicants to be willing to take on more bespoke, complex agreements, large scale due diligence exercises and/or typical development arrangements, with appropriate supervision and support.

There will be opportunities to develop know how and get involved with BD also and, as such, a desire to know the sector and work we are involved in is extremely important

Experience of running matters, organising files and managing a varied workload is a requirement.  as is the ability to work well with and supervise and nurture more junior members of the team..

The role offers significant career progression opportunities for the right candidate, where the sky is the only limit.

The candidate, however, must importantly demonstrate the ability to work as a team player, be organised, be willing to get involved with a good spectrum of work and have a can do attitude with a view to maintaining the continued growth, success and dynamism of our successful and growing team.

Essential & Desirable Criteria

Finally, please note, the firm operates a hybrid agile working policy allowing employees to work from home (or another UK location) for at least 50% of their time and the Projects Development and Construction operates on a model of (currently) two ‘core days’ where there is an expectation of attendance within the London office. Individuals can however apply for other flexible working options either at the time of recruitment or during the course of their employment if desired.

At our firm, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is a priority and at the heart of everything we do. We actively want to attract a diverse workforce and welcome applications from everyone, from all backgrounds. We are committed to promoting an inclusive culture where everyone can be their full selves and experience being seen and heard. You can find out more about our firm’s commitment, initiatives and Pennclusion committees here.We ensure that there are equal opportunities and treatment for all job applicants and employees, at all stages of the recruitment process and employment, regardless of age, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, disability, race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and social background. We aim to provide adjustments for people who have a disability, long-term health condition (including mental health) or neurodiversity. If you would like to request an adjustment, please contact Emily.Green@penningtonslaw.com