Solicitor

NQ Solicitor

Dispute Resolution & Risk / Contentious Construction

About Brodies

At Brodies LLP, we value and respect all colleagues as individuals. As a UK law firm headquartered in Scotland, we believe that the experiences and perspectives of a diverse workforce that reflects our communities, and the clients we serve, allows us to see the world through many lenses.

As the largest firm in our jurisdiction measured by income, directory rankings, and lawyer numbers, the progress we continue to make is testament to the commitment of our colleagues.

In the last three years, our firm's revenue has grown by 20%, and we have welcomed almost 100 new colleagues. Today, we have more than 800 colleagues and offices in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, London, Abu Dhabi and Brussels.

JOB PURPOSE

We currently have an exciting opportunity for an NQ Solicitor to join our Construction and Engineering Team in Edinburgh.

The team provides a full-service advisory and dispute resolution service to clients from across the construction industry and is regularly involved in the most complex, high value construction disputes in Scotland. It also advises on disputes in England and Wales and Northern Ireland.

In this role, you will work closely with the partners advising clients in both the public and private sectors including developers, contractors, consultants, insurers and funders. You will have the opportunity to be involved in a wide variety of work including contentious claims and insurance disputes across a range of formal dispute proceedings including mediation, adjudication, litigation and arbitration.

The work is interesting, seldom straightforward and you will need to be able to understand the commercial reasons behind the legal work you will be doing. You will work closely with existing clients and be part of the continuing efforts of the team to win new clients and business.

In addition, our role offers clear career paths and significant opportunities for career advancement.

CORE TASKS

• Assisting more senior members of staff in the following ways:
• Reviewing, analysing and providing opinions on all forms of construction contracts and supporting documentation.
• Compilation of evidence from client papers and witness statements to analyse factual position in a dispute.
• Legal analysis of the client’s position in light of the evidence prepared.
• Advising the client of the merits of their position and providing strategic advice on the most appropriate and cost-effective way to bring about a resolution. Reporting regularly to clients on progress and keeping strategy under review.
• Drafting pleadings and submissions.
• Appearing in Court, mediation, adjudication, expert determination, and arbitration, acting as advocate on behalf of the client.
• Negotiating settlements.
• Supporting and developing the team’s marketing initiatives including drafting articles and presenting at seminars.
• Maintaining good financial management of cases.
• Assisting in the training of the team’s trainee.
• Where asked to do so, support the integration of AI tools into legal workflows and tasks and collaborate with others to identify opportunities for AI driven efficiency and innovation in our services.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

• Works effectively with other team members, and able to work as part of a team on larger cases.
• Represents clients in Court of Session and Sheriff Court.
• Involved in alternative forms of dispute resolution.
• Works to understand the practice area’s key clients, the industry they operate in and the challenges they face.
• Can work efficiently and to tight deadlines.
• Has strong drafting skills and works in a logical and manner.
• Provides client advice that is well presented and tailored to their needs.
• Maintains regular contact with the clients and shows understanding of the priorities for the client.
• Communicates in a confident, clear and relaxed way.
• Displays an interest and enthusiasm for contentious construction work.
• Demonstrates the Brodies values at all times - Courage, Character, Care, Collegiate, Collaborative.
• Has a proactive interest in legal technology and emerging AI applications, with a willingness to learn and share insights.

SKILLS

• Self-motivated and driven
• Prepared, organised and able to prioritise
• Applied knowledge
• Commercial and profit focus
• Conduct and communication skills

At Brodies LLP, we value and respect all colleagues as individuals. The experiences and perspectives of a diverse workforce that reflects our communities, and the clients we serve, allow us to see the world through many lenses.