Solicitor (Disputes)

Buro Happold's Commercial and Legal team are currently recruiting for an Associate Solicitor to be based in our Bath office and work between the office and home as appropriate.

This full-time role represents an excellent opportunity for a mid to senior level Solicitor specialising in disputes to join a talented and friendly team. This position offers an excellent salary, many incredible benefits, and the opportunity to explore flexible working arrangements.

You will work with several other disputes lawyers in the team to take ownership of the legal advice and support relating to claims, disputes and notifications provided to the quickly growing, exciting and in-demand offering of the Buro Happold global business. Your activities will also contribute to mitigating commercial and contractual risks associated with Buro Happold's global portfolio of projects.

Here at Buro Happold, expect the exceptional.

From the projects you will work on to the clients we work with. From career-defining opportunities to an inclusive and diverse practice where we all contribute to a more equitable world. From our reputation to our relationships. Wherever your Buro Happold career takes you, it’ll be anything but ordinary.

Your next role

Join us and be surrounded by exceptional opportunities in an environment alive with innovation and possibility. Your new team has a willingness and curiosity to see possibility and potential in everything – from the most iconic projects to our everyday conversations.

This is an extraordinary opportunity to contribute to our fantastic Commercial and Legal team.

Buro Happold has a clear strategic plan, excellent learning culture and entrepreneurial mindset that will allow you to thrive.

You’ll be part of something bigger than us all where sustainability, equity, social and performance outcomes matter. Buro Happold is committed to doing the right thing, even when that’s the hardest thing. This is a genuine opportunity to make impact - and leave real legacy.

Key Duties

• Advising upon and assisting to ensure relevant corporate governance rules are adhered to.
• Advising the business on contentious matters likely to impact the business and establishing action plans focusing on opportunities to provide commercial and legal solutions that add value or mitigate risk;
• Supporting the business with defending claims and disputes (including appropriate liaisons with insurers in managing these claims and disputes) including carrying out negotiations, preparation of pre-action correspondence and working with senior members of the team to compile appropriate strategy in dealings with the claims and disputes;
• Management of claims in the business unit and feeding into the wider UK and global position on managing and mitigating project risks;
• Ensuring that senior team members are equipped to report effectively to the senior board on the status of ongoing disputes;
• Assisting with developing, and implementing, systems and procedures to enhance efficiency of the Commercial and Legal Team and the company as a whole;
• Providing general ad-hoc legal and commercial advice and support as required;
• Assisting with provision of training to the wider business on a range of general commercial and contractual topics;
• Working collaboratively and liaising with other business service functions where necessary to ensure the overall aim of the Buro Happold strategy can be met and at all times taking an inclusive joined up approach to tackling issues;
• Performing other duties and responsibilities as required.

Your skills & experience

• Legally qualified with 2-6 years of post-qualification experience.
• Expertise in construction law disputes is required, and experience in construction insurance matters is preferable.
• Dispute resolution experience (both formal and informal) combined with dispute negotiation skills.
• Experience in advising upon contract management and dispute avoidance.
• Presentation skills.
• A commercial mindset and the ability to work as part of a team and cooperate effectively with colleagues to achieve the goals of the service are also essential.

What we offer

Bring your knowledge and expertise to one of the world’s most respected consultancies.

• Hybrid working arrangements.
• Attractive salary and benefits package including life assurance, private medical cover, car allowance, and income protection.
• Holiday entitlement of 25 days per annum (exclusive of bank holidays) and flexible holiday arrangements.
• Generous company pension scheme.
• Flexible benefits including cycle scheme, dental insurance, optical cover, travel insurance, season ticket loans, and corporate discounts.
• Enhanced parenthood leave policies.
• 3pm finish on the last Friday of the month.
• A strong commitment to your continuous development. Whatever stage in your career, we have a learning and development programme that will enable and empower you.
• Entitlement to two memberships to professional bodies or subscriptions
• A commitment to your wellbeing through a comprehensive employee assistance programme and wellbeing activities A supportive and inclusive environment that will welcome you through social and outreach activities from the Young Employees Forum to mentoring.
• An international culture that wherever your career takes you at Buro Happold, you won’t be far from the exceptional.

At Buro Happold, everyone else’s extraordinary is just our everyday.

Apply today and be a part of our legacy.

A place for everyone

Buro Happold values an individual's flexible approaches to working patterns as an important part of how you work and achieve balance. We welcome applications from those who are seeking flexibility in their careers.

Our exceptional portfolio of projects is the result of the diversity of thought, identities, backgrounds, and experiences that shape us. Appreciating each other’s differences is key, we want employees to feel they don’t have to mask elements of their identity to thrive.

We are working to change the lack of representation of marginalised groups in the built environment. We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who feels they are underrepresented in the industry. We have much to learn from one another. Embracing differences allows us to develop the most innovative and elegant solutions.

Please let us know if there are any adjustments we could make to the application process to make it easier and more comfortable for you. Contact [email protected] so we can work with you to support you throughout your application.