Construction Disputes Principal Associate

Auston Legal Ltd; City Of London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Auston Legal Ltd. invites applications for a Principal Associate to lead its defence of construction PI claims, with a client base including insurers, MGAs and Lloyd's syndicates.

The role emphasizes managing high-value matters, supervising junior fee earners, and delivering exceptional client service. Ideal candidates will have extensive PI/PII experience, strong commercial acumen, and the ability to work within a collaborative team.

Qualifications

• 8+ years PQE in PI or related fields.
• Experience managing complex and high-value PI claims.
• Strong communication skills with commercial acumen.
• Lateral thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent interpersonal and team skills; ability to supervise others.
• Ability to work independently and within a wider team.
• Self-starting with initiative and adaptability.
• Strong client relationships and client management.

Responsibilities

• Defend construction professionals on PI claims.
• Advise insurers on construction coverage matters.
• Deliver exceptional client service.

Skills

PI claims management

8+ years PQE

Strong communication

Commercial acumen

Lateral thinking

Interpersonal & team skills

Supervise fee earners

Time/matter management

Initiative & adaptability

Client relationships

Job description

Our client is a large commercial practice known for its work across all premium insurance lines, including professional indemnity. The team have a strong client list, including insurance and corporate clients, and have achieved significant growth in recent years.

They have an exciting opportunity for a Principal Associate to join the Legal 500 Tier 1 Defendant Professional Indemnity team.

The Role:

The role focuses on defending construction professionals, including architects, engineers, contractors and consultants, on professional indemnity claims. The client base includes leading insurers, MGAs and Lloyd's syndicates.

The successful candidate will have strong experience in professional indemnity and/or commercial litigation, ideally gained in private practice or with a major insurer/MGA, together with solid experience advising insurers on construction coverage matters and delivering exceptional client service.

Key requirements:

• 8+ years PQE
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex and high-value professional indemnity claims
• Exceptional communication skills, coupled with strong commercial acumen
• Lateral thinking and problem-solving skills
• Excellent interpersonal and team skills, including ability to work with others, influence and persuade
• An enthusiasm for helping others to grow and develop and being able to supervise work of other fee earners
• Effective time and matter managementAbility to work both independently and collaboratively within a wider team structure
• Self-starting with the ability to take the initiative and adapt quickly to change
• Strong client relationship and client management skills