Construction & Engineering (Contentious) Partner Opportunity

Think Legal Recruitment; Newcastle upon Tyne; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious North East law firm in Newcastle seeks a Construction & Engineering Partner to lead and develop their contentious construction team. This role requires 8+ years PQE in construction disputes with strong business development skills. The firm offers a competitive salary plus profit share and individual bonuses, alongside various benefits including dedicated support and flexibility in managing workloads.

Benefits

Profit Share Scheme

Individual Bonus Scheme

Comprehensive benefits package including pension contributions

Qualifications

• Experience managing junior lawyers is desirable.
• Existing client following or professional network is a plus.
• Track record in team development is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Leading contentious construction matters including adjudication, litigation, and dispute resolution.
• Managing and developing an existing associate solicitor specialising in construction disputes.
• Growing the contentious construction client base through active business development.

Skills

Adjudication processes

Business development

Client relationship building

Education

8+ years PQE in construction and engineering dispute resolution

Job description

Overview

Construction & Engineering (Contentious) Partner Opportunity

Award-Winning North East Law Firm

Location: Newcastle/Cumbria/Teesside (Agile Working Available)

Salary: Competitive + Profit Share & Individual Bonus Schemes

PQE: 8+ Years in Construction Disputes

The Opportunity

An exceptional opportunity has arisen for an experienced construction disputes lawyer to join a prestigious North East law firm as a Salaried Partner in their expanding Construction & Engineering team. You could already be a Partner or a Senior Associate looking for the next big step in your career.

This forward-thinking law firm is seeking a talented professional to lead and develop their contentious construction offering, working alongside an established team of partners and fee earners, while having the freedom to build and shape their own practice area.

About the Role

What You'll Be Doing:

• Leading contentious construction matters including adjudication, litigation and dispute resolution
• Managing and developing an existing associate solicitor specialising in construction disputes
• Growing the contentious construction client base through active business development
• Working collaboratively with the firm's established non-contentious construction team
• Building and recruiting your own specialist team over time

Current Workload:

The firm has experienced steady growth in construction and engineering disputes over the past 3 years, with sufficient work currently sustaining a dedicated associate-level fee earner and providing additional work for the disputes team. There's clear opportunity for expansion with the right leadership.

What We're Looking For

Essential Requirements:

• 8+ years PQE in construction and engineering dispute resolution
• Extensive experience in adjudication processes
• Currently operating at Senior Associate level or above
• Strong willingness to engage in business development
• Proven ability to build client relationships

Desirable:

• Existing client following or professional network
• Experience managing junior lawyers
• Track record in team development

Remuneration & Benefits

Salary: Competitive

Structure: Salaried Partner role (no buy-in required)

Additional Benefits:

• Profit Share Scheme - percentage of salary based on fee income achieved
• Individual Bonus Scheme - discretionary rewards for exceptional contribution
• Comprehensive benefits package including pension contributions
• Option to pay profit share directly into pension fund

The Support You'll Receive

• Dedicated associate solicitor with exclusive contentious construction focus
• Access to 3 experienced construction solicitors (18 months - 5 years PQE)
• Trainee/apprentice support
• Freedom to recruit additional specialist fee earners
• Full backing from established disputes resolution team
• Flexible approach to fee earning vs business development time

Market Opportunity

The construction disputes market in the North East has shown consistent growth, with increasing opportunities emerging. This role offers the perfect platform to capitalise on this growth while building a market-leading contentious construction practice.

This is an expansion role within a thriving practice area, offering genuine partnership-level responsibility from day one, exceptional support, and the freedom to build your own team in one of the region's most progressive law firms.

Next Steps

For a confidential discussion about this exceptional opportunity, please contact Kim Wilkes at Think Legal - [e-mail]

All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.