Construction Senior Associate

VWV; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

VWV, a top 100 UK law firm in Bristol, seeks a construction lawyer with ideally 2 years of experience. Join a friendly team where you'll handle both contentious and non-contentious matters across a variety of sectors, offering a unique environment that values collaboration and warmth.

Benefits

Hybrid working arrangements

Inclusive workplace

Qualifications

• Around 2 years of experience in construction law.
• Experience with JCT, NEC, IChemE, IET, ACA contracts.
• Ability to work collaboratively across offices.

Responsibilities

• Drafting, negotiating, and advising on construction contracts.
• Managing contract matrices for commercial property developments.
• Collaborating with clients from private and public sectors.

Skills

Contentious expertise

Non-contentious expertise

Contract negotiation

Advice on construction contracts

Education

Qualified lawyer

Job description

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Here at VWV, our construction team is going from strength to strength. We are now looking for a positive and engaging lawyer with ideally a couple of years or more of expertise to join our friendly Bristol-based team. This is a fantastic opportunity to join a full-service top 100 UK law firm, where you'll gain experience in a wide variety of high-quality instructions.

About us

Although significant in size with around 500 employees and four offices in Bristol, Birmingham, London, and Watford, the first thing you'll notice about us is our close-knit and friendly culture. We're just not like other firms! We believe in integrity and authenticity—each of us being ourselves both in our interactions with each other and with our clients. What does that mean for you? Well, it means you'll be part of a team, a department, and a wider firm that doesn't do airs and graces or arrogance… you'll be part of the "VWV family".

We enjoy a reputation not just for excellence but also for being a firm of "thoroughly good eggs"—a winning combination that ensures a working day here at VWV is based on honesty, collaboration, and warmth.

The role

Our well-geared Bristol-based team comprises 2 construction Partners, 2 Senior Associates, 2 Solicitors, a Trainee, and a Paralegal. We're looking for a construction lawyer with around 2 years or more experience to join our supportive and busy team in Bristol. Ideally, you'll have a mixed repertoire of contentious and non-contentious expertise and will be looking to take on a broad range of high-quality work across sectors including waste, infrastructure, higher education, health, and commercial property development.

Part of your role will involve drafting, negotiating, and advising on a range of standard and bespoke forms of construction and engineering contracts (JCT, NEC, IChemE, IET, ACA). Our team, though small in size, punches well above its weight. We work with clients at every stage of the construction process in both private and public sectors, including property developers, funders, investors, contractors, and consultants. Instructions range from advising on small discrete issues to managing entire contract matrices for new commercial property developments. Our work is varied, and our clients are wide-ranging.

Given that construction law involves supporting commercial property transactions and wider projects, you'll find the role to be sociable and interactive. You'll enjoy working collaboratively with colleagues across offices, helping to provide our clients with the seamless "one-stop shop" service for which VWV is renowned.

Our team is ranked in Chambers and Partners 2023 for the South West. They note: "VWV has a noteworthy team with particular experience in the education sector, representing a wide range of schools and universities, while also acting for local authorities, funders, and contractors. The firm handles contentious and non-contentious matters, with additional knowledge of insurance and procurement issues."

The team is led by, acclaimed by Chambers as a Notable Practitioner, who is described as "very attentive, easy to deal with, and understanding of our needs and pressures," as well as being "a solid pair of hands and a good man to have in your team." Also recognized is Jason Prosser, who advises on transactional and contentious aspects of refurbishment and construction projects in the education and energy sectors.

While accolades are not the full picture, they reflect the quality of work and strength within our team—important if you're less familiar with us.

Where will I be working?

At VWV, we have a unique and engaging culture. We work hard but also love to have fun, and we believe that social interaction truly embeds our culture. While we've adapted to remote work, we're currently operating a hybrid model of office and home working. Ideally, you'd work from our Bristol office for at least part of the week to benefit from our warm and friendly environment. We are happy to discuss specific hybrid working arrangements with candidates.

Why choose us?

There are many reasons to explore a career with us. We're known for our friendly, welcoming culture where teamwork and collaboration are key. We promote a professional yet relaxed environment where you can be yourself. We offer a range of benefits and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that values diversity. If you require any adjustments to support your application, please contact our recruiter— we're happy to accommodate your needs.