Construction Solicitor (5590)

Irwin Mitchell LLP; Newcastle upon Tyne, Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading national law firm is seeking an experienced Solicitor to join their Construction & Engineering team. This role will involve drafting and negotiating construction contracts, advising on facility agreements, and supporting clients to mitigate risks. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 2 years of PQE and solid experience in non-contentious construction law. The firm offers a friendly and inclusive working environment along with a range of benefits.

Benefits

25 days holidays plus bank holidays

Flexible pension schemes

Two paid volunteering days per year

Health membership benefits

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years PQE required.
• Solid experience in non-contentious construction law (mix of both contentious and non-contentious is ideal).
• Confident in drafting and negotiating standard form contracts.

Responsibilities

• Draft and negotiate construction contracts and agreements.
• Advise on facility agreements and lease agreements.
• Support clients with early-stage advice to mitigate risks.

Skills

Qualified solicitor

Non-contentious construction law experience

Drafting and negotiating contracts

Client-focused approach

Proactive relationship building

Education

Solicitor qualification

Job description

We’re a national law firm with a local reach. Our legal experts are here for you. Whether it’s personal or business, we understand that everyone’s situation is different. But we’re more than just a law firm – we’re a team of people working together to help individuals and businesses navigate life’s ups and downs. Working here you’ll feel a part of our friendly and inclusive environment.

We’ll value you for who you are and what you bring. We support each other and push boundaries to achieve incredible things and make a real difference to our clients and communities.

We're always looking to support our colleagues to work in a way that works best for them and everyone else, including our clients, the business and the regulators. Please speak to a member of our Recruitment and Onboarding team for more information.

The team

Our Real Estate Group stands out as an exceptional collective of talent, renowned for delivering outstanding results and innovative solutions. Led by Guy Sackett, this group is made up of four teams - Real Estate Transactions, Real Estate Disputes, Construction & Engineering and Planning & Environment. Working closely together, these teams consistently exceed client expectations by providing comprehensive, end-to-end support for every property related need. Their combined expertise, dedication, and client-focused approach make them one of the most impressive and respected teams in the industry.

Your Role and What You'll Be Doing

Our Construction & Engineering team is nationally recognised for its expertise in construction law. Led by National Head Vijay Bange, we advise developers, funders, contractors, and consultants on a broad range of projects from fit-outs and residential conversions to major mixed‑use redevelopments. With offices nationwide, our team is well-positioned to support both local and national clients. We also provide guidance on international projects, working with trusted global partners to deliver local legal advice whenever needed.

We are looking for an experienced Solicitor in Manchester to join our growing national team. You will be working closely with Legal 500 ranked partner Robert Tunningley.

You’ll be working on:

• Drafting and negotiating construction contracts, development agreements, and procurement documentation
• Advising on facility agreements and agreements for lease
• Supporting clients through strategic early‑stage advice to mitigate risks before projects become litigious
• Collaborating with our Real Estate and Corporate teams on multi‑disciplinary matters
• Engaging with clients across sectors including housing, Build to Rent (BTR), student accommodation, commercial, and care developments

About You

We’re looking for someone who:

• Is a qualified solicitor with a minimum of 2 years PQE
• Has solid experience in non‑contentious construction law (or ideally mix of both contentious and non‑contentious)
• Is confident in drafting and negotiating amendments to standard form contracts (e.g., JCT, NEC)
• Understands the commercial drivers behind development projects
• Is proactive, client‑focused, and able to build strong relationships
• Ability to work on own initiative but also as a supportive team player, working as part of a national construction team

If the about sounds like you, we would welcome your application!

Our Benefits - What We Can Offer You

• 25 days holidays as standard plus bank holidays - You can ‘buy’ up to 35hrs of extra holiday too.
• Generous and flexible pension schemes.
• Volunteering days – Two days of volunteering every year for a cause of your choice (fully paid)
• Westfield Health membership, offering refunds on medical services alongside our Aviva Digital GP services.

We also offer a wide range of well‑being initiatives to encourage positive mental health both in and out of the workplace and to make sure you’re fully supported. This includes our Flexible by Choice programme which gives our colleagues more choice over a hybrid way of working subject to role, team and client requirements.

We have been ranked in the Best Workplaces for Wellbeing for Large Organisations for 2024!

Our responsible business programmes are fundamental to who we are and our purpose. We’re committed to being a diverse and inclusive workplace where our colleagues can flourish, and we have established a number of inclusion network groups across our business to support this aim.

Our commitment to Social Responsibility, community investment activity and tackling climate change is a fundamental part of who we are. It’s made up of four strands: Our People, Our Community, Our Environment and Our Pro Bono.

Additional Information

As part of the Irwin Mitchell Group’s on‑boarding process all successful applicants are required to complete the group’s employment screening process. This process helps to ensure that all new employees meet our standards in relation to honesty and integrity therefore protecting the interests of the Group, colleagues, clients, partners and other stakeholders.

We carry out pre‑employment screening to establish your eligibility to work in the UK, criminal record and financial checks with our trusted 3rd parties.

The employment screening process will fully comply with Data Protection and other applicable laws.

Irwin Mitchell LLP is an equal opportunity employer.

One St Peter's Square, Manchester, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom, M2 3AF

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We're proud of our values, and we're looking for people who share them

Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle

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