Contentious Construction Solicitor

William James Recruitment; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working from Birmingham office

Competitive salary and bonus

Professional development

Job summary

William James Recruitment is seeking a Contentious Construction Senior Associate Solicitor in Birmingham. You will handle high-value disputes, including adjudications and High Court litigation, while developing client relationships across construction, infrastructure and public sectors.

The role offers hybrid working from Birmingham and clear career progression within a nationally recognised disputes team. Strong drafting, advocacy and mentoring skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Experience handling complex and high-value construction disputes.
• Adjudication, arbitration and High Court litigation exposure.
• Strategy, evidence gathering and client management throughout matters.
• Business development and client relationship growth.
• Strong drafting, negotiation, and advocacy skills.

Responsibilities

• Grow and develop the Contentious Construction team within the disputes practice.
• Build client relationships across construction, infrastructure, development and public sectors.
• Originate and support new business opportunities within the construction disputes market.
• Contribute to the strategic direction of the team and market engagement.
• Advise clients on adjudications, arbitrations, mediations and Technology & Construction Court disputes.
• Manage domestic and international construction disputes including delay, defects, payment, professional negligence and contractual interpretation.
• Collaborate with construction, real estate, projects and commercial teams to deliver integrated client solutions.
• Mentor junior lawyers and maintain a high-performing team environment.
• Oversee financial performance, including matter management and billing.
• Develop the team's profile through networking and thought leadership.

Skills

Construction disputes

Adjudication

Arbitration

High Court litigation

Client relationships

Business development

Drafting

Advocacy

Mentoring

Team leadership

Education

Qualified Solicitor in England & Wales

Job description

Contentious Construction Senior Associate Solicitor / Principal Associate Solicitor – Birmingham City Centre – Competitive Salary + Bonus + Benefits

A highly regarded Legal 500 UK law firm with a nationally recognised disputes practice is seeking a Senior Associate Solicitor / Principal Associate Solicitor to join its growing Contentious Construction team in Birmingham. Acting for a diverse client base including developers, contractors, funders, consultants, public sector bodies and major corporates, the team advises on high-value and technically complex construction disputes across a wide range of sectors. This role offers the opportunity to work on nationally significant matters, handling adjudications, litigation, arbitration and other forms of dispute resolution, whilst playing a key role in the continued growth and success of the practice.

The Role:

• Support the continued growth and development of a highly regarded Contentious Construction team, strengthening its position within the firm's wider disputes practice
• Build and enhance client relationships across the construction, infrastructure, development and public sectors
• Take an active role in originating and supporting new business opportunities within the construction disputes market
• Contribute to the strategic direction of the team, supporting growth initiatives and market engagement activities
• Advise clients on a broad range of contentious construction matters including adjudications, arbitrations, mediations and Technology & Construction Court litigation
• Act on domestic and international construction disputes involving delay, defects, payment, professional negligence and contractual interpretation issues
• Work closely with colleagues across construction, real estate, projects and commercial teams to deliver integrated client solutions
• Support, mentor and collaborate with junior lawyers, contributing to a high-performing and supportive team environment
• Maintain responsibility for financial performance, including matter management, billing and delivery against key KPIs
• Play a key role in developing the profile of the team through networking, thought leadership and client-facing initiatives

The Candidate:

• Demonstrates strong technical expertise in handling complex and high-value construction disputes
• Experienced in adjudication, arbitration and High Court litigation, with a strong understanding of dispute resolution procedures
• Skilled in managing matters from inception through to resolution, including strategy, evidence gathering and client management
• Delivers commercially focused advice with strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Brings experience in developing and maintaining strong client relationships
• Contributes to business development initiatives and identifies opportunities for growth
• An effective communicator with excellent drafting, negotiation and advocacy skills
• A qualified Solicitor operating at Senior Associate or Principal Associate level within Contentious Construction

The Benefits

• A highly competitive salary with a strong overall benefits package
• Hybrid working from the firm's Birmingham office
• Exposure to complex, high-value and nationally significant construction disputes
• Excellent career progression opportunities within a growing and supportive team
• A collaborative working environment with a strong focus on professional development and work-life balance