Legal Director- Contentious Construction

Think Legal Recruitment; Leeds; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK law firm in Leeds is seeking a Legal Director specializing in contentious construction. The role involves managing complex disputes, supervising a high-performing team, and playing a key role in client development. Candidates should possess a strong background in construction law, excellent leadership, and communication skills, with a minimum of 10 years of post-qualification experience.

Benefits

Supportive and inclusive culture

Commitment to personal development

High-calibre work environment

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years post-qualification experience in construction law.
• Extensive experience managing complex contentious construction matters.
• Proven ability to supervise junior lawyers and support their development.

Responsibilities

• Handle complex disputes and client development.
• Supervise the legal team and ensure high performance.
• Strategic expansion of the construction practice.

Skills

Leadership

Client Service

Communication

Commercial Awareness

Collaboration

Education

2:1 degree or equivalent

Job description

Legal Director – Contentious Construction
Location: Leeds
Salary: Competitive
Contract Type: Permanent, Full Time

A leading UK law firm is currently seeking a highly experienced Construction Lawyer to join its Tier 1 ranked Real Estate division, specifically focusing on contentious construction matters. The successful candidate will be based in Leeds and will join a high-performing, collaborative team known for delivering outstanding results across a wide range of sectors.

The Opportunity

Due to continued growth and a strong pipeline of high-value mandates, the firm is looking to appoint a Legal Director with significant experience in contentious construction. This is a key leadership role, offering the chance to handle complex disputes and play an active part in client development, team supervision, and strategic expansion. The team acts for a diverse portfolio of clients, including developers, landlords, tenants, funders, and public sector bodies, advising on disputes related to JCT, NEC, and other standard or bespoke contract forms.

This is a rare opportunity to work on top-tier matters alongside a nationally recognised construction practice, providing meaningful career progression and client-facing responsibility.

The Team

With over 100 specialists, including more than 25 partners, the national Construction and Engineering team is one of the most respected in the UK. The Leeds office includes six partners and over 30 legal professionals, all known for their deep sector knowledge, commercial acumen, and collaborative approach.

The team advises on both contentious and non-contentious matters across sectors such as energy, infrastructure, utilities, civil engineering, and commercial real estate. They also work closely with colleagues across Real Estate, Banking, and Projects, offering a fully integrated service.

Candidate Profile

• Minimum 10 years of post-qualification experience in construction law, ideally within a leading construction or real estate-focused practice.
• Strong academic record (minimum 2:1 degree or equivalent).
• Extensive experience in managing complex contentious construction matters.
• Confident supervising junior lawyers and supporting their professional development.
• Commercially aware, with strong communication and leadership skills.
• A proactive and collaborative approach to client service and internal teamwork.

The Firm

This firm is widely recognised for its supportive, inclusive culture and commitment to excellence. With a strong national and international client base, it offers high-calibre work, genuine career progression, and an environment where talent and innovation are celebrated. Employees benefit from a dynamic and collegiate culture, where continuous improvement and personal development are actively encouraged.

For a confidential conversation, please contact Kim Wilkes at Think Legal Recruitment.