Planning & Infrastructure Associate (Hybrid) - Leeds

Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Private medical insurance

Pension with matched contributions

Life assurance

Job summary

Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions is seeking a Planning Lawyer (Associate/Managing Associate) in Leeds with 4–8 years’ PQE to advise on planning, infrastructure and highways law for major development, energy and transport projects. Hybrid working, strong progression, and ownership of workstreams are key features.

You will join a national team, supervise junior colleagues, and deepen client relationships while shaping sector-leading matters across DCOs, land assembly, and regulatory interfaces.

Qualifications

• Qualified Solicitor (England and Wales) with 4 to 8 years’ PQE in Planning & Infrastructure Consenting.
• Significant experience advising on infrastructure, energy, utilities and/or major development projects.
• Experience advising on Development Consent Orders (DCOs) and other regimes.
• Strong capability in town and country planning matters, highways law and infrastructure agreements.
• Ability to manage substantial drafting and advisory responsibilities with independence.
• Experience advising on protective provisions, asset protection agreements, access arrangements and regulatory interfaces.
• Strong understanding of local government law, statutory powers and public authority decision-making processes.
• Proven ability to manage complex transactions and projects, delivering high-quality work to deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Advising on planning, infrastructure and highways law in major development, energy, transport and utilities projects.
• Leading and supporting Development Consent Orders for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects and other regimes.
• Advising on compulsory purchase, land assembly, statutory powers and related implementation matters.
• Managing day-to-day client relationships, taking ownership of deliverables, transaction management and matter progression.
• Working directly with senior lawyers on nationally significant and market-shaping mandates.
• Supervising junior team members and supporting their development.
• Developing expertise across front-end advisory work and contentious or challenge-related matters.

Skills

Planning law

Infrastructure law

Client management

Team leadership

Education

Qualified Solicitor (England & Wales)

Job description

Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions is seeking a Planning Lawyer (Associate/Managing Associate) in Leeds with 4–8 years’ PQE to advise on planning, infrastructure and highways law for major development, energy and transport projects. Hybrid working, strong progression, and ownership of workstreams are key features.

You will join a national team, supervise junior colleagues, and deepen client relationships while shaping sector-leading matters across DCOs, land assembly, and regulatory interfaces.