Professional Support Lawyer - Real Estate Planning

CMS CMNO LLP; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible hybrid working

Generous bonus scheme

Up to 25 days holiday

Holiday exchange scheme

Private medical insurance

Enhanced parental leave

Disability accommodations

Job summary

CMS CMNO LLP is seeking a Knowledge Counsel/PSL to support major UK development and energy projects within its Planning team, with potential fee-earning time. The role covers DCOs, planning applications, inquiries, and related transactions, based in the UK.

You will join a Band 1 ranked team, focusing on knowledge management, precedents, research, training, and business development, with an emphasis on driving innovation and AI in knowledge support for planning work.

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor with planning law experience.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Gained experience in a recognised planning team.
• Commercial orientation with a focus on innovation and client service.

Responsibilities

• Knowledge management: collect and maintain planning team knowledge.
• Draft and maintain precedents and document styles.
• Provide research and advisory support for client work.
• Develop and deliver training and oversee delivery.
• Support publications and client content; assist initiatives.

Skills

Qualified solicitor

Planning law experience

Knowledge management

Research skills

Business development

Innovation mindset

Teamwork

Time management

Education

Solicitor qualification (UK)

Job description

Our Planning team is looking for a Knowledge Counsel / Professional Support Lawyer (PSL) with, potentially, an interest in spending a portion of their time fee-earning, to support our work delivering some of the largest development and energy & infrastructure projects in the UK.

About the Role

You will be part of a growing and dynamic team ranked Band 1 in Legal 500. You will be exposed to diverse work-types and have a good degree of responsibility, providing an excellent opportunity for professional development. The role will involve supporting the Planning practice to deliver major development and energy & infrastructure projects and transactions. These will involve development consent orders (DCO), compulsory purchase and compensation matters, planning applications and appeals, marine licences, EIA and HRA, public local inquiries, highways matters, judicial review, asset protection matters, planning agreements, and reporting and due diligence including certificates of title.

Specifically, the Knowledge Counsel role will involve:

• Knowledge Management – collecting and maintaining knowledge generated by the planning team other sources
• Precedents and Styles – drafting and keeping up to date
• Research and advisory work – in support of the Team's client work
• Training – development, oversight and some delivery
• Business Development / Marketing – supporting the production of publications and other content and with initiates
• Innovation and Systems – having a lead role (with others) in driving the team's innovation and AI strategy, and deploying the firm's significant innovation resources to improve the quality and efficiency of knowledge support for the planning team, and liaising with Innovation colleagues
• Teamwork - liaising and working with both other Knowledge Counsel colleagues and the Planning team

The team operates on a UK basis, and the opportunity would suit someone based in Manchester, Sheffield, Bristol or, potentially, London.

About You

We will invest in your ongoing training and development to support your professional goals and help you to thrive in your role from day one. Our opportunities are open to all suitably qualified applicants, so to be considered for this role, you must meet the following skills and experience.

#LI-GB1

• be a qualified solicitor
• be able to demonstrate an interest in planning, knowledge, research, business development and innovation
• have gained good experience in a recognised planning team
• have excellent written and oral communication skills
• have a strong academic background
• be commercially orientated with a commitment to innovation
• have the ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• be well-organised with strong administration and time management skills and the ability and drive to meet demanding deadlines

What's in it for you?

We want to reward you today and help you plan for tomorrow. We appreciate that everyone is different, therefore we have designed a benefits system that offers choice and flexibility based on individual needs and lifestyles. To name a few, these include:

• Competitive basic salary (reviewed annually)
• Flexible, hybrid working policy
• Generous bonus scheme
• Up to 25 days holiday (rising to 28 days with service)
• Holiday exchange scheme
• Private medical insurance
• Enhanced parental leave
• Reasonable adjustments and accommodation for disabled talent in accordance with the Equality Act 2010

Whether you're a lawyer or a finance professional, a business developer or an IT expert, we have a wide range of legal and business careers for you. Find where you belong. Preparing for tomorrow's challenges starts today. That's why CMS adopts a Future Facing approach, ensuring our clients and our people stay ahead in an ever-evolving landscape. Global expertise, local insights.