Senior Associate - Construction Disputes

Trowers & Hamlins; Exeter; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus scheme

Pension scheme (GPP Aviva)

Private Medical Insurance (Vitality)

Job summary

Trowers & Hamlins seeks a Senior Associate to join its national contentious construction team based in Exeter. The role involves handling complex disputes, ADR, and litigation, with opportunities to work on domestic and international matters and to collaborate across offices.

The candidate will have 8+ years of contentious construction experience, a solicitor qualification, and a track record in business development and client relationship management.

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor with 8+ years' experience in contentious construction.
• Experience of all forms of dispute resolution including litigation, arbitration (domestic or international) and adjudication.
• Understanding of the Building Safety Act and implications for the construction sector.
• Experience of working for large, high profile developers.

Responsibilities

• Engage in ADR processes including adjudication, mediation, and litigation.
• Manage and develop client relationships to raise the firm’s profile.
• Collaborate with colleagues across offices and practice areas.
• Drive business development and contribute to securing new work.
• Ensure files are managed in compliance with Lexcel procedures.

Skills

Dispute resolution

Business development

Time management

Communication

Education

Solicitor qualification

Job description

Department: Dispute Resolution and Litigation

Location: Exeter

Description

We are now seeking a Senior Associate to join the team. As part of a dedicated 27 strong national contentious construction team you can also expect to work alongside colleagues on work which is being led out of our other UK offices. Construction is core to what we do, and our team enjoys a formidable reputation across the industry. Our work focuses on a broad scope of UK contentious construction matters which sees us acting for both private and public sector developers. Our experience extends across all the major contract forms (JCT, NEC, ICE, FIDIC, PPC and GC Works) as well as PFI and bespoke contracts. As part of a dedicated 27 strong national contentious construction team you can also expect to work alongside colleagues on work which is being led out of our other UK offices as well as, working closely with our London real estate practice in advising developers, major international and domestic contractors, consultants and public sector bodies such as central and local government, and social housing providers. We are now seeking a Senior Associate to join the team.

The Role

• Alternative dispute resolution, including adjudication, mediation, the resolution of claims under the pre‑action protocol for construction and engineering disputes and litigation
• Dispute avoidance and risk management
• Contractual interpretation
• Professional negligence
• Domestic projects in the main but with the opportunity to become involved in international matters
• Play an active role in business development and work to raise the firm's profile and help win new business
• Collaborate closely with colleagues in other offices and other practice areas, and travel as required
• Participate in firm‑wide and departmental training sessions
• Initiate, build and maintain effective client relationships
• Ensure files are managed in compliance with Lexcel procedures

The Candidate

The firm has a Career Development Framework which sets out the competencies we expect of those at the Senior Associate grade. In particular for this role we require:

• Qualified solicitor with 8+ years' experience in contentious construction
• Experience of all forms of dispute resolution including litigation, arbitration (domestic or international) and adjudication
• Experience of complex, high value, defect disputes is desirable
• An understanding of the Building Safety Act and the implications for the construction sector
• Experience of working for large, high profile developers, whether private or social
• Knowledge and experience of working with the most prominent forms of standard form construction contracts in the UK being the JCT, FIDIC and NEC
• Demonstrable passion for business development
• Drive, enthusiasm and vision
• Proven ability to manage files and excellent time management
• Flexibility and can‑do approach
• Excellent communication skills with a collaborative approach
• Experience of managing and supervising junior associates

Benefits

• an annual bonus scheme, GPP Pension Scheme with Aviva
• Private Medical Insurance, (currently with Vitality Health) upon joining the firm, which include discounted gym memberships, free cinema tickets, health assessments and much more

Trowers & Hamlins is an equal opportunities employer and values equity, diversity and inclusion. All applications will be considered on merit and the applicant's suitability to meet the requirements of the role and will be treated equally irrespective of Ethnicity, Gender (including Trans and non‑binary) Race, Disability, Religion and sexual orientation.

If you require any further information on any of our vacancies or would like to discuss any adjustments or additional support that you might need either during the recruitment process or after the offer stage, please feel free to contact our recruitment team on [e-mail]

As part of our firm recruitment policy our candidates are subject to employment screening background checks. These checks include personal details, education and employment history, professional qualifications and credit and criminal checks as appropriate.