Senior Associate/Principal Associate – Construction (Contentious)

Capital Law Limited; Cardiff; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pension

Enhanced annual leave

Health cash plan

Life assurance

Yoga classes

Regular social events

Job summary

Capital Law Limited in Cardiff seeks a Senior Associate/Principal Associate to lead and grow a contentious construction practice within the Construction team. You will work with the Head of Construction to develop strategy, win new clients, and deliver high-stakes dispute work.

The role requires strong advocacy, draft papers, and the ability to manage multiple complex projects while collaborating across disciplines to achieve successful outcomes.

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor with 5-10 years PQE in construction law.
• Contentious construction experience with adjudication ability.
• Desire to grow and lead contentious practice.
• Business development and networking willingness.
• Excellent negotiation and multi-project management.
• Collaborative, cross-disciplinary teamwork.
• Attention to detail and commitment to client service.

Responsibilities

• Grow the contentious workload and lead the contentious practice within the Construction team.
• Manage adjudication, ADR, mediation, arbitration and litigation as required.
• Draft papers and run adjudications, with junior support available.
• Collaborate with Head of Construction and wider real estate team to service clients.

Skills

Business development

Negotiation

Leadership

Networking

Attention to detail

Client service

Collaboration

Cross-disciplinary teamwork

Construction law

Education

Solicitor with 5-10 years PQE in construction law

Job description

About The Role

As a Senior Associate/ Principal Associate, you’ll be a key player in our Construction team. You will work alongside the Head of Construction to grow the contentious workload within the team and be able to influence the strategy and direction for the team. Our Head of Construction specialises in non-contentious construction and dispute avoidance. She needs a mid-level/ senior team member to build and lead a contentious practice to service both existing and new clients. An existing following would be beneficial, but is not essential.

The Construction Team

Our Construction team supports a wide variety of clients, from commercial clients to Education, local authorities, Housing Associations, contractors, sub-contractors and consultants. We advise on everything from complex development agreements, drafting and negotiating construction contracts, contract interpretation, compensation event claims and dispute avoidance to construction due diligence on real estate and corporate matters. You will be joining a highly skilled team that works seamlessly within the wider real estate sector on high-profile projects and is focussed on growth.

Key Requirements

• Business development skills and a willingness to attend networking events is essential.
• Contentious construction advice, including:
  • Adjudication – ability to run an adjudication, draft all necessary papers etc (junior team members with contentious experience are available to support)
  • ADR
  • mediation
  • arbitration
  • litigation
• Non-contentious experience is not essential, but would be beneficial to cover busy periods.

What We’re Looking For

• A qualified solicitor with a strong background in construction law. (5-10 years PQE)
• Contentious construction experience is essential, particularly the ability to run an adjudication, draft papers etc.
• Desire to grow and lead the contentious area of practice.
• Business development skills and a willingness to attend networking events is essential.
• Excellent negotiation skills and the ability to manage multiple projects.
• A collaborative approach, comfortable working in cross-disciplinary teams.
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to delivering exceptional client service.
• Experience in non-contentious construction advice, drafting and advising on standard forms of contract is not essential, but would be beneficial to cover busy periods.
• An existing following would be beneficial, but is not essential.

Flexibleworking

• youwillhavetheabilitytoworkbetweenhomeandtheofficeasrequired.

Healthandwellbeing

• Cycletoworkscheme,in-personyoga,subsidisedon-siteweeklychiropractorvisitsandregularwellbeingevents.

Careerdevelopmentopportunities

• Weareafast-growingandambitiousfirm. Weappreciateandvalueyourambitiontoo. Weofferasupportivecareerdevelopmentprogramme,andpromotionopportunitiestwiceayearforour lawyers.

Excellentrewardsandbenefits

• Competitivepensionscheme,enhancedannualleaveentitlementwithoptiontobuy/sellannualleave,enhancedfamilyleave, healthcashplan,lifeassurance,recognitionschemes,yogaclasses,regularsocialevents,andlotsmore.

Agreatlocationandworkingenvironment

• CitycentreofficeswithexcellentfacilitiesincludinganonsitechefinourCardiffOffice.

We are committed to maintaining an inclusive work environment. We encourage equality and diversity and treat all job applicants and colleagues fairly — regardless of age, gender, disability, ethnicity, religion or any religious or cultural beliefs, marital status and civil partnership, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity. We have no tolerance for discrimination.

Here, we can be ourselves, succeed on merit, and grow with people from all walks of life.