Senior Construction Associate

Palmers Solicitors; Basildon; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Palmers Solicitors is seeking an experienced Senior Associate to join our Construction Law Team in Basildon. The role combines high‑quality client work with leadership, coaching and business development, supporting continued growth in a Tier 2 firm recognised in the South East.

You will manage your own caseload, provide practical legal advice, supervise junior lawyers, contribute to performance reviews and help develop the team’s capabilities while delivering excellent client service.

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor with strong construction law experience.
• Experience in contentious and non-contentious matters preferred.
• Strong client care and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Managing and developing your own caseload while supporting team financial objectives.
• Providing clear, practical advice to clients, including research, drafting documents and correspondence.
• Supervising and supporting junior lawyers and fee earners, including file audits, coaching and technical guidance.
• Contributing to performance management, appraisal input and the development of team capability.
• Maintaining files and papers in line with SRA, Lexcel and internal practice management requirements.
• Supporting marketing and business development activity, including identifying opportunities for new work.
• Helping to improve systems, efficiency and consistency across relevant worktypes and offices.

Skills

Construction law

Client relationship management

Team leadership

Business development

Education

Solicitor qualification (England & Wales)

Job description

We are looking for an experienced and commercially minded Senior Associate to join Palmers Construction Law Team and play a key role in supporting the continued success and growth of the relevant department. The department is recognised as a Tier 2 firm within the Legal 500 for Construction Law within the South East and has a strong reputation within the sector. The role will involve both contentious and non-contentious construction law.

The successful candidate will manage their own caseload, provide high-quality advice to clients, and contribute to the supervision, coaching and development of junior lawyers and fee earners. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys client work, team collaboration and business development.

Key responsibilities

• Managing and developing your own caseload while supporting team financial objectives.
• Providing clear, practical advice to clients, including research, drafting documents and correspondence.
• Supervising and supporting junior lawyers and fee earners, including file audits, coaching and technical guidance.
• Contributing to performance management, appraisal input and the development of team capability.
• Maintaining files and papers in line with SRA, Lexcel and internal practice management requirements.
• Supporting marketing and business development activity, including identifying opportunities for new work.
• Helping to improve systems, efficiency and consistency across relevant worktypes and offices.

About you

You will be a confident and experienced legal professional with strong technical legal knowledge preferably within construction law or alternative commercial litigation (with experience of construction disputes), excellent client care skills and the ability to work collaboratively as part of a team. You will also be proactive in developing work, supporting colleagues and contributing to the wider success of the department and practice.

If you are looking for a senior role where you can combine high-quality client work with supervision, business development and team leadership, we would be pleased to hear from you.

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