Associate

Buckles Law is an award-winning firm that provides world-class client experience and services on a comprehensive range of legal services to both businesses and individuals in the UK and internationally. Delivering effective and cost-efficient legal solutions from our offices based in Bristol, Cambridge, London, Nottingham, Peterborough, and Stamford with international presence in Paris and Milan. We recognise that all this is possible due to our team of highly dedicated, enthusiastic professionals across our locations. We pride ourselves on providing a positive work environment where independent thinking and new ideas are actively encouraged and where every member of the team genuinely can make a difference.

Buckles holds the LawNet Mark of Excellence, is Investor in People Gold accredited, and is a certified B Corporation, reflecting its commitment to excellence, people and responsible business practices. As a result of continuing growth, we are excited to be recruiting for an experienced Associate to join our growing Construction & Engineering team. We can be flexible on office location depending on the candidate’s location and experience and this is a full-time (37.5 hours per week) permanent opportunity.

Purpose of the Role: We are recruiting for a confident and experienced Construction & Engineering Associate, who can build and develop an existing client portfolio, as well as assist with the ongoing growth of the team. An existing following and network would be beneficial. You will work as part of a team on a mixture of contentious and non-contentious matters with the opportunity to lead on appropriate matters and also provide supervision to junior team members. You must be confident, commercially focused, with excellent business development skills, and be able to forge and nurture effective client relationships. We will provide lots of support but also the freedom to make the role your own, and with a wide variety of clients across various sectors, this is an exciting career opportunity for someone with drive and determination to take their career to the next level.

Responsibilities of a Construction Associate:

• Work as part of the Construction & Engineering team on a variety of contentious and non-contentious matters, both in a supporting role and managing their own matters.
• Provide construction support to the Commercial Property and Corporate teams.
• Attend appropriate networking events and proactively identify and report business development opportunities (not limited solely to your area of legal work).
• Actively raise the profile of the firm within the marketplace and conduct oneself in business and personal life in a manner which does not adversely affect the reputation of the firm.
• Delivery of individual targets.
• Ensuring high levels of client satisfaction and building appropriate relationships with clients and intermediaries.
• Adherence to agreed quality procedures and management systems.
• Undertake and deliver work in a commercially effective manner.
• Continually develop technical and non-technical skills to meet client and firm requirements and demonstrate continuous improvement in all areas of work.
• Please note some travel will be required for business development, meetings and training purposes.

Skills and Experience for a Construction Associate:

• Relevant professional qualification or relevant industry experience.
• Strong legal skills, familiar with standard form contracts – JCT, NEC, FIDIC.
• Sound understanding of all stakeholders in construction and engineering projects.
• Experience in different forms of dispute resolution, including TCC court proceedings, arbitration, adjudication, expert determination and mediation.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills across all levels.
• Working knowledge of case management systems and Microsoft Office applications.
• A strong team player with a motivational hands-on approach.
• Uses initiative, plans and organises own time and workload to meet deadlines and prioritises work.
• A measured, rational and commercially focused approach to problem-solving.
• Deals confidently and diplomatically with clients and other stakeholders.
• Demonstrates integrity and congruence when dealing with people.

Reward and development: At Buckles Law, we believe in creating a workplace where our people feel valued, supported, and rewarded. Here’s what you can look forward to as part of our team:

• Generous Annual Leave. Enjoy enhanced holiday entitlement plus all UK Bank Holidays, giving you more time to relax and recharge.
• Celebrate Your Birthday. Take a well-deserved break on your birthday (or the closest working day) it’s on us!
• Festive Time Off. Unwind with additional leave on Christmas Eve (full day) and New Year’s Eve (half day PM), when these fall on a contracted working day.
• Private Healthcare. Access to comprehensive private healthcare options for you and your family, ensuring peace of mind when it matters most.
• Healthcare Cashback Plans. Reclaim everyday health expenses like dental, optical, and physiotherapy, completely free for you and your loved ones.
• Enhanced Pension Scheme. We’ll match your contributions up to 5%, helping you build a secure financial future.
• Buy Extra Holiday. You can purchase up to 5 additional days of annual leave each year.
• Group Life Assurance. Financial protection for your loved ones with life cover worth 4x your annual salary.

We recognise the success of every employee; working with you to ensure you have what you need to maximise your potential and develop your career. We are an equal opportunity and disability-inclusive employer and value diversity across the firm. We do not discriminate based on age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation or parental or caring status.