Contentious Construction Associate in London

This is a standout opportunity to join a Top 25 UK firm, renowned for providing technical excellence, innovation and a dynamic approach to law. The Construction & Engineering team is rapidly expanding and is looking for an ambitious Contentious Construction & Engineering solicitor to join its highly regarded team.

If you are an experienced specialist looking to work on high-quality matters, advise prestigious clients and take the next step in your career, this is a role not to be missed.

About the Firm: This Legal 500 and Chambers-ranked firm has created a strong reputation for delivering high quality outcomes across their domestic and international client base of HNW individuals, multi-corporations, financial institutions and public authorities. They have built an esteemed reputation throughout its 250-year history, putting them in good stead to compete with some of the world's biggest firms.

Despite its impressive global footprint, the firm retains a close-knit, collegiate environment, placing genuine emphasis on employee development and wellbeing. With a culture built around their three core values of quality, imagination and impact, you will be part of a supportive, collaborative firm that encourages authenticity, innovation and personal growth.

The Construction & Engineering team sits within a formidable Real Estate department, renowned as one of the largest practices in the market, with multiple awards and ranked highly within Chambers and Legal 500. The team advises on a mix of contentious and non-contentious matters across the construction and engineering sectors, working closely with colleagues across the wider Real Estate department.

This role provides a strong platform to develop client relationships, further enhance the team’s reputation and grow your own professional profile with a view to future progression.

The Role: Joining the firm’s specialist Construction & Engineering team, you will advise on a varied caseload ranging from project advisory work to formal dispute resolution. Clients span the supply chain and operate across a range of sectors, both in the UK and internationally, including the Living Sector (with a focus on building safety), Industrial Engineering, Transport & Infrastructure, Energy & Waste, and PFI.

Your work will involve advising on contentious construction and engineering matters across the life cycle of projects, including delay, extensions of time, liquidated damages, additional cost and defects claims. You will support and run matters involving adjudication and High Court litigation, with exposure to arbitration and mediation where relevant.

As an Associate, you will become a key member of this high-performing, cohesive and busy team. You will contribute to mentoring trainee solicitors and paralegals, whilst also receiving support and guidance from the senior members of the team during more challenging matters, with the progression route of completing tasks independently thereafter.

There is a genuine focus on continuous development. You will be encouraged to take on significant responsibility with the opportunity to lead on occasional matters, begin to play an active role in business development, all with a view for you to meet your full potential at this highly regarded law firm.

What makes this opportunity stand out: Join a highly regarded Contentious Construction & Engineering team within a market-leading Real Estate department, consistently ranked by Chambers and Legal 500. Work on complex, high-value contentious matters across the full life cycle of major domestic and international projects, advising clients across the living, infrastructure, energy and engineering sectors. Benefit from a collegiate, supportive culture within a Top 25 UK firm, with genuine investment in development, wellbeing and flexible working. Enjoy clear progression and early responsibility, with client exposure and opportunities to contribute to business development within a growing team.

Requirements: Be a qualified solicitor with 2–5 years’ PQE and solid Contentious Construction and Engineering experience. Demonstrate a strong understanding of contractual, tortious and statutory rights across the construction supply chain, and confidence advising on disputes relating to delay, extensions of time, liquidated damages, additional cost and defects. Have experience of adjudication and High Court litigation procedures. Experience of arbitration (domestic and/or international) and mediation would be advantageous but is not essential. Be comfortable managing complex matters collaboratively, working with colleagues across practice areas in the UK and internationally to deliver high-quality advice. Show enthusiasm for business development, with the ability to build client relationships and support the continued growth of the practice.