Senior Planning Lawyer in Leeds

We are delighted to be instructed on a sole agency basis on this brand new vacancy. Our client, a highly respected national practice, is seeking to strengthen its Planning team with a senior-level hire. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Planning specialist to step into a genuine leadership role with clear influence, strong internal support, and long-term progression.

This firm has been investing heavily in its Planning offering across the UK and is now prioritising the appointment of an additional senior lawyer within its Northern team. The appetite for growth is real, and you’ll be joining a well-established, well-resourced group with a strong national footprint. Whether you’re an existing Partner seeking a new platform, or a Director/Senior Associate ready for that next step, the team is open-minded - what matters most is credibility, experience, and the ability to provide a safe pair of hands at senior level.

You will be joining a busy and balanced Planning group with a mix of contentious and non-contentious work. The wider practice includes specialists covering pure planning, environmental (including regulatory), and related advisory work. The Leeds base includes a combination of senior and mid-level lawyers supported by juniors and excellent operational support. Other regional teams have also seen strong recent growth, supported by thriving Real Estate, Construction and Development practices, ensuring a steady pipeline of internal work alongside external mandates.

A senior Planning lawyer at Director or Partner level (or a Senior Associate with clear upward trajectory) is sought. Candidates should have a credible track record and ideally some form of following or established profile. Experience can be contentious, non-contentious or mixed - the team is flexible. A strong communicator who can slot confidently into a national, multi-office team is preferred, with a Leeds presence being ideal, but strong candidates in the wider North will be considered.

This is a firm that genuinely looks after its people - with benefits and culture to match. There is a balanced and people-first approach to work. This firm is known for its positive environment and sensible expectations. Senior lawyers here are treated as part of the strategic leadership group, with full visibility of financials, regular involvement in partner-level discussions, and a meaningful voice in shaping the direction of the practice. There is a strong pipeline of work with major national teams feeding into Planning, and a healthy mix of internal and panel instruction; the incoming hire will be busy from day one.

If you’d like an initial confidential conversation, or if you simply want to explore whether this could be the right platform for you, we’d love to hear from you. Haggerty Jaques is committed to promoting equality and diversity. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of background.