Principal Associate / Legal Director in London

Our market leading Construction & Engineering team is seeking an experienced Principal Associate or Legal Director to join our growing London practice. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in one of the UK's most respected construction teams advising a broad range of clients on complex, high value and strategically important projects across the real estate, infrastructure, energy and industrial sectors.

You will work closely with clients throughout the project lifecycle providing commercially focused advice on procurement strategy, project structuring, risk allocation and contract negotiation. The role offers significant client exposure and the opportunity to contribute to the continued growth of the London practice while collaborating with colleagues across our national Construction & Engineering team.

Our team advises on some of the UK's most significant regeneration, infrastructure, energy and development projects. We act for developers, investors, funders, public sector bodies, contractors, consultants and occupiers, delivering practical and innovative solutions that help clients achieve their commercial objectives.

As a Principal Associate or Legal Director you will be expected to lead on complex transactional construction matters and act as a trusted adviser to clients on their most critical projects. Your responsibilities will include:

• Advising on the procurement, negotiation and drafting of a wide range of construction, infrastructure and engineering documentation
• Leading negotiations on standard and bespoke forms of construction contracts, including JCT, NEC and FIDIC forms
• Advising on development agreements, forward funding arrangements, development finance transactions and real estate led construction projects
• Supporting major infrastructure, energy, industrial, remediation and process plant projects
• Advising clients on risk management, project delivery strategies and market best practice
• Working closely with colleagues in Real Estate, Corporate, Finance, Projects and Regulatory teams on multidisciplinary transactions

We are interested in candidates with strong technical expertise alongside a commercial and proactive approach to client service. You will ideally have:

• Extensive experience advising on non-contentious construction matters gained within a leading law firm, in-house legal team or a combination of both.
• Significant experience drafting and negotiating JCT, NEC and/or other standard-form construction contracts.
• Expertise in development projects, financing arrangements and project procurement structures.
• Strong technical understanding of construction, infrastructure and engineering risk allocation.
• The ability to lead matters independently and manage competing priorities effectively and also to work effectively and efficiently within project teams.
• A proven track record of building and maintaining strong client relationships.
• Experience supervising and developing junior lawyers.
• An enthusiasm for business development and contributing to the growth of a market leading practice.
• Strong communication, negotiation and stakeholder management skills.

For Legal Director candidates we would expect:

• An established reputation within the market.
• A demonstrable track record of winning work and the ability to support broader strategic growth initiatives.
• Lead on complex development projects acting as the principal client contact and coordinating multidisciplinary teams across Real Estate, Corporate, Banking and other specialist practices.

You will play a key role in advising on project structuring, procurement strategy, risk allocation and the negotiation and drafting of construction documentation throughout the development lifecycle.

Shoosmiths is the law firm clients choose for excellent service, incisive thinking and above all our ability to focus on what matters most. With offices across the UK and Brussels, we partner with some of the world's most exciting, innovative and ambitious organisations, helping clients make a meaningful impact in their industries and communities. Our people are empowered to bring their authentic selves to work, collaborate in high performing teams and deliver exceptional results through a culture built on excellence, innovation and mutual support.

Alongside a competitive remuneration package we offer high quality work, a supportive environment and a comprehensive, flexible benefits programme designed to reward and support our people. We believe our success is driven by our employees and we are committed to recognising their contribution to the firm's continued growth and achievements.

Shoosmiths is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. Disability Confident is a government scheme designed to encourage employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with long term conditions. As part of our accreditation we commit to interviewing any applicants with a disability who meet the essential criteria for each vacancy.

Our approach to our people is underpinned by our approach to diversity, inclusion and well-being. Our ambition is to build a diverse and ambitious workforce that reflects all backgrounds and talents, and a workplace that is supportive and inclusive, recognises and nurtures talent, and has a strong sense of community between colleagues.