Construction Associate in London

We will offer you a place where you can be yourself and where there are no limits on what you can achieve. With us, you can take ownership of your career and have honest conversations throughout. You would join an ambitious firm with a clear strategy for profitable growth where you can get early responsibility. Here you can expect a competitive and fair reward as well as recognition based on all round performance. This forms part of our internal promise to you, The Deal, between the firm and its employees.

At Stephenson Harwood, our projects and construction teams are combined, with some of our fee earners (particularly those towards the NQ-junior end) developing experience across projects, energy, infrastructure and real estate construction work. In addition to acting in the UK domestic market, the team has an international offering and frequently works alongside colleagues in the Middle East and Asia as well as our other European offices, on developments in those jurisdictions.

We are currently seeking a mid-level with non-contentious real estate construction experience. Projects experience is also desirable (albeit not required) but is not a substitute for real estate construction experience, which is essential for this role. Please note the role does not include any contentious construction work (which is dealt with by a separate department). We are recruiting for this role to replace a mid-level associate who is relocating overseas.

The role will involve a busy and varied workload of UK domestic real estate construction matters, comprising a mix of pure development work, advisory work, and real estate and finance transactional support. This represents a very good opportunity for a keen mid-level lawyer keen to embrace a busy workload from the outset. You can expect to advise on a broad range of commercial real estate developments in several sectors including mixed-use commercial, industrial, hotel & leisure and retail, PBSA, BTR, and high end residential.

The team acts for a diverse client base comprising institutional investors, project sponsors, private developers, owner/occupiers, government bodies and public authorities, funders, contractors, consultants, and other stakeholders involved in high value construction and engineering work. You will work closely with one partner initially, and four other partners in addition.

Main Responsibilities

• Leading matter management on smaller/less complex matters with minimal supervision of a partner;
• Working alongside partners and managing associates on more complex matters;
• Clear, concise and unambiguous preparation and drafting of relevant documentation;
• Conducting legal research using internal and external knowledge management resources;
• Liaising with clients under the supervision of a partner or managing associate;
• Assisting partners with matter management and financial hygiene of matters;
• Supervising more junior associates and trainees/solicitor apprentices;
• Developing own internal and external network of contacts;
• Building excellent working relationships with clients and peers within the firm;
• Attending business development and profile-raising events (client seminars, industry and trade body networking, graduate recruitment activities).

The intention is that this role will be predominantly office based, in line with the firm's policy of working 3 days per week in the office. We are happy to discuss this and other flexible working arrangements with you as part of the application and interview process.

Attributes/Skills Required

• UK-qualified lawyer with demonstrable mid-level experience gained with a strong private practice law firm in the UK is likely to be the best fit for the current needs of the team. However, foreign qualified candidates with equivalent and/or comparable experience in similar markets (for example, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand) will be considered.
• The candidate will have a strong academic record.
• The candidate should be a proactive and collaborative self-starter.
• Strong technical knowledge and excellent attention to detail is essential.
• The candidate will have experience with:
• General commercial real estate development, including a working knowledge of the JCT suite of contracts. Experience of NEC (in particular) and also FIDIC, MF/1, and IChemE forms of contract is also highly desirable.
• Drafting and negotiating bespoke consultancy appointments (essential).
• Drafting and negotiating other bespoke contractual arrangements, such as construction management agreements and DMAs is highly desirable.
• The non-contentious construction elements of real estate and funding documents such as agreements for lease, sale and purchase agreements, development funding and forward funding agreements, development finance and the refinancing of real estate assets.
• Experience and expertise at independently managing non-complex transactional construction files with little supervision.
• Delivering commercial pragmatic advice to clients and colleagues which places the construction risks in the context of the wider transaction.
• A strong interest in legal technology and AI, with a keenness to embrace the use of software such as Harvey and Legora.
• Ability to acquire, consolidate and apply fundamental and up-to-date knowledge of the law.
• The team does not currently include a PSL, so fee earners are expected to take responsibility for keeping up-to-date with legal and commercial developments.
• Organised and able to work to strict deadlines with the ability to prioritise realistically including flagging any conflicting urgent deadlines to partners in a contemporaneous fashion.
• Good housekeeping/file management practices.
• Manages and records time daily and accurately with an awareness of fee quotes/estimates.
• Resilient with the ability to handle setbacks and pressure.
• Exhibits an understanding of the firm’s position in the market and how it distinguishes its services from its competitors.

About the Firm

Stephenson Harwood is an international law firm, and we're committed to creating 'positive partnerships' with our clients. We represent listed and private companies, institutions and individuals, building lasting relationships to help them succeed in a complex and ever-changing world. Our focus is on five core sectors: Energy Transition, Life Sciences and Healthcare, Private Capital and Funds, Technology, and Transportation and Trade. With more than 1,500 people, including 250+ partners, across twelve offices in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, we combine deep legal capabilities and broad commercial expertise. We have also forged close ties with high quality law firms around the world, blending local knowledge with global savvy for clients in over 100 countries. We understand the power of diversity in delivering that high calibre advice to our clients. We want to attract diverse talent and we particularly encourage applications from underrepresented demographics.