Planning Lawyer

Planning Lawyer

Full-Time 43200 - 72000 Β£ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
W

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Join our Real Estate Planning team and work on iconic developments across various sectors.
  • Company: We are a leading UK law firm known for our expertise in planning and infrastructure.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working options, a supportive culture, and initiatives prioritising health and well-being.
  • Other info: We value diversity and inclusivity, welcoming applicants from all backgrounds.
  • Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team tackling complex projects with a focus on social impact and innovation.
  • Qualifications: Must have a legal qualification and 5+ years of experience in planning and environmental law.

The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 Β£ per year.

Our Real Estate Planning team are widely regarded as one of the best in the UK advising on some of the most iconic developments. Whether it is off shore wind farms located 40 kilometres out to sea, major residential schemes including garden villages and regeneration, new rail and road projects, airport developments, or waste and mineral projects; we are instructed on all of them.

What will you be doing?

Our national team offers clients a full-spectrum of expertise and handles a range of complex mandates in the residential, commercial and infrastructure and environmental and waste sectors, as well as contentious work in Judicial Review and Lands Chamber proceedings.

What does the ideal candidate look like?

Due to the growth in our work, as well as the variety and complexity of the projects we are working on, this role needs strong experience in planning, infrastructure and environmental work as well as a genuine enthusiasm to develop our great team. This role will see you working on large scale development consent orders, compulsory acquisitions, giving strategic planning advice, reviewing environmental statements, assisting with project management and supporting our national real estate practice. The role offers an unrivalled opportunity to work on a wide range of premium level planning work outside of the City.

We've seen a significant increase in the work we undertake for major infrastructure providers and would like to hear from you if you have both the passion and expertise in this area. There are great opportunities to work with truly talented lawyers at the top of their field across our offices.

To be successful in this role you'll need as a minimum:

  • A legal qualification with 5+ years post admission experience gained within a planning team.
  • Knowledge of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, and some knowledge or the Planning Act 2008 is desirable.
  • Experience of and able to lead on complex planning agreements
  • Experience of highway agreements
  • Ability to handle inquiries/examinations and judicial reviews relating to planning matters.
  • Experiencing managing & supervising more junior members of the team
  • Knowledge and experience of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA)
  • Whilst not required, experience of compulsory acquisition is also desirable

What makes it great to work here?

We continually work hard to create an open culture that sets us apart from other firms. Our culture gives us much more of a human feel, emphasising that we're more than just suits!

As signatories to the Mindful Business Charter, it's important to us that our people are able to maintain healthy and happy lives, both in and out of work. We have a number of resources and initiatives designed to support health and wellbeing and we're very happy to talk flexible working.

Through our DEI initiatives we create an environment in which difference is valued. We have an Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Group, led by our Board Sponsor, which works with our colleague networks (we currently have firm supported networks for race, ethnicity, and cultural heritage, LGBTQ+, disabilities, neurodiversity, families, and women's career development and we're in constant dialogue with our people about how we expand our networks to better support everybody). Find out more about DEI at WBD here. We encourage applicants from all social backgrounds, ethnicities, disabilities, gender identities and sexual orientations.

We are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible to all. If you have a disability or long term condition and need us to make any adjustments to give you the best possible recruitment process, please let us know by contacting the recruiter on the right hand side of this page. Please also let us know if you need this job advert or the application form in a different format.

We will offer an interview to candidates with a disability or long-term condition who meet the minimum criteria for this role. You can opt into this scheme within the application form. Your response to this question is only used for this purpose, is only visible to the recruitment team and is not used for data monitoring.

We are an in-house recruitment team and will always aim to fill our roles directly in the first instance.

#J-18808-Ljbffr

Planning Lawyer employer: Womble Bond Dickinson

Womble Bond Dickinson is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and inclusive work culture, providing ample opportunities for professional growth and development. Located in a vibrant city, our team enjoys a supportive environment where experienced lawyers can lead significant infrastructure projects while mentoring junior colleagues, ensuring a rewarding career path in planning law.

W

Contact Details:

Womble Bond Dickinson Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🀫

We think this is how you could land Planning Lawyer

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the latest developments in planning law, especially the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997. Being well-versed in current legislation will not only boost your confidence but also demonstrate your commitment to the role during discussions.

✨Tip Number 2

Network with professionals in the real estate planning sector. Attend industry events or webinars where you can meet potential colleagues and learn more about the challenges and opportunities in the field. This can give you valuable insights and connections that may help you stand out.

✨Tip Number 3

Showcase your enthusiasm for renewable energy projects. Given the increasing focus on sustainability, highlighting any relevant experience or interest in this area can set you apart from other candidates and align you with the firm's values.

✨Tip Number 4

Prepare to discuss your experience with complex mandates and project management. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully navigated planning agreements or judicial reviews, as this will illustrate your capability to handle the responsibilities of the role.

We think you need these skills to ace Planning Lawyer

Legal Qualification
Planning Law Expertise
Environmental Law Knowledge
Experience with Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997
Understanding of Planning Agreements
Knowledge of Highway Agreements
Judicial Review Procedures

Some tips for your application 🫑

Understand the Role:Thoroughly read the job description for the Planning Lawyer position. Make sure you understand the key responsibilities and required qualifications, such as experience in planning, infrastructure, and environmental work.

Tailor Your CV:Customise your CV to highlight relevant experience that aligns with the requirements of the role. Emphasise your legal qualifications, post-admission experience, and any specific knowledge of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for planning law and your enthusiasm for working on large-scale projects. Mention any experience with renewable energy or significant planning agreements to stand out.

Highlight Your Soft Skills:In addition to technical skills, emphasise your ability to work collaboratively within a team and your commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace culture. This aligns with the company's values and can make your application more appealing.

How to prepare for a job interview at Womble Bond Dickinson

✨Showcase Your Planning Expertise

Make sure to highlight your experience in planning, infrastructure, and environmental work during the interview. Be prepared to discuss specific projects you've worked on, especially those involving large-scale development consent orders or environmental impact assessments.

✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Renewable Energy

Since experience in renewable energy is considered an asset, express your enthusiasm for this area. Share any relevant experiences or knowledge you have about renewable energy projects and how they relate to planning law.

✨Familiarise Yourself with Relevant Legislation

Brush up on the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 and other relevant legislation. Being able to discuss how these laws apply to real-world scenarios will show your depth of knowledge and preparedness for the role.

✨Emphasise Your Teamwork Skills

The role involves working closely with a national team, so be ready to talk about your collaborative experiences. Highlight instances where you've successfully worked with others to achieve project goals, particularly in complex planning matters.