Construction Law Principal Associate

An excellent opportunity has arisen for a Principal Associate to join our nationally recognised Construction team within the Real Estate Department. This role can be based in Liverpool, Birmingham, or Newcastle.

• Manage a caseload of construction disputes, with the ability to run adjudications.
• Assist other team members with their caseloads of contentious (and, where applicable, non-contentious) construction work.
• Advise clients on dispute resolution processes, including adjudication and mediation.
• Draft correspondence, pleadings, witness statements, instructions to counsel, and attendance notes.
• Where applicable, support non-contentious matters by drafting and negotiating standard forms of contract (such as JCT and NEC4), consultant appointments, sub-contracts, collateral warranties, performance bonds, and parent company guarantees.
• Work with the team to develop client relationships and identify business development opportunities.
• Meet financial and chargeable targets, and adhere to deadlines and quality standards.

You will join a team advising private and public sector clients across sectors including commercial development, PRS, student accommodation, local government, transport, education, health, utilities, energy, and investment. The role offers exposure to high-value multi-party disputes and multi-million-pound developments.

We welcome applications from solicitors with 5+ years’ PQE and a demonstrable interest in construction law, ideally with a focus on contentious work.

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• 5+ years’ PQE experience in construction law (essential)
• Ability to lead and run a disputes-focused caseload, with experience of adjudications
• Non-contentious experience would be valued but is not essential
• Excellent team working skills
• Strong academics and technical knowledge
• Excellent IT and typing skills
• Excellent communication, time management, and organisational skills
• Ability to multi-task, prioritise, and work to strict deadlines and targets
• A flexible and proactive approach