Planning and Environment Solicitor – Leadership level

Overview

In this senior leadership role you will build and steer a new Planning & Environmental practice within a respected law firm. You will advise on planning law, environmental regulation, EIAs, and permitting, serving developers, energy clients, and public bodies. You’ll lead client engagements, represent clients at hearings, and collaborate with colleagues across real estate, construction, corporate, and energy teams. The role combines strategic direction, team mentoring, and high-profile project work across NI, ROI, and GB markets. This is a chance to shape a market-leading practice and footprint in the region.

Pay / Benefits

• competitive salary and benefits
• performance-based rewards
• career progression prospects
• senior leadership opportunity
• exposure to high-profile work

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of a new Planning & Environmental practice
• Provide expert advice on planning law, environmental regulation, impact assessments, planning appeals, enforcement, and permitting issues
• Act as primary advisor to developers, energy companies, local authorities, and commercial clients
• Represent clients at public inquiries and planning hearings
• Collaborate with colleagues across real estate, construction, corporate, and energy teams
• Mentor and support junior lawyers as the team grows

Key requirements

• Qualified solicitor in NI
• Minimum of 3–10 years’ PQE with a specialist background in planning and environmental law
• Significant experience advising on planning applications, environmental permitting, statutory compliance, EIA, and enforcement issues
• Strong track record handling complex matters for public and private sector clients
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities and experience managing teams or leading initiatives
• Excellent communication and client-handling skills

• Strategic thinker with a commercial mindset
• Confident in leading client engagements and managing high-stakes matters
• Collaborative across cross-functional teams
• Planning law
• Environmental regulation
• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

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