Legal Director / Partner – Construction – Bristol – 10+ PQE

Overview

Senior construction lawyer role in a leading UK law firm’s Bristol office, with autonomy to build and grow a regional construction practice supported by a national team. You will handle major standard form contracts, bespoke drafting, and construction disputes, while mentoring the local team and developing client relationships. The position blends contentious and non-contentious work with potential to shape strategy and contribute to thought leadership. This is an opportunity to lead a growing practice within a collaborative, top-tier environment.

Pay / Benefits

• Hybrid working
• Competitive senior level salary
• Clear route for advancement
• Strong mentoring and pastoral support
• Opportunities for business development and leadership
• Supportive, collaborative national team environment

Responsibilities

• Advising on standard form construction contracts (JCT, NEC, ICE, GC/Works, ACE, RIBA, RICS)
• Drafting and negotiating bespoke construction contracts
• Acting for borrowers and lenders on real estate finance construction aspects
• Handling construction disputes including litigation, arbitration, adjudication and ADR
• Providing project support to other departments (Real Estate, Corporate, etc.)
• Leading and mentoring construction lawyers as the Bristol team grows
• Managing and developing client relationships
• Supporting business development, networking and tender activity
• Contributing to thought leadership through articles and sector commentary

Key requirements

• 10+ years’ PQE at a strong regional, national or City firm
• Expertise across a broad range of construction matters (contentious and/or non-contentious)
• Strong technical drafting, research and communication skills
• Commercial, pragmatic approach to complex construction issues
• Proven ability to generate work and grow a client base
• Experience leading or developing a construction team
• Entrepreneurial mindset and enthusiasm for building a Bristol practice
• Confidence advising clients directly and managing high value matters
• Experience across sectors such as energy, public sector, regeneration and infrastructure, social housing, education and healthcare, housebuilding, supply chain

• entrepreneurial mindset
• strong communication and drafting abilities
• leadership and mentoring
• business development and relationship management
• construction contracts drafting
• contentious and non-contentious construction

…