Senior Associate – Construction – Bristol – 5+ Years PQE

Overview

In this role you will advise and negotiate construction contracts for a broad client base, focusing on non-contentious matters while remaining open to occasional contentious work. You will craft and review contract terms across major suites and support large regional and national development projects. You’ll collaborate with clients, consultants and project teams to deliver practical, commercial solutions. The opportunity sits within a forward‑thinking Real Estate practice at a leading UK law firm, offering growth through development programs and high-profile projects.

Pay / Benefits

• Flexible, friendly and inclusive working environment
• Agile working arrangements to support work-life balance
• Michelmores Academy development framework
• Work on high-profile, complex national projects
• Collaborative culture
• Career progression support

Responsibilities

• Advise on and negotiate construction contracts, appointments and ancillary documents
• Review and advise on contract terms for employer and client side organisations
• Draft across contract families including JCT, NEC, FIDIC, IChemE, EPCs, O&Ms, bespoke agreements and collateral documents
• Support high value regional and national development projects across sectors (energy, infrastructure, health, education, commercial, consumer brands)
• Collaborate with clients, consultants and project teams in person and via Teams
• Manage a varied, fast-paced caseload with support from Partners and Managing Associates

Key requirements

• At least 5 years’ PQE in Construction and Engineering
• Strong experience in non contentious construction matters (contentious experience beneficial)
• Extensive drafting and negotiation experience across major contract families
• Experience acting for funders, employers, contractors and consultants
• Strong commercial awareness and a proactive, solutions focused approach
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to manage competing priorities and work collaboratively within a busy team
• Motivation, initiative and a genuine interest in business development

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Collaborative approach
• Proactive problem-solving
• Drafting and negotiating across major contract families (JCT, NEC, FIDIC, IChemE, EPCs, O&Ms)
• Contract review and terms negotiation
• Contractual risk assessment and advisory

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