Contentious Construction Senior Associate

Location: North West and Yorkshire based 
Salary: £75K to £95K DOE
 
If you're looking for work that genuinely stretches you, work that sits at the heart of major national and international projects, this role will be right up your street.
 
This Construction & Energy Disputes team advises on some of the most high‑value, high‑profile matters in the sector. The work isn't routine. It's complex, often high‑pressure, and involves helping big‑name clients navigate disputes on major energy, infrastructure and development projects. The team takes a practical, commercial approach: resolving issues early where possible, and running adjudications, litigation and arbitration effectively when it's not.
 
You'll be part of a large, well‑resourced national team with plenty of support and a genuinely collaborative culture. They work closely with colleagues across different areas, so there's real variety and plenty of opportunities to get involved in bigger strategic mandates.

What you'll be doing

• Advising a mix of UK and international clients on disputes across energy, infrastructure and the wider built environment.
• Helping clients manage risk on major projects and steering them through contentious issues when they arise.
• Running your own matters while supporting and developing more junior lawyers.
• Getting involved in business development and helping shape where the team focuses its efforts.
• Working closely with colleagues across other practice areas to deliver joined‑up advice on complex, multi‑disciplinary projects.

What we're looking for

• A qualified solicitor with 5+ years' PQE in contentious construction. Candidates from a mixed background will be considered if more weighted on the contentious side.
• Strong experience with adjudication, litigation, arbitration and general construction disputes.
• Confidence working with major contract suites and the ability to interpret them in a way clients can actually use.
• Someone who can break down really complex issues and present them clearly and calmly.
• A strategic mindset - you look beyond the immediate dispute to understand the wider project and commercial picture.
• A supportive, collaborative approach, especially when it comes to mentoring junior team members.

 
You'll be working on big, meaningful matters with clients who expect high‑quality, practical advice. The team has the scale, experience and reputation to support you, but you'll also get the autonomy to shape your own work and contribute to the direction of the group.
 
If you want to take the next step in your construction disputes career and you enjoy a mix of serious technical work, client contact and strategic input this is a strong place to do it.