Contentious Construction Senior Associate

Leeds – £70,000 - £80,000

Location: Leeds City Centre
PQE: 4+ PQE
Practice Area: Construction & Engineering (Contentious / Disputes)
Salary: £70,000 to £85,000 + up to 35% Bonus Plus a generous benefits package including private medical.

The Opportunity

A leading full‑service firm is looking for a talented Contentious Construction Lawyer to join its highly regarded Construction & Engineering team in Leeds. This is an excellent opportunity to handle complex, high‑value disputes while progressing your career within a collaborative and ambitious national practice.
You’ll work on heavyweight contentious matters across major development projects, energy and infrastructure schemes, and commercial real estate disputes. The team is involved in some of the most significant construction disputes in the UK, acting for developers, contractors, public bodies and international corporates.
This role is ideal for someone who enjoys resolving complex technical disputes, wants exposure to adjudications, arbitrations and litigation, and values a firm where progression is transparent, local, and genuinely achievable.

You will focus primarily on contentious construction, including:

• Managing and advising on construction and engineering disputes across the project lifecycle
• Running adjudications, arbitrations, TCC litigation, and pre‑action negotiations
• Advising on issues such as defects, delay, payment, variations, termination, professional negligence, and contractual interpretation
• Working closely with clients to develop dispute strategies, early resolution options, and risk management approaches
• Reviewing and advising on contracts including JCT, NEC, FIDIC and bespoke agreements in the context of disputes
• Collaborating with real estate, commercial and corporate teams on multidisciplinary matters
• Supporting major energy, infrastructure, development and regeneration projects

What They’re Looking For: 

• Have 4–8 years’ PQE with strong experience in contentious construction matters. A mixed construction experience will be accepted.
• Be confident running adjudications, drafting claims/defences, and managing complex disputes
• Have solid knowledge of industry‑standard contracts (JCT/NEC etc.) and how they operate in disputes contexts
• Enjoy working collaboratively across teams and sectors
• Be comfortable supervising and mentoring junior lawyers
• Want to build long‑term relationships with high‑profile clients
• Be looking for a firm that offers clear progression and visibility over your career path

Why This Role?
This is a standout opportunity for a lawyer seeking top‑tier contentious construction work without the London hours, in a national team known for its quality, culture, and sector expertise. You’ll join a growing Leeds practice with access to major national and international disputes, all within a supportive and forward‑thinking environment.