Construction Associate

Job description

Yolk are working with a firm that has always worked across business and society, and this expertise sets them apart. Social and environmental impact are at the top of our business agenda. They champion fairness, make the complex simple and forge connections between clients to find creative solutions. This is how they improve outcomes for every person, community and business they serve.

With offices across the entire country, they are a UK & I based law firm with an international reach. Sectors include: health; real estate and construction; education; energy and infrastructure; financial services; government; insurance; manufacturing and industrials; and retail, consumer and logistics.

They nurture talent at all levels and from every background and celebrate what makes people individuals. Law needs all voices to reflect the society it serves and we're working towards social mobility, diversity and inclusion in our firm - and our profession. We strive to create meaningful personal and professional development opportunities and offer flexible working in support of a good work-life balance. We focus on wellbeing and individuality, so that all our people can thrive.

What is the working practice for this role?

Our expectation is that, on average, you'll work from home for no more than three days per week, with the remainder of your time either spent with your colleagues in the office or working from other locations as work demands dictate, e.g. courts, client offices, conferences etc. This is an average expectation over time and we know that there will be variations from week to week. Equally, there will be individual circumstances in which a different pattern of work is needed, for example as an agreed reasonable adjustment for colleagues with a disability or long-term medical condition.

We believe this approach:

fits with our values and personality;

will enhance our performance through greater flexibility;

advances our ambitions as an inclusive employer - helping you better balance work and family/life commitments;

offers opportunities to reduce our carbon footprint (travel, office services etc.), a key ambition underpinning our corporate sustainability plan

Why is this role important and how does it fit into the team, department & wider firm?

The construction team has grown significantly over the course of the past seven years and it is now looking to recruit a solicitor with excellent contentious and non-contentious experience to service current work flows and help grow this side of the business. This is an exciting role which will include servicing current work flows and helping grow this flow of work. The role is based in Cardiff, but will involve working with members of the team in other offices. The role will be varied and involve construction and engineering disputes of differing sizes and complexity, as well as project advisory work for a range of clients across a variety of sectors. The team works on both national and international projects. This role offers excellent opportunities in terms of levels of responsibility, high calibre work and a supportive environment in which to grow your career and develop your construction practice.

What does the role actually involve?

Candidates should be able to provide an effective legal service to a variety of clients, with an emphasis on the provision of cost effective solutions. The role will be both contentious and non-contentious. You will be expected to be competent in:

Specialist advice in all aspects of contentious building, construction and engineering work

The resolution of problems in construction law and the promotion of initiatives to this end

The ability to master complex regulations and procedures with careful attention to detail and to explain and provide advice to clients

The ability and willingness to support other areas of the practice where relevant e.g. providing technical support to our professional indemnity team

The ability to think laterally in order to consolidate and support a variety of disciplines

Enthusiasm for the provision of marketing support, e.g. providing seminars and / or lectures and / or workshops and writing bulletins / articles / blogs, updating literature etc.

Meeting financial goals with a good track record in achieving both targets. You are expected to achieve at least 6.5 hours chargeable time each day

Individual responsibilities would be designed in conjunction with your personal development plan

Person specification

Who would be a good fit for this role?

As part of the construction team, you would be expected to have the following skills and experience:

A strong academic background with experience in contentious and contentious work areas

Commercial awareness with a common sense approach to problem solving and the ability to follow through on ideas for improving service to clients

The ability to provide and communicate practical, commercial advice in a straightforward manner, assimilating facts quickly and working towards tight timescales

An enquiring mind, attentive to detail with a willingness to accept new challenges and able to manage own time effectively

A willingness to attend marketing and social events organised by the firm or its clients or professional organisations, maintaining professional relationships with clients and colleagues

Please contact Daniel Mason at our head offices for immediate consideration