Associate

Shakespeare Martineau is a law firm with big ambitions for both our clients and our people. We are one firm of original thinkers, inspired to create an outstanding future for our clients, our people and our community. 

Working with organisations of all sizes our team delivers a broad range of specialist legal services, and has particular expertise across sectors including but not limited to; energy, education, banking & financial services, investment funds and advanced manufacturing.  

Our vision is to be the outstanding legal force in our specialist sectors and markets. Our people are renowned for their flair and individuality.

We firmly believe that people and spirit are at the heart of everything we do. Our commitment is to help all our people fulfil their careers and ambitions and we strive to create an environment where each individual can understand and then achieve their full potential. Great performance for us is a blend of excellent technical and business skills and the talent and drive to do things differently.

Our Litigation & Dispute Resolution group has a long-standing experience of working with some of the most successful and influential businesses in the UK and also internationally. Our specialist teams combine expertise with a sound understanding of the commercial landscape to provide exceptional solutions for every aspect of our clients’ corporate requirements.

Our experienced Construction & Engineering team is well known for being genuinely unique by the construction industry by including not only lawyers, but chartered construction professionals, including a building surveyor and chartered quantity surveyors, and an experienced tribunal member. We provide a legal and industry support service from inception to completion of construction projects with specialist ability to advise clients during life of contract/project to avoid disputes or lessen impact on progress of project/costs. We carry out all standard non-contentious and contentious work as well as specialising in managing risk in bespoke procurement. We also have significant experience in adjudication both as tribunal and representing parties. Our construction expertise spans across a range of sectors including commercial, industrial, healthcare, residential, retail and education.

The role: 

We are looking for an Associate to join our Nottingham based Construction and Engineering team, part of the firm’s Litigation & Dispute Resolution group.  

The role is to produce high quality legal services to clients on all aspects of non-contentious construction work.

Your key duties will include:

• attending and running client meetings
• taking clients’ instructions
• giving clear advice in correspondence and in person
• drafting documents, letters and contracts tailored to the client’s individual needs
• negotiating with clients and other professionals to secure agreed objectives
• working in a team and sometimes referring matters to the head of department
• assisting and supervising more junior fee earners, delegating appropriate work to paralegals and supporting more senior team members on large complex matters
• taking a proactive approach to business development

Skills and experience you will have:

• a minimum of 5 years’ experience in dealing with construction law and matters
• experience of drafting and negotiating amendments to standard form contracts (for example JCT/NEC) as well as bespoke forms of contract, appointment and collateral warranties on a variety of commercial and residential projects
• some previous experience in managing or supervising others

Key competencies you will need:

• motivation to take up a challenge at an exciting time
• some previous experience in managing or supervising others
• ideally strong connections to and a knowledge of the local market place

Due to the nature of the work undertaken, confirmation of employment will be subject to a variety of checks which will be carried out once an offer of employment is accepted. Details of the checks can be found here.

Shakespeare Martineau is a committed equal opportunities employer. We seek to attract, develop and retain talented people from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures. We value and respect individuality and encourage a culture within our business where people can be themselves and be valued for their strengths and experiences. Everyone who either applies to or works for the firm is treated equally, regardless of their gender, age, ethnic origin, nationality, marital status, sexual orientation or religious beliefs.