Why Addleshaw Goddard?
At Addleshaw Goddard we not only provide technical excellence and experience but, crucially, demonstrate real insight into our clients and what really matters to them. A natural choice for FTSE100 clients and their equivalents in other markets and for the best talent, our people fulfil their potential in an environment where they are developed and valued. We put ourselves in our clients' shoes, as part of a team of effective business people as well as efficient lawyers.
Our clients value and expect us to provide a range of knowledge management solutions for them. The expert and innovative support provided by our Knowledge Lawyers and central Knowledge team has been recognised in a number of awards including the LexisNexis Legal Awards, The Lawyer Business Leadership Summit & Awards, and FT Innovative Lawyers Awards.
We are an equal opportunity employer and we do not discriminate on the basis of a person's gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected characteristic. We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds and communities. If you want us to make any reasonable adjustments during the application or interview process to help you perform to your best, just let us know.
The Team
The Real Estate Division is one of Addleshaw Goddard's largest, comprising a team in excess of 250. Within Construction nationally, there are over 100 fee earners, 24 Partners and one Knowledge Lawyer (focussing on contentious work).
Addleshaw Goddard won the 'Real Estate Team of the Year' award at the Legal Business Awards 2020.
The work of the Construction group is hugely varied and includes Development, Energy, Social and Economic Infrastructure, PFI/PPP and Water and Utilities projects. The team covers the whole range of construction, engineering and procurement issues across both public and private sectors. We are also experts in dispute resolution and have successfully managed some of the largest disputes in the sector. We currently have many international arbitrations ongoing, significant cases in the TCC and have huge experience in adjudication. The team has significant growth aspirations based on its existing pipeline and other strategic opportunities, making this an exciting time to join.
Culturally the team is supportive, motivated and down to earth and works closely together to find innovative solutions and provide the best service possible. Addleshaw Goddard provides a strong, collaborative and friendly culture where we expect the best of each other. Our people fulfil their potential in an environment where they are developed and valued. We ensure everyone is given the opportunity to flourish, learn and grow. We are genuinely invested in our employees' development and careers and have evidenced the progression, opportunities and professional development on offer.
It is important that we provide a positive experience to everyone who works here and our focus on financial, lifestyle and wellbeing benefits ensures that this experience goes beyond the nine-to-five. As an employee at AG you will benefit from a flexible and agile culture. We are committed to making agile working accessible to all, balancing our employees' needs with the requirements of the team, the firm and its clients and living true to the values in our mindful business charter.
What does this role entail?
Developing and maintaining market leading precedent construction documentation: We have a leading reputation for the production of precedent construction documentation for use by the team generally and also for specific clients, with these having been developed originally by Richard Cockram, leading construction lawyer, author of the Manual of Construction Agreements and a partner at the firm for many years. This aspect of the role will include: developing the precedent bank from time to time to take into account legislative changes, such as the Building Safety Act 2022, and industry developments, such as the publication of JCT 2024.providing guidance and training to the team and answering their queries on the precedents.assisting with client queries on construction documentation. Being a thought leader and key contact in respect of the impact of the Building Safety Act 2022 on our clients: This role will put you at the leading edge of helping our clients navigate the complex regulatory framework introduced by the BSA. Our team is at the forefront of advising clients in relation to building safety issues and we would expect you to support them by being involved in thought leadership groups (such as PSL networks) and advising on the market approach to implementation of the BSA's provisions. Delivering training and contributing to Know How: working with our contentious construction Knowledge Lawyer, you will have the opportunity to assist the team to develop their legal skills and knowledge by organising and/or delivering training and by updating the team and our clients on the latest legal developments and their implications through, for example, briefings and horizon scanning. Working in a team that is strategically important to AG: Our Construction team is at the heart of Addleshaw Goddard and represents a formidable powerhouse. The team acts for a broad range of clients including Battersea Power Station, Norlake Hospitality (owner of Hoxton Hotels), Pension Insurance Corporation, PGIM Real Estate, Beltane Asset Management, Mount Anvil, Associated British Foods, Primark, Britvic, UPP, McLaren Developments, Royal Mail, Marks and Spencer and Travelodge.
Where and when will you work?
We are open to discussing the most appropriate pattern of work (be that location, hours, part time or full time) with you. The role will involve you working with all of our national offices and some travel on occasions will be required. We operate a flexible, hybrid working system and we look forward to discussing what works best for both of us for this role.
Who will you be?
You will be an experienced Construction lawyer (7 PQE+) seeking a change in role or a current senior Knowledge Lawyer/PSL with experience of working in a non-contentious Construction role. The successful candidate's grade (Knowledge Lawyer/Senior Knowledge Lawyer/Principal Knowledge Lawyer) will be confirmed and will be commensurate with the individual's experience and expertise.
Experience of JCT contracts/projects is key. Broader experience in other areas such as engineering contracts, energy and international projects and PFI/PPP and of other contracts (such as NEC, FIDIC, MF/1, IChemE and bespoke EPC contracts) would be helpful but not an absolute requirement. You will have a good knowledge of the Building Safety Act 2002 and associated legislation or be prepared to develop expertise in that area. The primary need is for a candidate with non-contentious experience. However, we would be pleased to hear from candidates able to offer a mixture of non-contentious and contentious experience.
Fundamentally, you need enthusiasm, resilience and ambition. That is, the ambition to improve yourself with the best possible work, making the most of the opportunities you will be given, whilst still having time to enjoy life outside work. You should be comfortable with the variety of work on offer, willing to embrace it and not be daunted.
We want to attract candidates who want to know how to become successful as part of a team culture.
You must have demonstrable academics or relevant experience or interests.
You can be sure that appropriate levels of responsibility will be given to you. In return we expect that you will welcome this and see this as an opportunity for your personal development.
What can you expect?
An attractive, market-leading pay package.
A supportive team culture where we all look out for each other, at all levels.
Regular engagement with senior lawyers.
We aim to provide a positive experience to everyone who works here. Therefore, we offer the following benefits:
Flexible and agile working Life Assurance & Income Protection Competitive employer matched pension contribution rate Health and wellbeing subsidy, up to £180 per year One day per year to volunteer (as part of our CSR initiative) Buy/Sell holidays (up to 5 days each year) Mental health and wellbeing initiatives such as The Mindful Business Charter, Mental Health Champions and 1:1 session with an in-house professional Market leading talent referral bonus incentives AG Excellence awards for the recognition of exceptional effort Opt in private medical and private dental insurance Opt in annual health screening Voluntary critical illness cover Annual discretionary bonus plan
OUR APPROACH: IMAGINE THE BEST YOU CAN BE
Everything we've accomplished can be traced back to our people and the way we work. Our reputation is something we are proud of, and constantly invest in.
Here, you'll do high calibre work, with high-character colleagues who care for one another and our clients.
Are you up for the challenge?