Associate/Senior Associate - Construction Disputes - Cambridge

What does the role involve?

This is an exciting opportunity for you to join a fast growing, friendly and award winning team that delivers high quality work for an impressive list of clients. You will be part of a team which is top ranking in the legal directories.  You will join our national construction and engineering team in our Cambridge office, to undertake a wide range of work including advice on all aspects of adjudication, ADR and tribunal work as well providing contract management support.  

With support and guidance from senior lawyers and our PSL team, you will work on your own matters which include drafting adjudication documents, advice notes and strategy documents.  You will also have an opportunity to represent clients at meetings and hearings.  You will also participate in client seminars and work with the team to contribute to the strategy to grow the practice.  

Why should I apply?

This is an ideal opportunity to develop your career with our highly ranked law firm.  Our work is varied and interesting and you will work on high value and complex claims.  We provide clients with the best legal advice in conjunction with having a practical strategic understanding of the commercial risks and pressures specific to them.  We will provide you with the support to enable you to take on a leading role in our team and to grow and develop your career accordingly. 

What experience is required?

You will have 2+ years' post qualification experience gained in a regional, national, international firm or as part of an in-house team. You will have a good background in construction dispute work and be able to demonstrate working as part of a team on cases. You will also be able to show an understanding of, and an interest in, helping to grow a team and a practice. 

What skills and attributes would I need?

The role of a construction disputes lawyer is a challenging one, but also very rewarding.  The necessary skills and traits needed to be an exceptional practitioner include the following:

• Excellent written English and a keen eye for detail
• Ability to build relationships with clients, potential clients and multipliers
• Strong negotiating skills
• Self-starting, with common-sense and initiative
• Excellent interpersonal and team skills, including ability to work with others
• Good research skills, including an ability to use online information sources
• Good IT skills

You will be able to demonstrate an:

• interest in construction disputes law
• ability to understand the environment that clients work in and to deliver “advice that advises”, both orally and in writing
• ability to assimilate a lot of information quickly and focus on the key issues

You will have:

• flexibility to apply fundamental legal and commercial skills to a diverse range of disputes
• dedication to providing outstanding client service
• ability to work under pressure

Who will I be working with?

You will be working with a range of construction partners, in particular Alexandra Pike.  Alex is based in Cambridge, but you will also work with the construction team in other offices.

What else should I know?

Mills & Reeve is a major UK law firm renowned for its outstanding service to national and international clients, for its collaborative culture and for its deep sector expertise.  The firm has been named for a record 20th year running as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in The Sunday Times’ annual survey and is the only UK law firm to have achieved this.  We are also delighted to have been named by RollonFriday as one of the top law firms in the UK for the eighth year running. 

Pre-employment screening

Please note that, in the event that we make an offer for a role, we will conduct pre-employment screening that includes, but is not limited to, a basic DBS check, right to work check, any disciplinary history recorded with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and a self-declaration to assess your character and suitability for the role.  A full policy of the screening the firm undertakes is available on request.

Disclosure and barring service check and security clearance

This post is also subject to a satisfactory response from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) (to check for any previous criminal convictions and cautions) and, given the nature of the work-type, you may also be required to undergo national security vetting to SC level – the latter can be undertaken following commencement of employment. 

And finally

Mills & Reeve is committed to building a diverse workforce and fostering an inclusive environment in which all our people can thrive. We hire people from a wide variety of backgrounds because it makes our firm stronger, and we have a collaborative culture that celebrates different perspectives and values respect for one another, working together, and openness and integrity. Our approach to flexible working means that we work in a way that achieves the right balance for our people, our clients and for our business.