Associate - Projects, Development and Construction
Overview:
Penningtons Manches Cooper is a leading UK and international law firm which provides high quality legal advice tailored to both businesses and individuals. We address the specific objectives of each client through our flair and technical expertise and offer a personal service founded on a strong team ethic.
Today, we have UK offices in the City of London, Basingstoke, Birmingham, Cambridge, Guildford, Oxford and Reading while our growing overseas network stretches from Asia to South America through our presence in Singapore, Piraeus, Paris, and Madrid.We have 140+ partners and over 850 people in total.
We have established a strong reputation in a variety of sectors, particularly (in relation to this role) in real estate, housing & accommodation, property investment, education, health, care, sustainability and renewables, and also work alongside our technology and private wealth teams.Our lawyers are recognised for their expertise in construction and projects, education, commercial property, retail, life sciences, and renewables. In these areas, we're acknowledged for our unparalleled market insight.
Among our clients we count multi-national corporations, public companies, local and regional authorities, major developers, professional partnerships, banks and financial institutions as well as private individuals and start-ups. We are conscious that our culture and close personal approach are vital assets and we are determined to maintain these as we increase in size.
Our broad international focus is supported by well-established links with law firms throughout the world. Penningtons Manches Cooper is also a member of Multilaw and the European Law Group, networks with representatives in over 100 countries, and many of our lawyers play leading roles in various international bodies.
Responsibilities:
Our specialist team provides a comprehensive range of construction law solutions across the wide spectrum of projects undertaken in the construction industry. Clients include private and public institutions, property owners and investors, developers, funders, contractors, specialist sub-contractors, suppliers and construction/design consultants.
At Penningtons Manches, we are involved with projects from the outset and work with clients to shape their procurement and contracting strategies. We negotiate and draft all types of construction and development documentation.
We help clients to prepare agreements that best reflect their interests and the appropriate sharing of risk. These can be based upon standard form contracts or on bespoke agreements, tailored to meet any project’s requirements. They vary from project specific EPC and EPCM contracts to multi-party and partnering working arrangements, and encompass NEC and traditional JCT contracts.
Our team also has extensive experience of advising on risks in live schemes, including preventing the failure of construction projects. This often links to analysing a contract to inform a client of its rights and responsibilities and suggesting next steps, and can cover such things as pay less notices and advising on issues of insolvency.
Most clients realise that formal disputes are to be avoided where possible though. As such, we are engaged to advise on live projects - to help avoid disputes and to shape commercial negotiations and deals. When formal disputes are unavoidable, we successfully represent clients across all dispute forums too.
Much of our focus is in the UK but we also advise on a range of international projects across many jurisdictions and work with our network of trusted international law firms and consultants where appropriate.
Essential & Desirable Criteria:
We are looking for a full time Associate to join our construction team. The ideal candidate will be 0-3 years qualified and have previous experience of working within a construction team or housing practice.
The candidate will mainly have experience of non-contentious construction law, std form construction contracts and some experience of commercial and/or housing development work.
A good working knowledge of the various std form contracts and appointments, including JCT, NEC and EPC forms, their standard amendments and market norms is ideal, as is a willingness to take on more bespoke, complex agreements, large scale due diligence exercises and/or typical development arrangements with appropriate supervision.
There will be opportunities to development know how and get involved with BD also and, as such, a desire to know the sector and work we are involved in is extremely important.
At our firm, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is a priority and at the heart of everything we do. We actively want to attract a diverse workforce and welcome applications from everyone, from all backgrounds. We are committed to promoting an inclusive culture where everyone can be their full selves and experience being seen and heard.You can find out more about our firm’s commitment, initiatives and Pennclusion committees here.
We ensure that there are equal opportunities and treatment for all job applicants and employees, at all stages of the recruitment process and employment, regardless of age, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, disability, race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and social background.We aim to provide adjustments for people who have a disability, long-term health condition (including mental health) or neurodiversity. If you would like to request an adjustment, please contact Emily.Green@penningtonslaw.com