Senior Associate / Legal Director

About us

Birketts is a full service, UK Top 50 law firm. With a heritage spanning 160 years, we have more than 700 lawyers and legal professionals and over 600 staff based in Bristol, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Ipswich, London, Norwich and Sevenoaks. We advise businesses, government and public sector organisations and individuals in the UK and internationally across four principal practice groups: Real Estate, Corporate Services, Dispute Resolution and Private Client.

We are defined by our Next Level Law proposition. We work with our clients as a proactive partner, horizon scanning and thinking ahead to the changes, challenges or opportunities that they may face.

Next Level Law is also applied to our people. Our collegiate culture means everyone is encouraged to achieve their next level in everything they do. RollOnFriday recently ranked us as the 6th best law firm to work at in 2026.

With our ambition to succeed, comes a strong desire to make a positive contribution to the communities we serve, and we are committed to delivering the objectives set out in our ESG strategy. Diversity plays an integral part in all that we do, with female partners comprising 45% of our partnership.

The team you will join

Our Construction team operates as one team in a joined-up manner across a number of our office locations and encompassing both contentious and non-contentious specialists. The team sits within our wider Dispute Resolution Division. The team's lawyers are experienced in dealing with both contentious and non-contentious construction matters, acting for a variety of both public and private sector clients, including further and higher education colleges, academies, local authorities and NHS Trusts, as well as funders, developers, contractors, sub-contractors and consultants.

Coming from a range of backgrounds, the depth and range of expertise means the team can work together in major and complex transactions and provide a sector based offering for all our clients. There is a strong team ethos which also means there is support and opportunity across the spectrum, ensuring pastoral support at all levels, mentoring, regular communication and a clear route for advancement.

The team's transactional work includes advising on industry standard form contracts (such as JCT, ICE, NEC, GC/Works, ACE, RIBA, RICS), as well as regularly preparing and advising on bespoke forms of contract, specialising in acting for both borrowers and lenders on the construction aspects of real estate finance transactions.

The work you will be doing

We are seeking the appointment of a senior associate / legal director level lawyer who is experienced in dealing with contentious construction matters.

You will be responsible for:

• Ensuring client needs are met with the highest standard of professionalism and efficiency.
• Live project and dispute avoidance advice.
• Contentious advice re the typical dispute resolution forums e.g. ADR, mediation, adjudication, arbitration, and litigation.
• Project support advice for other departments within the firm e.g. real estate, corporate etc.
• Maintaining and growing client relationships and contributing to the strategic direction and success of the firm.
• Leading and mentoring a team of junior lawyers, fostering a collaborative and supportive work environment.
• Participating in networking events, conferences and other business development activities to promote the firm's services.

Please note that this job profile is not an exhaustive list of duties but merely an outline of the key components of the role. You may be required by your line manager to take on additional responsibilities when requested.

What we are looking for

Birketts has designed a 'Talent Management Framework' which provides a career structure that will help us develop, retain and reward talented people.

• Knowledge of the main standard form construction contracts, in particular JCT and NEC forms.
• Experience of Adjudication, Litigation and/or Arbitration.
• Knowledge of methods of Alternative Dispute Resolution.
• Ability to mentor junior team members and contribute to team development
• Brings specialist legal expertise, aligns advice with clients' commercial objectives, directs research effectively, and drafts clear, accurate complex documentation
• Manages time recording and billing effectively, prices work profitably, supports credit control, meets financial targets.
• Demonstrates strategic business development, winning new clients, driving high-profile pitches, building a strong regional profile, and identifying cross-selling opportunities across the firm
• Manages matters and client relationships to a high standard, maintaining regular contact, meeting expectations, and demonstrating deep understanding of clients' businesses and strategic objectives
• Builds credibility and trust through strong relationships, continuous professional development, and championing positive change
• Proactively manages risk and compliance tasks, follows best practice, maintains practical Lexcel knowledge, and seeks feedback to drive continuous improvement
• Strong attention to detail to produce work documentation which is consistently of a high standard
• Professional integrity and a commitment to providing excellent client service
• To be competent in using Microsoft Word, Excel, time recording software, case management, Outlook and digital dictation

Hybrid Working

Birketts is a flexible business which has embraced a hybrid working model where our colleagues enjoy a mix of home and office working. During your 6 month probation period, there will be a requirement to be in the office full time whilst you are developing in the role. Once you have successfully passed probation, this role attracts a split of 60% office days and 40% working from home days per week.

We welcome applications from people looking for flexible, agile, and part-time roles and we are happy to explore your preferred working patterns as part of your application.

Benefits

As a Birketts colleague, you will be eligible to receive a wide range of benefits: