Solicitor, Projects (Construction)

About Ashurst

Ashurst is a leading progressive global law firm with a rich history spanning more than 200 years. We are proud of our history and are future-focused, having expanded into new technologies through our NewLaw division, Ashurst Advance, and our consulting arm. Our in-depth understanding of our clients and commitment to providing excellent standards of service have seen us become a trusted adviser to local and global corporates, financial institutions and governments in all areas of commercial law. To find out more please visit www.ashurst.com.

Team overview

The Ashurst construction group operates across three of the firm's core practice areas - real estate, projects and construction disputes - and is based across our London and Glasgow offices. The prominence of our greater construction group makes this an unrivalled opportunity for high calibre candidates who wish to work on the biggest and most iconic projects in the UK to develop their career in a fast-moving sector.

The group advises on the construction aspects of all types of property investment and development, property sales and purchases and both publicly and privately financed energy, transport, infrastructure and regeneration projects. The group also advises on procurement strategy and structure (including how and when to use bespoke or standard forms of contract) and will negotiate all forms of engineering and construction contracts and associated security documentation. Our global team includes a specialist group of contentious construction lawyers who have a strong track record of helping clients achieve the best outcomes in disputes including TCC litigation, adjudication and international arbitration.

The group acts for international and domestic large-scale developers, public bodies, funding institutions, project sponsors, contractors and consultants. As the challenges to our clients have increased over the last few years we have stayed true to our core offering of legal technical excellence wrapped in commercial awareness. This has enabled Ashurst to continue to fulfil the role of being a trusted advisor to our clients and strengthened our close relationships.

Job overview

The successful candidate would play a key role in the expansion of the range of transactional services that the Ashurst construction group provides to its clients from our London office.This represents an exciting opportunity to be part of a developing, strategic construction practice with plenty of scope for personal and career development.

You will work closely with high calibre clients and colleagues in London, Glasgow and throughout Ashurst's global network and can expect to have exposure to a wide range of high quality projects.

Main tasks and qualities:

• You will handle a broad range of construction matters, but focus on non-contentious matter relating to the development of power generation and infrastructure projects;
• You will take day to day responsibility for the progression complex matters. You will be able to demonstrate well-developed drafting and negotiating skills; and supervise more junior members of the team;
• You will have excellent attention to detail, identifying inconsistencies that indicate problems with quality of work or a misunderstanding of clients' needs;
• In conjunction with the existing members of the London construction team, you will act as a key point of interface with our Ashurst Advance colleagues based in Glasgow to find cost effective solutions for our clients;
• You will have a desire to build client relationships and develop your own internal and external networks with support and guidance from the partners and wider team; and
• You will be expected to liaise closely with colleagues, clients, counterparties and other advisers. You would be working as part of a committed team that is a leader in its field of practice. All members of the team have frequent client contact and must be willing to travel.

Essential skills and experience

• Strong academic background;
• Mid-level lawyer with experience from a top tier law firm;
• Strong general construction experience including experience of FIDIC, IChemE and NEC forms of contract;
• Enthusiasm to innovate and play a part in building Ashurst's construction offering in London; an adaptable person who is a fast learner;
• A team-player who can work effectively with colleagues at all levels;
• A great communicator;
• Client facing experience and the ability to understand and respond effectively to client needs;
• Experience of negotiating with counterparts; and
• A commercial approach.

Recent work

• Ashurst advises Connect Plus on all aspects of the operation of the M25 London orbital motorway - including road widening schemes, SMART motorways, tolling operations and bridge upgrades.
• Ashurst has advised HS2 in relation to the procurement of nine rail systems packages for the HS2 project and the key systems subcontracts (switches and crossings and slab track). Our role also includes advising on the development and implementation of novel and complex partnering arrangements with the rail systems contractors.
• Ashurst advises the funders in connection with the development and financing of the 882 MW Moray West offshore wind farm located off the coast of Scotland. The Ashurst team is advising in connection with all construction contracts for this disaggregated procurement covering foundation fabrication and installation, turbine supply and installation, cable supply and installation and the offshore platforms.
• Ashurst advised Brockwell as Sponsor in relation to the development of the North Kyle onshore wind farm in East Ayrshire, Scotland.
• Ashurst has recently assisted Conrad Energy with drafting and negotiating an innovative full-wrap Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) agreement for a new solar farm and associated battery storage site in Herefordshire
•  Q Energy on numerous bids to acquire battery storage projects in the UK, including two successful acquisitions. As a result, we are now advising Q Energy in relation to the construction of the acquired projects