Job Description

Competitive Salary
We are looking for a full time Junior Associate or Associate to join our growing Construction Team. You will be a construction specialist with up to 4 years PQE or equivalent in mainly Construction law, preferably with experience of work in the public sector or related sectors.
You will provide legal support to other fee earners in your nominated area(s) of expertise and manage client case work, dealing with queries from clients and assisting senior lawyers in all legal matters, ensuring that the firm's clients receive a high quality of customer care and professional guidance at all times whilst working in line with the firm's business and strategic objectives.
In return you will have the opportunity to join a thriving, growing firm with a friendly, supportive and collegiate team atmosphere where work life balance is respected and encouraged.
We operate a hybrid working model, whereby employees can combine working from the office with working from home. The current policy provides an expectation of a minimum of one day a week in the office, subject to the needs of the firm, clients and colleagues.
Our office is within easy access of Kings Cross and Farringdon mainline stations and Chancery Lane tube.
Your responsibilities will include:
Client Management

• Managing client work allocated by a partner, senior associate or associate and delivering the same with supervision in accordance with detailed procedures and quality standards contained in the firm's Office Procedures Manual.
• Ensuring the confidentiality and security of all of the firm's and client documentation and information.
• Exercising high standards of client care in a professional and pleasant manner.
• Ensuring that all client work is progressed expeditiously and that the client team are kept regularly informed on progress and on costs.

Leadership & Management Responsibilities

• Supporting and developing junior staff, where applicable.

Practice Development

• Promote the firm's business development offerings by proactively engaging in any relevant sales and marketing activity including holding key events, writing articles, marketing, seminars, conferences, trade fairs exhibitions and involvement in tenders.
• Undertaking secondments to work at clients' premises if so required.

Financial Management

• Achieve designated levels of billing and time recording for case work and client work and ensuring all client activity can be accurately recorded, invoiced and billed to each client.
• Working closely with the Finance team to ensure all fee earning schedules are completed in a timely manner and inform client billing and invoicing in line with finance procedures.
• Demonstrate a good productivity rate and performance against personal financial key performance indicators (KPIs).

Professional Standards

• Understand, operate and ensure compliance with all policies, procedures, systems and controls to ensure the smooth, safe and effective running of the practice.
• Ensure good working relationships with external institutions and organisations.
• Comply with the Solicitors Accounts Rules and the Rules on the Professional Conduct of Solicitors.
• Ensure that Sharpe Pritchard adheres to and remains compliant with all statutory, regulatory and legal requirements to operate a safe working environment.
• Be familiar with, adhere to and promote the firm's equal opportunities policy.

Continued Professional Development

• Take personal responsibility for your own continuous personal and professional development requirements to enable personal growth.
• Comply with the relevant training requirements of the Solicitors Regulation Authority and assist with in-house training as may be required.

About you

• Shares knowledge among peers or offers advice to less experienced staff
• Good organisational skills with the ability to work under pressure
• Act as positive influence and role model within work team
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills
• Effective decision maker, taking timely decisions and embracing innovative solutions to solve problems
• Effectively manage own workload and time, and set an example for others
• Demonstrate good teamwork on assignments/projects/tasks and collaboration between groups and or departments
• Demonstrable research, analytical and drafting skills
• Good commercial judgement and business management
• Good practice development skills, builds client relationships and supports clients by ensuring they are kept up to date on progress and changes that affect them
• Ability to deal confidently with senior and experienced clients and advisers

Essential Requirements

• Qualified solicitor or recognised foreign equivalent/ILEX
• Up-to-date knowledge of and experience in contentious and non-contentious construction law and practice
• Knowledge and understanding of the Solicitors Regulation Authority Code of Conduct and other regulatory requirements
• Ability to handle meetings and negotiations with minimal support from a partner/senior associate

Desirable

• Strong academic attainment 2.1 Degree or equivalent
• Experience of public and local authority sector
• Experience of participating in marketing and BD activities
• Experience in supervision of trainees desirable
• Knowledge and familiarity with MS Office suite

Why join us?
We have been recognised as an outstanding place to work by in 2024, 2023 and 2022, increasing our rankings each year. We are a purpose driven organisation with an active social committee, Corporate Social responsibility committee, Equity and Diversity forum and Wellbeing Leadership Group. We are a signatory to the Mindful Business Charter.
It is central to our values that our teams reflect the diverse community around us and that everyone at Sharpe Pritchard can be themselves and bring their authentic selves to work. Achieving true equality, diversity and inclusion is a core aim and we very much welcome applications from all sections of our diverse community, irrespective of race or racial group, sex, sexual orientation, sexual identity, religion or belief, age or disability. We make reasonable adjustments within the recruitment process and upon joining the firm to support applicants of all abilities.
What you will be getting in return
Our office is based in London.
A generous bonus scheme is on offer alongside a competitive salary. You will gain professional development with a structured path to advancing your career. We provide a generous benefits package that includes but is not limited to:

• Generous annual leave, starting at 28 days leave per annum (two days of which must be taken at Christmas on dates decided by the firm)
• Private Pension
• Private Medical Insurance
• Life assurance
• Income protection
• Aviva Smart health (including virtual GP service)
• Individual learning and development
• Flexible working (for example, part time and home working)

Regular team events including:

• Social committee events throughout the year
• Monthly all staff lunches

For further information or to apply, please click on the 'Enquire/Apply' button below.

Skills Required