Job title
Principal Associate – Construction Lawyer
Level
4
Role Purpose
The Principal Associate Construction Lawyer will play a senior role within the Development team, acting as the primary Construction specialist. You will advise on a broad range of non‑contentious Construction matters across development, investment and financing projects, delivering clear, commercially focused advice to a varied client base. This is a unique opportunity to shape and grow a construction practice within a high‑performing Real Estate team, taking ownership of Construction aspects of major transactions, building strong client relationships, and working closely with colleagues across Real Estate, Corporate and other teams to deliver seamless, joined‑up advice. Alongside a strong fee‑earning contribution, you will play a key role in developing the Construction offering, supporting business development initiatives and building market profile to grow a dedicated Construction capability.
Key Responsibilities
* Act as the firm’s lead non‑contentious Construction specialist within the Development team.
* Take responsibility for shaping and developing the Construction offering, working closely with Senior Leadership to identify growth opportunities.
* Support the development of processes, precedents and best practice for Construction work across the firm.
* Lead on a broad range of complex non‑contentious Construction matters across development, investment and financing projects.
* Advise on procurement strategy, risk allocation and project structuring.
* Draft, negotiate and advise on a full suite of Construction documentation (JCT, NEC and bespoke), including building contracts, professional appointments, collateral warranties, guarantees and security documents.
* Lead Construction due diligence and provide strategic input into Real Estate and Corporate transactions.
* Act as a key point of contact for clients on Construction matters, building trusted and long‑term relationships.
* Play an active role in business development, identifying opportunities within the existing client base and supporting new client wins.
* Contribute to raising the profile of the Construction offering through networking, events and thought leadership.
* Maintain awareness of market developments and identify opportunities to expand the firm’s offering.
Person Specification
The criteria below will be assessed via application (A), interview (I), test (T), or multiple (A/I/T).
* Comfortable operating as the lead Construction specialist within a team, managing matters independently while collaborating across disciplines. (A/I)
* Interest in, and aptitude for, contributing to the growth and development of a Construction practice. (A/I)
* Experience building and maintaining client relationships and identifying further work opportunities. (A/I)
* Ability to model constructive behaviours, support colleagues and create clear direction through good judgement and positive influence. (A/I)
* Ability to manage complex and competing demands confidently, provide clear guidance, and build effective relationships with key stakeholders. (A/I)
* Shows a clear understanding of financial hygiene and contributes to achieving team and individual performance goals. (A/I)
* Existing or emerging client relationships would be welcomed but are not essential.
Technical Know How
* Proficient user of core business and legal systems (essential). (A/I)
* Excellent understanding of data security, confidentiality and risk (essential). (A/I)
* Adopts relevant tools and stays informed about new technologies (essential). (A/I)
Equal Opportunities Statement
Higgs LLP is proud to be a signatory of The Law Society’s Diversity, Inclusion Charter and a Disability Confident Committed Employer. These commitments reflect our dedication to building a workplace that is inclusive, accessible and welcoming to all. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences and identities. As part of our Disability Confident commitment we offer a guaranteed interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role and choose to opt into the Disability Confident Interview Scheme. We are also committed to ensuring that all applicants can fully participate in the recruitment process; if you require any reasonable adjustments, please let us know by contacting recruitment@higgsllp.co.uk.
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