New - our client is a leading Legal 100 firm with an outstanding reputation for all construction, engineering, and infrastructure matters. Due to growth, an exciting opportunity has arisen for an ambitious Construction Associate (or Senior Associate) to join their Chambers-rated construction, engineering and infrastructure team and assist on a broad range of hybrid matters based in their Bristol office. This is a unique opportunity to join a specialist team of expert lawyers spread across the UK, Ireland and Middle East, delivering an innovative service to a broad range of clients. The construction team are recognised as leaders in the legal directories and advise on some of the most prestigious projects around the world working for some of the largest consultants, contractors, developers, employers and funders. Whilst maintaining high standards of client care, the team offer a friendly, supportive and inclusive environment in which to develop your career and achieve your full potential. Along with managing client relationships and business development skills, for the professional and financial risks team, preferred candidates will have some experience of: Defending professionals including some or all of Solicitors, Accountants, Surveyors, Insurance Brokers, IFAs, Directors and Officers Preparing reports for Insurers with the ability to explain and advise succinctly on difficult and complex areas. Advising on case strategy. Liaising with senior professional clients in a variety of disciplines. Managing the Insurer/Insureds relationship, being aware of potential conflicts. Preparing cases for court at all levels, including case management documentation, interlocutory applications, expert instructions, witness statements and trial preparation. Monitoring critical dates and ensuring compliance with Insurer service level agreements. Understanding all systems and procedures and have the ability to explain and advise clients on those procedures. Delegating and supervising more junior members of the team. We are looking for team players with experience on the contentious side of adjudication, arbitration and litigation in the TCC as well as the ability to give practical and commercial advice at an early stage where projects are in distress; Typical disputes include; interim and final payments disputes, professional negligence claims and issues of delay and defective works. We are ideally seeking a 3-8 PQE Associate / Senior Associate to advise primarily on non-contentious matters. The team work on both contentious and non-contentious matters and the firm are keen to encourage people to develop a wide skill set. The ideal individual will be familiar with JCT and NEC contracts from a purely construction and property development perspective. Experience of PPP or PFI transactions would be particularly valued, and similarly exposure to FIDIC or ICHEME forms would also be desirable. Skills / Experience Required We are interested in candidates with high calibre construction experience acquired at a leading national, regional or City law firm. Candidates with in-house legal experience at major contractor, consultant or public bodies will also be valued highly. 3-7 PQE Confident and personable Very familiar with JCT and NEC Wider procurement experience, such as PFI / PPP Strong technical competence and intellectual ability Commercial awareness Good communication skills (verbal and written) A team player with leadership potential Exceptional self-motivation Well regarded where you are An active networker On the non-contentious side, individuals should have experience of leading and advising on transactions, drafting and negotiating construction contracts and ancillary agreements and providing ongoing project advice; The team act for employers (corporates and high net worth individuals), construction professionals, contractors and sub-contractors and the successful candidate can look forward to a broad range of quality work across various sectors; There are opportunities for career progression as the team continues to grow and all team members are encouraged to develop their own practices and contacts; All team members are encouraged to participate in business development and the team regularly host case law updates and workshops for clients and contacts, as well as marketing generally to the industry. The successful individual should be interested in and have an understanding of the construction and engineering sector and in turn will be fully supported to develop their own practices and contacts as well as ensuring the continued success and growth of the team and wider firm. Candidates should have good inter-personal skills, strong academics and high quality experience – typically with a major City or leading national/regional practice. Any prior knowledge of JCT form contracts, their amendments and market norms would be beneficial. The team advise on bespoke and complex agreements, procurement and contracting strategies, funding and financing agreements, contract tendering and frameworks and security documentation including advance payment bonds. The clients might include large developers, construction companies, or corporate owner/occupiers. the team has also been instructed by Lloyds market insurers in the defence of claims against construction entities. There will be an opportunity to run adjudications and court-based disputes with a high degree of autonomy (with support). There will be some opportunities to perform non-contentious construction work i.e. the drafting and negotiation of construction documents. Work might involve assisting our real estate colleagues on the construction aspects of development transactions including development obligations, warranties and copyright issues. Take responsibility for his/her own cases, and be happy to develop good working relationships with clients; Ability to bounce ideas off colleagues, and ask questions Carefully analyse information and reach sound decisions; Seek to recognise the commercial drivers and react accordingly; Recognise issues and problems that may arise and adapt (keeping clients and colleagues informed where necessary); and be able to listen and communicate effectively and succinctly both orally and in writing. A number of the construction partners and team members have previously worked in-house for major industry players, and so candidates with backgrounds in private practice or industry are equally of interest. The team have a number of fee-earners and partners highly ranked in the legal directories and the firm are recognised for their collegiate and supportive culture. This position would suit an ambitious individual looking for city quality work with greater flexibility for work-life balance. You can expect to advise employers: construction professionals; contractors and sub-contractors which will bring exposure across a broad range of matters. Business development and marketing activity is encouraged at all levels. A highly competitive financial package is on offer transparent career progression framework agile working. To apply, please submit your CV via the link belo w or contact: benstonorlegal.com