Associate - Construction & Engineering

About Gowling WLG We have more than 1,400 legal professionals working around the world. Our offices span across 19 cities in Canada, the UK, Continental Europe, Asia and the Middle East. There's strength in our global presence - we embrace our differing cultures and work together as one team. We also understand the importance of investing in relationships that build knowledge and trust, while we provide legal advice that's tailored to our clients' world. 'Our people and distinct culture are what makes us different. We know this through client and employee feedback and this drives everything we do'' Chris Oglethorpe, HR Director. There are great opportunities for all our people to flourish. Through training and personal development they can grow in their role. Our people are the cornerstone of our success, across legal, business support and early talent. We care about their happiness and believe in the power of teamwork. We want them to feel empowered and recognise that by supporting, respecting and embracing everyone's different contributions we achieve more. Working flexibly, working fairly Agile working offers people more freedom and flexibility in where, when, and how they work. As technology advances and our workforce becomes more diverse - and with clients often working to a 24/7 rhythm - having extra flexibility is key to helping us balance work and other commitments sensibly and productively. By supporting people to choose where and when they get their work done, we help them to make a full and fair contribution to their team - while maintaining that all important work-life balance. Where possible and depending on business needs, we will consider all flexible working options such as part-time working, job sharing, working from home and staggered hours. If in considering a role with Gowling WLG you favour flexibility in your working arrangements, please discuss this with the recruitment team in the early stages of the application process. About the Team Our construction team comprises over 30 lawyers, including 8 partners, and is one of the largest (and most experienced) construction teams in the UK. We offer in-depth legal and technical expertise in every area of construction law and we pride ourselves on providing proactive and realistic advice to assist in the successful negotiation and management of contracts. Our advice is based on detailed knowledge of the industry - its practices, procedures and processes, both on-site and off-site - and members of the team include a former quantity surveyor with practical experience of major projects. Clients include many of the UK's leading development, funding, residential, retail and industrial companies, a significant number of public sector bodies and major contractors. We routinely advise on procurement and project matters, usually for employers, but also for contractors, which gives us an insight into the objectives of both sides. All members of the team are familiar with the standard forms of contract (JCT, ICE/ICC, NEC, MF/1 etc) and their common amendments. Main Purpose of the Job To advise property developers, contractors, funders, purchasers, tenants and major corporates on high value, high profile construction projects across all sectors. Main Duties and Responsibilities Advising in relation to all non-contentious construction issues, including specifically: taking instructions from and exploring with the client, his professional team or any relevant third parties the legal and non-legal objectives of the project; liaising throughout with the client, his professional team or any relevant third parties; advising on procurement routes and choice of contract; drafting and negotiating contract amendments, bonds, PCGs and collateral warranties; drafting and negotiating professional appointments, novation agreements and collateral warranties; advising in relation to construction obligations in funding/development/purchase agreements and agreements for lease. Ensuring the client's position under such agreements is backed-off under the construction documentation; producing contract summaries; arranging for production and execution of contract documentation; undertaking due diligence exercises for funders, purchasers and tenants and reporting on the adequacy of contract documentation and negotiating the same if required; Advising major contractors on contract terms and producing 'traffic light' reports; Any other reasonable duties delegated by any Partner, Senior Manager or Practice Operations Support Manager of the firm. Key skills and experience A desire to advise on a range of different construction developments A strong track record of acting for commercial property developers and funding institutions with a proven ability to negotiate with major contractors and consultants A proven ability to give pragmatic, commercial advice Excellent time management and organisation skills Team player who is willing to get involved in new areas of work Comfortable dealing with clients, under appropriate levels of supervision Sound drafting, negotiation and problem solving skills Calm under pressure Strong interpersonal and communication skills N.B. Newly qualified lawyers will be considered for this opportunity. Equal Opportunities Gowling WLG is committed both to promoting equality and diversity in the firm and to Equal Opportunities in employment. The firm believes in equality of opportunity regardless of race or racial group (including colour, nationality, ethnicity, national origins), religion or belief, age, disability, sexual orientation, sex, gender re-assignment and gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy, maternity and paternity. This also includes any incidents of perceptive or associative discrimination and harassment. At Gowling WLG we seek to attract and retain talented people from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures, to create an exciting and rewarding place to work. Our aim is to fulfil everyone's potential and together to achieve personal and business goals.