Senior Associate - Construction Disputes

A leading, full-service law firm with a strong national and international presence is seeking an experienced Senior Associate to join its highly regarded Construction Disputes team in Exeter.

The Opportunity

Construction is a key area of focus for the firm, and the disputes team is recognised for handling complex and high-value matters across the sector. The team advises a broad client base including private and public sector developers, major contractors, consultants, and public bodies. This role sits within a well-established national team, offering the opportunity to work on a wide range of contentious construction matters, both domestically and, where relevant, internationally. You will collaborate closely with colleagues across multiple offices and practice areas, contributing to high-profile and technically challenging work.

Key Responsibilities

• Handling a wide range of contentious construction matters
• Advising on alternative dispute resolution, including adjudication, mediation and pre-action protocol processes
• Managing litigation and, where applicable, arbitration proceedings
• Providing dispute avoidance and risk management advice
• Advising on contractual interpretation and professional negligence claims
• Supporting clients on predominantly UK-based projects, with exposure to international work where appropriate
• Playing an active role in business development and contributing to the growth of the practice
• Building and maintaining strong client relationships
• Working collaboratively with colleagues across offices and disciplines
• Supervising and supporting junior team members
• Ensuring compliance with internal procedures and quality standards

Candidate Requirements

• Qualified Solicitor with approximately 8+ years' experience in contentious construction matters
• Strong experience across dispute resolution methods, including litigation, arbitration and adjudication
• Experience dealing with complex, high-value construction disputes (desirable)
• Good understanding of the Building Safety Act and its impact on the sector
• Familiarity with key standard form contracts such as JCT, NEC and FIDIC
• Experience advising major developers, contractors or public sector clients
• Proven ability to manage files effectively and prioritise workloads
• Strong commercial awareness and enthusiasm for business development
• Excellent communication skills with a collaborative and proactive approach
• Experience supervising or mentoring junior lawyers

This is an excellent opportunity for a senior construction disputes lawyer to join a progressive firm offering high-quality work, strong career progression, and a supportive team environment.