Senior Associate, Construction Disputes

We’re Norton Rose Fulbright - a global law firm with over 50 offices and7,000 employees worldwide.

Our London office is currently recruiting for Construction Disputes Associate . As well as the relevant skills and experience, we’re looking for people who are innovative, commercial and value the work that they do. We celebrate multiple approaches and points of view and believe diversity drives innovation, so we’re building a culture where difference is valued.

The Team

As part of the world’s largest disputes team, our construction practice offers a comprehensive and commercially focused service to major developers, owners, employers, contractors, funders and all other stakeholders in the construction and engineering industry. We advise on the full range of national and international standard-form construction contracts (including FIDIC, NEC, JCT and LOGIC), as well as bespoke contract forms and project agreements.

Our extensive experience covers commercial and industrial real estate; rail, road, port and airport infrastructure; waste and water facilities; power generation facilities; oil and gas facilities; mining and ancillary transport and logistical facilities.

Our disputes practice is recognised for providing commercially astute advice across all the main dispute forums. In addition, we provide tailored support to clients on live construction projects, designed to avoid and manage commercial differences before they escalate into formal disputes. Our experience includes:

International Arbitration

• Advising a Qatari employer in a US$500m ICC arbitration concerning claims for extensions of time and defects in relation to a gas fired power plant constructed pursuant to a FIDIC based EPC contract
• Representing a Russian subcontractor in relation to a US$70m ICC arbitration in Geneva regarding disputes with a main contractor under an EPC subcontract relating to an oil hydroprocessing facility in Russia

Litigation

• Acting on behalf of a contractor in the Technology and Construction Court on a split liability, and damages procurement challenge against a local authority under the public procurement regulations
• Acting for a world leading lift and escalator company in a high value multi-party dispute in the Technology and Construction Court in defending a claim brought by the owner of a shopping centre in the UK for alleged defects and/or non-performance of certain equipment.

Adjudication

• Conducting adjudications on behalf of a UK contractor against various airport authorities regarding entitlement to compensation in respect of works taken under an amended form of NEC3 contract
• Acting for a London based leading market insurer in defending an adjudication claim brought by a building contractor concerning a commercial development in central London

Alternative dispute resolution

• Advising the British owner of a large offshore windfarm in an expert determination with its contractor concerning (amongst other things) the payment for certain works relating to the offshore substation platforms and the wind turbine generators
• Acting for an Omani employer in a $US$80m expert determination concerning claims by its EPC contractor for extensions of time and additional costs in relation to a 2000mW gas fired power plant.

The Role

An opportunity has arisen for a mid-level lawyer to join our construction and infrastructure team in London on a contract to cover maternity leave. The role will focus on contentious construction work across a range of sectors including infrastructure, transport, energy and natural resources spanning domestic, international and cross border matters. Clients include employers, developers, funders and major contractors.

The successful applicant will have a high level of responsibility for day to day management of contentious matters, aiding in the management and supervision of junior colleagues and reporting to supervising partners. In addition the role will involve maintaining a close working relationship with and supporting our award winning banking and projects practice on a range of matters.

Skills and Experience Required

Applicants should be a qualified lawyer in England & Wales or other common-law jurisdiction and be able to demonstrate:

• Excellent academic background
• Solid experience acting for commercial clients in contentious matters encompassing domestic, international and cross-border issues
• Experience of a wide range of dispute resolution methods including litigation, international arbitration, adjudication and major forms of ADR
• Familiarity with major standard domestic and international forms of construction contract including JCT, NEC and FIDIC is required together with experience of associated transaction documents and the full range of procurement routes
• Experience of working in the energy, infrastructure, transport and resources sectors and on project financed matters would be beneficial
• Taking a major role on matters on a day to day basis with clients and supervising junior colleagues
• Experience of preparing submissions and evidence and working with experts and counsel
  Strong understanding of a client’s commercial outlook
• A positive, motivated approach and strong organisational abilities

Based right next to Tower Bridge (and within striking distance of London Bridge and The City) our office is accessible and home to 1,000 employees. Our clients come first and whilst we expect the best from all our employees, in return we offer an exceptionally competitive pension, private healthcare, plus a range of flexible benefits.

At Norton Rose Fulbright encourage workforce diversity in all aspects and at all levels and in doing so create an environment where everyone can realise their full potential and career ambitions on the basis of merit and skill. Our commitment to inclusion across race, gender, age, religion, identity, and experience drives us forward every day. Find out more about Diversity and Inclusion here

Norton Rose Fulbright is an equal opportunities employer. We want our application process to be open to everyone, so if you are unable to apply for a position online or require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process - even if you’re not sure what adjustments you might need - please contact our Recruitment team onEMEARecruitment@nortonrosefulbright.com

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