We are working with a leading national law firm to recruit an Associate or Senior Associate for its growing Planning, Environmental and Infrastructure practice. This is a great opportunity for an experienced lawyer to work on high-value development, energy and infrastructure matters, with responsibility, visibility and a supportive team environment.
The Practice & Team
- The firm’s renowned commercial real-estate division combines deep, full-service property, planning, environmental, development and infrastructure expertise — offering clients a comprehensive service under one roof.
- The planning and environment practice, nationally recognised, advises a broad spectrum of clients — from developers and energy companies to public-sector bodies — across contentious and non-contentious matters.
- The partner leading the team brings deep expertise and sector-specific experience, including time in-house with major energy network and renewable-energy clients, giving the department real strength in both infrastructure and environmental mandates.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Advising clients on planning and environmental law: site promotion, consenting strategy, planning applications, environmental permitting, compulsory purchase, and development-plan work
- Handling contentious matters including planning appeals, public inquiries, judicial review, compensation claims, and other statutory/environmental litigation where required
- Working across multiple sectors — housing, commercial & industrial development, energy (including renewables and utilities), retail and mixed-use projects
- Collaborating with colleagues across real estate, environmental, energy and infrastructure teams to deliver integrated legal solutions for complex developments
About You
- You are a qualified solicitor in England & Wales (or equivalent), ideally with 3–6 PQE (but an exceptional candidate at another PQE level will be considered)
- You have experience in planning and environmental law; ideally with reasonable exposure to, or a keen interest in, both advisory and contentious work
- You have strong drafting and advocacy skills (for applications, consents, appeals or reviews) and commercial acumen to advise clients involved in large-scale or sensitive developments
- You can manage your own matters, collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, and communicate clearly with clients and stakeholders
Apply Now
If you’re a planning or environmental lawyer with ambition and appetite for high-stakes infrastructure and development work, we’d love to hear from you. Please contact Jon Kennedy on 07376 288 737 or via jon.kennedy@ardentrecruit.com