A highly regarded UK law firm is seeking an Associate or Senior Associate Planning Lawyer to join its market-leading team based in Bristol, known for compulsory purchase and broader planning work.
This is a growth hire, driven by increasing demand across infrastructure, energy and regeneration projects nationwide.
The role offers the chance to work on some of the most complex and high-profile planning matters in the UK, within a collaborative, progressive environment that genuinely values both quality of work and quality of life.
The Team
The planning team operates at the pinnacle of the legal market, advising both public and private sector clients across the full lifecycle of major development and infrastructure projects.
The group works on a fully integrated, cross-office basis and is widely recognised for its strategic input on nationally significant and politically sensitive schemes.
Lawyers in the team are known for combining deep technical expertise with a pragmatic, solutions-focused approach.
The Work
You will be involved in a broad mix of advisory and contentious planning work, which may include:
- Town and country planning and development consenting
- Compulsory purchase matters
- Nationally significant infrastructure projects
- Environmental impact assessment and related regulations
- Inquiries, judicial review and related public law challenges
The practice is particularly active across energy, transport, utilities and the built environment, including major infrastructure, regeneration and net-zero related projects.
Backgrounds Considered
The team is open-minded on background and welcomes applications from lawyers currently in private practice, local government, in-house roles and from leading planning teams in relevant overseas jurisdictions.
What They’re Looking For
- 3+ years’ PQE in planning law or closely related public law work
- Experience managing complex, high-value matters
- Strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative mindset
- Intellectual curiosity and a desire to work on nationally important projects
Why This Role?
- Exposure to nationally significant, often precedent-setting projects
- Clear, transparent progression framework
- Hybrid and flexible working as standard
- A professional but genuinely supportive culture where people stay long-term
For a confidential discussion about this role, and/or the market in general, in Bristol or elsewhere in the UK:
07376 288 737
jon.kennedy@ardentrecruit.com