Senior Associate

Watson Farley & Williams (WFW) is a sector-focused international law firm with extensive expertise and industry insight across its core sectors of energy, infrastructure and transport. Through its network of 19 offices, the firm advises clients on complex, high-value transactions and disputes - matters requiring precise legal execution and a nuanced understanding of global market dynamics.

The firm's success is driven by its people. It fosters a collaborative, inclusive and supportive environment where everyone can grow, share ideas and make an impact. Guided by its values -We are experts, We are united and We care - the firm delivers exceptional service through strong relationships and teamwork. The firm is committed to clear career paths, championing diversity and investing in its people so they can thrive.

The department

With a strong track-record of achieving positive outcomes, the lawyers in our construction group provide high quality advice in relation to all forms of construction dispute resolution. We regularly provide ongoing project advisory support to clients in connection with a broad range of projectsacross our three core sectors of Energy, Infrastructure and Transport. This includes projects in sub-sectors such as: solar, biomass, EFW, windfarms (on and offshore),conventional power, oil and gas, energy transmission, BESS, roads, bridges, airports, rail, social infrastructure (e.g. hospitals), high end residential and hotel developments,.

Effective and commercially astute, our dispute resolution lawyers regularly represent clients in large scale, cross-border and complex commercial matters, providing live project support/advise and- as appropriate- managing cases through to trial/final hearing and appeal where necessary.

With some of our partners acting as arbitrators and mediators, our lawyers have specific strategic insight when delivering a combination of litigation and arbitration services.

We frequently provide strategic advice in relation to different laws and procedural rules, whether in courts or arbitration.Experience in acting for a truly global client base, our lawyers have deep and broad experience of the complex issues that arise in cross-border matters - be they jurisdictional, choice of law, procedural or evidential.Our global team operates across our international offices and supports clients wherever they have a dispute.

The largest of our practices sits in London, but we also have award-winning teams in our other offices, including in South East Asia. We have the capability to conduct and support dispute resolution work in our other international offices, and, thanks to our strong relationships with leading correspondent law firms, in jurisdictions where we do not have a presence. Our lawyers work effectively together on complex and multi-jurisdictional cases.

The team recently increased its ranking in Legal500 as a Band 2 firm for construction contentious work. It is winning and pitching for larger and more prestigious mandates as the team continues to grow.

Role overview

WFW is seeking an experienced Senior Associate who can hit the ground running on complex contentious construction and infrastructure disputes, including adjudication, expert determination, High Court litigation and international arbitration, while bringing specialist knowledgeacross a range of matters in the energy sector, transport and infrastructure sectors as well as familiarity with standard form construction contracts such as NEC, JCT and FIDIC.

Skills and experience - essential

We would be interested in speaking with experienced Lawyers who:

• have qualified as a solicitor in England & Wales with at least 7 years' construction dispute resolution experience gained in a City law firm (or combination of City law firm and in-house experience)since qualifying;
• have excellent academic qualifications;
• are bright and ambitious;
• have experience of mediation, adjudication, Court proceedings (including specifically in the TCC) and/or International/domestic arbitration (with any expert determination experience being an added bonus);
• have proven legal and technical skills in dispute resolution;
• have relevant and significant experience of acting on complex cases, domestically or internationally or both;
• have some experience reviewing, vetting, drafting and/or amending and negotiating construction contracts and schedules of amendments thereto; and
• have experience of major forms including but not limited to JCT, FIDIC, and NEC.
• nuclear energy experience is as added bonus but not essential;
• membership of construction law industry organisations (e.g. SCL, TECSA etc) would also be an added bonus.

We offer a competitive benefits and wellbeing package for all employees.

Additional information

The Firm promotes a culture of agility and flexibility and is fully supportive of flexible working arrangements where these can be accommodated.We have also recently moved to a brand new office in Moorgate

Equal opportunities

Diversity and inclusion are integral to the firm's strategy and underpin its efforts to attract and retain top talent. All employment decisions are made objectively, based on merit and ability and the firm is committed to inclusive and barrier-free recruitment. As a Disability Confident employer, WFW welcomes adjustments for candidates with disabilities or long-term health conditions and participates in the Disability Confident interview scheme. If you would like to apply through this scheme or require adjustments during any stage of the process, please contact .