Job Vacancy
Construction Solicitor NQ-4 Year PQE
Holmes and Hills are a large and growing regional law firm with its heart in East Anglia. We have seven successful offices across Essex and Suffolk – including the A12 Commercial Hub at J25 off the A12.
Our legal industry professionals work in partnership with clients to provide truly proactive legal services through personal relationships.
Acting as a trusted advisor to individuals, businesses and local authorities, the solicitors and support staff at Holmes & Hills take the time to understand clients’ objectives before delivering practical advice through a personal and accessible approach.
THE ROLE
We’re looking for a motivated and commercially minded solicitor to join our growing Construction team.
This is an excellent opportunity for a trainee approaching qualification or a recently qualified solicitor who has gained experience in construction or general litigation and is keen to specialise in this sector.
You’ll work closely with Partners Sam Bawden and Lawrence Pearce, who act for a broad range of long-standing clients across the national construction supply chain. The team comprises six fee earners and is known for its high-profile client base, complex disputes, and proactive, practical advice.
You’ll be joining a forward-thinking firm during a period of exciting growth. From day one, you’ll have exposure to live matters, direct client contact, and the chance to take on genuine responsibility with the support of experienced partners.
Business development is an integral part of how our team operates. You’ll be encouraged to contribute to client engagement, networking, and thought leadership activities as the team continues to expand.
For those currently completing their training contract, we welcome applications from candidates who have developed a strong interest in construction law during their litigation seat, even if you haven’t completed a dedicated construction seat. Full training and ongoing support will be provided to help you develop your expertise and progress your career.
The successful candidate will be a current trainee looking to qualify into construction or an NQ who has already had exposure to, or begun to specialise in, Construction litigation.
The candidate will be working closely alongside Sam Bawden (Partner) and Lawrence Pearce (Partner) who have a wide range of long-standing clients across the construction supply chain nationwide. The team (6 fee earners) is highly successful and has several high-profile clients. You will be joining a forward thinking firm in a period of exciting growth and expansion and the candidate will be encouraged to assist in the team's growth with business development opportunities from the start.
For candidates currently approaching the end of their training contract, construction may have been an area touched upon during your litigation seat and we would welcome applications from those that have a keen interest in construction but may not have undertaken a full training seat.
Regardless of the level of experience, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to be involved in a wide range of matters from day 1 and will be provided in-depth training to support their career.
Recent examples of work the team has acted on:
Strategic partnerships with key trade associations, including the Scaffolding Association, National Association of Shopfitters, and the Federation of Traditional Metal Roofing and Lead Contractors, providing members with industry-specific advice and ongoing legal support across both contentious and non-contentious matters.
WHAT EXPERIENCE DO I NEED?
Ideally you will have knowledge and experience within construction and have qualified into this area of Law. Alternatively, have undertaken at least one Litigation seat during your training contract and have an understanding and keen interest in working within a Construction team.
WHAT SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES SHOULD I HAVE?
Holmes and Hills are a large and growing regional law firm with its heart in East Anglia. We have seven successful offices across Essex and Suffolk – including the A12 Commercial Hub at J25 off the A12.
Our legal industry professionals work in partnership with clients to provide truly proactive legal services through personal relationships.
Acting as a trusted advisor to individuals, businesses and local authorities, the solicitors and support staff at Holmes & Hills take the time to understand clients’ objectives before delivering practical advice through a personal and accessible approach.
THE ROLE
We’re looking for a motivated and commercially minded solicitor to join our growing Construction team.
This is an excellent opportunity for a trainee approaching qualification or a recently qualified solicitor who has gained experience in construction or general litigation and is keen to specialise in this sector.
You’ll work closely with Partners Sam Bawden and Lawrence Pearce, who act for a broad range of long-standing clients across the national construction supply chain. The team comprises six fee earners and is known for its high-profile client base, complex disputes, and proactive, practical advice.
You’ll be joining a forward-thinking firm during a period of exciting growth. From day one, you’ll have exposure to live matters, direct client contact, and the chance to take on genuine responsibility with the support of experienced partners.
Business development is an integral part of how our team operates. You’ll be encouraged to contribute to client engagement, networking, and thought leadership activities as the team continues to expand.
For those currently completing their training contract, we welcome applications from candidates who have developed a strong interest in construction law during their litigation seat, even if you haven’t completed a dedicated construction seat. Full training and ongoing support will be provided to help you develop your expertise and progress your career.
The successful candidate will be a current trainee looking to qualify into construction or an NQ who has already had exposure to, or begun to specialise in, Construction litigation.
The candidate will be working closely alongside Sam Bawden (Partner) and Lawrence Pearce (Partner) who have a wide range of long-standing clients across the construction supply chain nationwide. The team (6 fee earners) is highly successful and has several high-profile clients. You will be joining a forward thinking firm in a period of exciting growth and expansion and the candidate will be encouraged to assist in the team's growth with business development opportunities from the start.
For candidates currently approaching the end of their training contract, construction may have been an area touched upon during your litigation seat and we would welcome applications from those that have a keen interest in construction but may not have undertaken a full training seat.
Regardless of the level of experience, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to be involved in a wide range of matters from day 1 and will be provided in-depth training to support their career.
Recent examples of work the team has acted on:
- In-house training for various clients in contract management, introduction to construction law and dispute avoidance.
- High-value adjudications across the construction supply chain, including interim and final account disputes and complex claims for loss of profit following repudiatory breaches by national housebuilders.
- Successful enforcement proceedings in the Technology and Construction Court (TCC), including cases involving jurisdictional challenges and declaratory relief under Part 8 claims.
- Advising on and drafting bespoke construction contracts, from JCT and NEC amendments to pre-construction risk management and negotiation support.
- Acting for a national main contractor in connection with a major UK infrastructure project, advising on live dispute avoidance and strategic contract management.
- Representing a specialist groundworks contractor on a £28 million package at a nuclear power station, including claims for delay, disruption and variations.
- Obtaining urgent injunctive relief on behalf of a leading scaffolding company to recover misappropriated equipment valued at over £500,000.
Strategic partnerships with key trade associations, including the Scaffolding Association, National Association of Shopfitters, and the Federation of Traditional Metal Roofing and Lead Contractors, providing members with industry-specific advice and ongoing legal support across both contentious and non-contentious matters.
WHAT EXPERIENCE DO I NEED?
Ideally you will have knowledge and experience within construction and have qualified into this area of Law. Alternatively, have undertaken at least one Litigation seat during your training contract and have an understanding and keen interest in working within a Construction team.
WHAT SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES SHOULD I HAVE?
- Strong Communication skills
- Pro-active thinker
- Keen to learn and grown with a team
- Great marketing and networking skills or motivation to learn these skills
- Self-motivated
- Competitive basic salary
- A supportive, relaxed and flexible work environment in an experienced and growing team.
- 28 days holiday per year, plus bank holidays
- Medicash cash back schemes after 1 years’ service
- Life Insurance
- EAP and various other physical and mental wellbeing support services including virtual GP access 24/7
- Family friendly policies such as enhanced maternity and paternity pay plus, family events leave
- Cycle scheme
