Senior Associate - Construction Disputes - 8+ PQE - Exeter

Senior Associate - Construction Disputes - 8+ PQE - Exeter
Location: Exeter
Type of Role: Permanent, Full-time
Salary: £75,000-£90,000 (DOE)
Practice Area: Dispute Resolution & Litigation

A leading international law firm is seeking a Senior Associate (8+ PQE) to join its highly regarded Construction Disputes team in Exeter. With a strong national and international footprint, the firm offers the opportunity to work on complex, high profile matters within a collaborative, inclusive, and forward thinking environment committed to responsible and sustainable growth.

The Role
You will join a dedicated national contentious construction team, working on a broad range of UK construction disputes and collaborating closely with colleagues across multiple UK offices. Work will include:

• Alternative dispute resolution, including adjudication, mediation, pre action protocol matters, and litigation
• Dispute avoidance and risk management
• Contractual interpretation across major standard forms (JCT, NEC, ICE, FIDIC, PPC, GC Works) and bespoke contracts
• Professional negligence matters
• Primarily domestic projects, with opportunities to support international work
• Business development and profile raising activities
• Cross office collaboration with real estate, construction, and public sector teams
• Participation in firm wide and departmental training
• Building and maintaining strong client relationships
• Ensuring file management complies with Lexcel procedures

Candidate Requirements
The firm's Career Development Framework outlines the competencies expected at Senior Associate level. For this role, you will need:

• Qualified solicitor with 8+ years' experience in contentious construction
• Experience across litigation, arbitration (domestic or international), and adjudication
• Exposure to complex, high value defect disputes (desirable)
• Understanding of the Building Safety Act and its implications
• Experience acting for major developers, contractors, consultants, or public sector bodies
• Strong knowledge of JCT, FIDIC, and NEC contracts
• Demonstrable passion for business development
• Drive, enthusiasm, and a proactive, solutions focused approach
• Excellent communication skills and a collaborative mindset
• Proven ability to manage files effectively and supervise junior lawyers

How to Apply

For a confidential conversation about this opportunity, please contact:

Olivia Reed
Email: oliviareed@chadwicknott.co.uk
Phone: 0117 917 1515 / 07711 799761

The firm is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates. All applications are assessed on merit and suitability for the role, regardless of ethnicity, gender identity, disability, religion, or sexual orientation. Employment screening checks will be carried out as part of the recruitment process, including verification of personal details, qualifications, employment history, and credit/criminal checks where appropriate.

*At Chadwick Nott, we are committed to developing a diverse and inclusive culture as well as supporting our large client network achieve the same. We are an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications of all qualified candidates regardless of their age, sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, disability, culture or anything other personal characteristic. We champion and celebrate diversity in the workplace. Where a level of experience is indicated, please note that this is only a guideline.*