Here at VWV, our construction team are looking for a positive and engaging lawyer, ideally with a couple of years or more expertise, to join our friendly Bristol-based team. This is a fantastic opportunity to join a full service top 100 UK law firm, where you'll gain experience in a wide variety of high quality instructions.
About us
Although significant in size with just over 600 employees and four offices in Bristol, Birmingham, London and Watford, the first thing you'll notice about us is our close-knit and friendly culture. We're just not like other firms! We believe in integrity and authenticity- in each one of us being ourselves both in our interactions with each other as well as with our clients. What does that mean for you? Well, it means you'll be part of a team, a department and a wider firm that doesn't do airs and graces or arrogance… you'll be part of the "VWV family".
We enjoy a reputation not just for excellence but also for being a firm of "thoroughly good eggs" - a winning combination that ensures a working day here at VWV is based on honesty, collaboration and warmth.
The role
Our Bristol based team comprises two Partners (Huw Morgan and Jason Prosser), a Legal Director, an Associate, two Solicitors, a Trainee Solicitor and a Senior Paralegal. We're looking for a construction lawyer with around 2 years or more experience to join our supportive and busy team. Ideally, you'll have a mixed repertoire of contentious and non-contentious expertise and will be looking to take on a broad range of high-quality work across a variety of sectors including waste, infrastructure, higher education, health and commercial property development.
As regards the work itself, part of your role will involve drafting, negotiating and advising on a range of standard and bespoke forms of construction and engineering contracts (JCT, NEC, IChemE, IET, ACA) . Whilst small in size, our team punches well above its weight. We work with clients at every stage of the construction process in both the private and public sectors including property developers, funders, investors, contractors and consultants. Our instructions range from the provision of advice upon small discrete issues to being asked to be responsible for the entire contract matrix for a new commercial property development. One thing is for sure, our work is extremely varied and our clients are wide ranging.
Given that construction law involves supporting commercial property transactions and wider projects within the firm, you'll naturally find the role to be sociable and interactive. You'll have a love of team endeavour and enjoy working collaboratively with your colleagues across the offices helping to provide our clients with the seamless "one stop shop" service for which, here at VWV, we are renowned.
Where will I be working?
At VWV we have a truly unique and engaging culture that we hold dear. We work hard but we also love to have fun and we recognise that it's the social interaction between us that really shapes our culture.
Whilst we work to a hybrid model, for this role we would like you to work from our Bristol office for 2 or more days of the week. In this way, you'll benefit first-hand from our warm and friendly culture as well as facilitate cross referral opportunities from your colleagues in other teams. We are of course happy to discuss any specific requirements of hybrid working with candidates on an individual basis.
Why choose us?
There are so many reasons to stop and explore VWV further. We're known for our friendly and welcoming culture where teamwork and collaboration are key. There's no pigeon-holing or glass ceilings here, just a professional yet relaxed culture where you can finally be yourself.
At VWV, we're committed to your growth with our bespoke Learning Academy, offering structured career-level programs across core business areas to prepare you for promotion opportunities and career advancement - join us to unlock your full potential.
We're striving to be an inclusive employer of choice, to create a workplace environment that promotes and values diversity, where everyone, regardless of background, can reach their full potential. During the assessment process we've supported a range of reasonable adjustments in the past though we continue to learn and evolve to create the best possible candidate experience for everyone. If you'd like to discuss what's possible — even if you're not sure what you might need — please reach out to our recruiter, who'll be happy to talk through options and share what's worked well for others.
Not sure whether to apply?
Making the next career move is one that can feel immensely daunting and we've all been there! It's more than likely you'll have one or two questions on the role or firm before you feel happy to apply. If so, please contact me, Emma Latchem-Hughes, Talent Acquisition Advisor (Lawyers), in complete confidence on 07340 632798 or elatchem-hughes@vwv.co.uk and I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Ready to join us?
Whilst we're renowned for our transparent and welcoming culture, we know that making the next career move can be daunting. We've all been there! To help you to get more of a flavour for life at VWV and to find out what our own people say about us, we invite you to watch this short video on the right hand side. If you feel ready to apply, then please click on the red "Apply Now" button at the foot of the advert.
Research shows that people from diverse backgrounds sometimes hesitate to apply unless they meet every requirement. At VWV, we believe potential and attitude are just as important as experience so if you're enthusiastic about this role, we'd love to hear from you.
Recruitment Agencies
VWV has made the financial investment to employ an in-house talent acquisition team to adopt a direct sourcing strategy which supports the future growth of the firm. If you're an agency and think you might have a suitable candidate, please make an anonymous approach to Emma Latchem-Hughes in the first instance, and we'll be in touch if we're interested in finding out more. Please can we ask that you do not contact our Partners directly.
