Group Overview
Clifford Chance's Construction Group is unique in operating at the top tier of all construction industry sectors. Our approach is to be innovative and commercial, providing a complete and market-leading service to clients.
The Group's four main areas of work comprises
Energy
We work across the energy spectrum. We are working on pathfinding renewable and energy transition technologies including green hydrogen, nuclear, floating offshore wind, CSP+storage, sustainable aviation fuel and CCS projects in addition to our established market leading position on fixed bottom offshore wind, onshore wind, hydropower, PV solar, thermosolar, biomass, energy from waste and conventional (gas) energy projects. Recent examples include major new nuclear projects in the UK and Belgium, the first commercial-scale offshore wind projects in South Korea and Japan, the first utility scale floating offshore wind projects and a hydropower project in Mozambique.
Real Estate & New Communities
From urban regeneration to trophy single assets; from sports stadia to luxury hotels, from residential to office; and dynamic new asset classes such as data centres, film studios and major railway infrastructure-adjacent developments. Current examples include Battersea Power Station redevelopment, London Bankside, leading global data centre developers and the Qiddiyah entertainment district.
Social and Transport Infrastructure
We are proud to be associated with some of the world's most iconic and vital transport, utilities, defence and social infrastructure projects. We are currently working on light rail projects, new hospitals and major new bridges and tunnel projects across Europe, Africa and Latin America.
Industrial Processes and Natural resources
We cover all industrial process facilities from mines to mills. We work on some of the world's largest mineral deals including LNG liquefaction and regas projects, refineries and petchem facilities and mining projects. We are currently extremely active up and down the EV battery supply chain, from EV gigafactories, to CAM plants, to mining and lithium processing facilities.
Key Attractions
The only leading law firm to maintain a highly specialist construction team of such size and dedicated cross-sector focus.
The future of the practice: the quality of our instructions and the continuing success of the Construction Group make it one of the leading places to be doing this kind of work.
A wide variety of instructions from a variety of clients, including the very biggest and complex deals. We work with some of the firm's strategic clients on projects which will touch and change all of our lives – often involving pathfinding technology.
Regular training sessions, alternating between detailed, single issue reviews and broader industry topics – an intensive regime of training and skills development keeps us at the top of our game as Construction Lawyers.
Knowledge sharing – members of the Group regularly contribute to blogs and pitches as well as delivering workshops to clients and contacts.
A highly competitive base salary, with potential for a substantial bonus under the Clifford Chance bonus scheme.
Great prospects for long-term career development.
Who you will work with
The prominence of our Construction Group makes this an unrivalled opportunity for high calibre candidates who wish to work on the biggest and most iconic projects globally to develop their careers in a fast-moving sector. We aim to be market leaders in the sectors in which we operate and look for Lawyers who share this ambition.
As part of the group, you will work closely with the firm's top-ranked Energy & Infrastructure, Real Estate, and International Arbitration Groups, often in other offices in the network. Our clients are primarily project sponsors and developers, but we also advise lenders, investors and contractors.
The Construction group in London is made up of 2 Partners, 2 Counsels and approximately 10-14 Lawyers and Trainees. It is also the central hub of our global construction group of over 100 Lawyers. Our work regularly involves projects in Africa, Latin America as well as Continental Europe and the UK.
The group is non-hierarchical and junior Lawyers may find themselves working directly with Partners as well as senior associates and also handling certain matters themselves.
What you will be responsible for
As a Lawyer at Clifford Chance your remit will be to apply your full knowledge of the law within your specialist area by identifying legal issues, drafting and advising clients. We have an extensive education programme, but you will also be expected to be proactive in ensuring that your technical expertise is up to date. You will collaborate in knowledge initiatives for the Firm.
Lawyers working in our Construction Group act for sponsors/developers, funders, contractors and other project participants and you can expect to be involved in the drafting, negotiation and analysis of construction, operation/fm and ancillary documentation.
There is a clear transactional bias to the Group's work and our Lawyers are required to involve themselves in the management and organisation of teams of clients, Lawyers and professional advisers. You will utilise client focus initiatives to understand and drive service levels to meet client needs.
Managing matters with a disciplined practice is key, including adhering to matter opening and conflicts clearance processes.
We have a wide range of tools and support services available and you will be expected to utilise Best Delivery tools: e.g. templates, Legal Support Centre, Resource Management, Legal Project Managers and Matter Balance Reports.
We encourage all Lawyers to take charge of their own development and you will be expected to complete any mandatory and relevant skills, risk and legal training.
Qualifications
Your career experience so far
Minimum criteria / essential requirements
- You will be a qualified lawyer.
- You will have gained experience at a similar firm, or at an overseas similar common law practice.
- You will have gained junior to mid-level non-contentious construction experience as a pracitising lawyer working on large international or complex construction projects.
Skills and knowledge
- You will be able to demonstrate excellent document drafting skills.
- Strong communication and analytical skills, along with a high level of commercial awareness.
- Good exposure to collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams.
- To have an appetite for developing client relationships and thought leadership.
How we will support you
From your first day with us, you will have varied opportunities to continuously grow and development your skills and knowledge. From formal training, informal coaching and mentoring through to skills-based and technical training and on the job learning.
As well as recruiting the best people, we insist on the professional development of all our employees. Our Lawyers work continuously to develop both legal and personal skills through the training programmes offered by the 'in-house' law education system, the Clifford Chance Academy.
Company Description
Who we are
As one of the leading international law firms, our work spans jurisdictions, cultures, and languages – and so do our people.
We believe every career at Clifford Chance should be rewarding and stimulating – full of opportunities to learn, thrive, and grow. That’s why we’re so proud of our inclusive, friendly and collaborative approach to work.
You’ll find our clients in commercial and industrial sectors, the financial investor community, governments, regulators, trade bodies, and not-for-profit organisations.
But no matter who they are or why they’ve reached out to us, we provide a world-class service every step of the way. And that’s possible thanks to the entrepreneurial spirit and conscientious approach to work that you’ll find across all our teams.
Whatever your area of expertise, Clifford Chance is a place where the brightest minds meet.
Hybrid Working
This role follows our 'balanced' hybrid working approach and as long as business needs allow, you will be supported to work in a hybrid way with the expectation of working from the office for a minimum of 50% of your time.
Additional Information
Equal opportunities statement
At Clifford Chance, we understand that our true asset is our people. Inclusion is good for our team and their families, our firm and society.
We are committed to treating all employees and applicants fairly and equally regardless of their gender, gender identity and expression, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour, national or ethnic origin, social or economic background, disability, religious belief, sexual orientation, or age. This applies to recruitment and selection, terms and conditions of employment including pay, promotion, training, transfer and every other aspect of employment.
We have a variety of flourishing employee networks. These networks are a place for colleagues to share experiences and advocate for change wherever they see an opportunity for improvement.
Our goal is to deliver an equality of opportunity, an equality of aspiration and an equality of experience to everyone who works in our firm.
Find out more about our inclusive culture here.