Lawyer
Guildford, Manchester or Birmingham
£58,434 - £67,199

Highways England is the company tasked by the Government to bring about a genuine transformation of the strategic road network in England and we are now delivering our first five-year Road Investment Strategy. Implementing this Strategy involves many diverse legal challenges. To meet these challenges, Highways England wants to bolster its existing complement of lawyers with the appointment of a lawyer to advise in the areas of public and planning law, commercial and procurement law.

This is an important opportunity for a qualified solicitor or barrister with experience in some or all of the above areas to work on, among other things, major commercial transactions and major road and infrastructure schemes. The role will involve contract drafting and negotiating and advisory work across all the areas described above, including litigation. Candidates with experience of public law would be particularly welcomed.

Reporting to the General Counsel, Tim Reardon, the candidate appointed will be dealing with senior directors in Highways England as well as senior officials in government along with commercial counterparties and other stakeholders. An ability to engage and communicate effectively, to work as part of a team, and bring sound judgment and practical solutions to problems are essential attributes for this role.

The General Counsel team are mainly based from our Guildford office, however, this role will be flexible in terms of office base.

Responsibilities

• Drafting, negotiating and advising on contracts.
• Advising on other aspects of commercial law such as procurement law.
• Advising on public law issues including judicial review.
• Working with external lawyers on larger matters.
• Generally providing advice and support that takes into account the commercial and business environment in order to provide practical solutions, as well highlighting potential future business and legal risks.

Relevant Experience

• Solicitor or Barrister qualified and experienced in some or all of the legal fields detailed above with an emphasis on public law.
• Track record of clear drafting, sound legal judgement and an appreciation of legal risk; and being able to produce legal advice which is succinct, accurate and constructive.

Closing date: 11th July 2016.