Trowers & Hamlins is a City-led, international and national law firm with over 170 partners and 1000 staff. With offices across the UK, Middle East and Far East.  Our global footprint is further enhanced by our strategic partnership with Interlaw which works to facilitate our management of multi-jurisdictional matters.  We have leading practices in Corporate, Litigation, Tax, Banking and Finance, Real Estate and Private Wealth. 

We've always been proud of our natural commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and value the variety of our partnership.  We are different and we believe it is our people that make us unique. We expect and respect that you and your talents are too. Our strategic direction is shaped by a desire to grow our business in a way that is responsible and sustainable and has the principles of ESG at its core, guiding the way we operate firmwide.

Recent work of the planning & environmental team

The planning and environmental team undertakes a huge variety of both contentious and non-contentious matters. Some of the team's high profile and significant matters that have been watched closely by the sector include:

• Advising Leicestershire County Council on the CPO and SRO for the A511 Growth Corridor Scheme
• Advising on the planning and compulsory purchase aspects of the Langarth Garden Village Urban extension in Truro, Cornwall
• Acting for the Developers of the Broadwalk Shopping Centre Development in Bristol which will deliver 820 new homes.
• Advising the organisers of the Boardmasters Surf Festival, Watergate Bay, Newquay, Cornwall securing permanent consent for the event;
• Advising East Devon District Council on the implications arising from the Biodiversity Net Gain requirements arising from the Environment Act 2021.
• Acting for Vistry on the planning, highways and compulsory purchase aspects of their Drakelow Park development comprising 1,500 new homes.
• Advising British Telecommunications PLC on the planning aspects of the roll out of new soft cell technology within the public realm;
• Advising the London Borough of Enfield on the regeneration of Meridian Water; working with various professionals, including insurers, to develop the Council's strategy for land and groundwater remediation and negotiating the associated apportionment of environmental risk between the parties.

What you will be doing

Our planning and environmental team works as a cohesive national team. Fee earners are exposed to work from across the country, regardless of which office you are affiliated with. By adopting this "one team" national approach, fee earners gain exposure to an exciting and varied range of work, and work with colleagues across all our offices.  

Principal responsibilities:

• Advising on matters including but not limited to:
• Complex planning applications.
• Section106 agreements.
• Section 278 agreements.
• General planning advice in respect of major development schemes in the waste sector, the affordable housing sector, as well as the private developer sector.
• Acting for planning authorities in relation to CPO work.
• Enforcement issues, High Court litigation and public inquiry work.
• Judicial review
• Planning and environmental due diligence on commercial and corporate transactions
• Advising developers, funders and purchasers on contaminated land and remediation liability
• Advice on invasive species and protected species
• Advice in connection with the environmental impact assessment process.

General responsibilities:

• Building and maintaining effective client relationships
• Active participation in marketing initiatives
• Ensuring files are managed in compliance with Lexcel procedures
• Participating in firm-wide and departmental training sessions
• Training and development of junior legal staff and secretary (where appropriate)

What you will need

The firm has a Career Development Framework which sets out the competencies we expect of those at the Associate grade. In particular for this role we require:

• Drive and enthusiasm.
• Strong client focus and a commitment to service delivery.
• Commercial awareness.
• Credibility
• Good team player.
• Flexibility and can do attitude.
• Excellent technical skills and innovative approach to their application.
• Proven ability to take on responsibility, manage and progress matters independently where appropriate.
• Aptitude for business development.
• Substantial client management experience.
• Proven track record in origination/business development.
• Solid academic record.
• Qualified solicitor with 0 - 3 years' PQE in Planning work or equivalent.
• Methodical, disciplined and organised approach.

Trowers & Hamlins is an equal opportunities employer and values equity, diversity and inclusion. All applications will be considered on merit and the applicant's suitability to meet the requirements of the role and will be treated equally irrespective of Ethnicity, Gender (including Trans and non-binary) Race, Disability, Religion and sexual orientation.

If you require any further information on any of our vacancies or would like to discuss any adjustments or additional support that you might need either during the recruitment process or after the offer stage, please feel free to contact our recruitment team on recruit@trowers.com

As part of our firm recruitment policy our candidates are subject to employment screening background checks. These checks include personal details, education and employment history, professional qualifications and credit and criminal checks as appropriate.