Atkins is one of the world’s most respected design, engineering and project management consultancies, employing more than 18,000 people worldwide, including around 8,500 in the UK.
We’re part of SNC-Lavalin, one of the leading engineering and construction groups in the world and a major player in the ownership of infrastructure.
We support public and private sector clients with the delivery of complex infrastructure projects, from upfront strategic advice to large, outcome-focused programme management. Whether it’s providing social and economic infrastructure to enable cities to flourish or the connectivity of people and places fuelled by technology and big data, Atkins helps achieve success.
Atkins is looking to appoint an in-house Legal Adviser: Infrastructure who has experience working for a leading private practice law firm and/or has relevant in-house legal experience. You will be working on acquisitions and disposals, setting up complex joint ventures, managing disputes such as PI claims and advising the commercial team on contract negotiations.
Your primary role will be as a second legal adviser to Infrastructure reporting to the lead Infrastructure lawyer but you will also be working alongside a team of lawyers delivering legal advice to other UK divisions and corporate functions.
You may be required to take on work from other areas as workload peaks and troughs across the legal team, reporting to the UK&E Legal Director. You may also be required to take on responsibility for further business units in addition to Infrastructure as the legal team develops and/ or the UK & Europe division restructures.
- Level: 2 – 3 year PQE lawyer supporting the Infrastructure division reporting to the lead lawyer for the Infrastructure business unit
- Location: Office based in Epsom with travel as required to UK offices
- Salary: Competitive compensation package
Responsibilities
- Reviewing a wide variety of contract documents, including consultancy agreements, industry standard documents (GC WORKS, FIDIC, NEC3), collateral warranties, parent company guarantees, confidentiality agreements, and master services agreements.
- Assisting with the negotiation of sale and purchase agreements and the negotiation and drafting of joint venture agreements.
- Assisting in evaluating disputes brought against/by the company and managing the resolution of those claims with the business units and insurers.
- Liaising with and assisting in managing external lawyers on litigation and all other matters including tribunal claims, M&A work, large and complex non-contentious matters and professional negligence claims.
- Liaising with other corporate functions (Tax, Treasury, Insurance, Company Secretary, Compliance) to ensure compliance with corporate governance requirements.
- Assisting in the maintenance, developments and drafting standard terms and conditions and policies, procedures and guidance notes.
- Training of staff within the business on legal/commercial developments or issues.
- Attending senior meetings, commercial meetings, stagegate reviews (bid go/no go) and quarterly business reviews in multiple locations across Atkins’ offices in the UK or wherever required.
RequirementsEssential
- Excellent academic qualifications (including degree)
- Training contract with a leading private practice law firm with relevant post qualification experience in-house and/or in private practice
- 2 –3 year’s PQE (other levels of PQE will be considered so long as the criteria set out in this job description is met)
- Requirement to attend all project meetings across the UK when necessary
- Excellent drafting skills and excellent attention to detail
- Sound commercial judgement
- Good organisational and communication skills
- Ability to deal with in-house clients at all levels including the senior management of the organisation
- Ability to thrive in a small, close-knit team
Desirable
- Experience in any of the following areas: construction, corporate, disputes or commercial contracts
- In-house legal experience: relevant secondment or otherwise
- Willingness to be involved in the training of others
This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If this is necessary it will be discussed with you at interview
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