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Greater London, England, United Kingdom
Onsite
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer is a world-leading global law firm, where our ambition is to help you achieve your goals.
Exceptional client service and the pursuit of excellence are at our core. We invest in and care about our client relationships, which is why so many are longstanding. We enjoy breaking new ground, as we have for over 170 years.
As a fully integrated transatlantic and transpacific firm, we are where you need us to be. Our footprint is extensive and committed across the world’s largest markets, key financial centres and major growth hubs.
At our best tackling complexity and navigating change, we work alongside you on demanding litigation, exacting regulatory work and complex public and private market transactions. We are recognised as leading in these areas.
We are immersed in the sectors and challenges that impact you. We are recognised as standing apart in energy, infrastructure and resources. And we’re focused on areas of growth that affect every business across the world.
All of this is achieved by supporting the growth of our people, who help us deliver on our ambition – which is to help you achieve yours.
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer: Your goals. Our ambition
The Opportunity
Practice group / team
Our non-contentious construction team focuses on large-scale construction and engineering projects. We regularly act on landmark real estate development, energy and infrastructure projects
Our practice is balanced across two main pillars:
Real estate development and investment.
Energy and infrastructure development and investment
Our clients include leading developers, financiers and government procuring authorities. The team is ranked Tier 1 by the Legal 500 and Tier 1 by Chambers & Partners. We are not largely conducting diligence or generally contractor-side, which can be more passive or reactive roles.
We offer a multi-sector, full-service capability, advising on project structuring and delivery, risk analysis and management, tendering and procurement, contract drafting and negotiation, transaction due diligence, contract and, in conjunction with our specialist contentious construction colleagues claims, management and dispute resolution.
Current and recent work highlights include:
Major real estate development projects, including for Global Switch on new data centres in the UK and European markets, British Land on the Canada Water regeneration and Broadgate estate, Stanhope on major projects including tall-tower schemes and other significant City redevelopments and Hines on all of its portfolio including a major phased tall-tower scheme in the City. Other repeat and important clients include blue-chip clients such as Aberdeen, Blackstone, Blackrock, Hermes Real Estate and Logicor
Major projects vital to decarbonisation including UK and European power-to-x and waste-to-x projects Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (including CCS/CCUS, SAF and green hydrogen), CCS for Breedon, and gigafactory battery production facilities for Agratas (Tata Group) in the UK
Power generation, storage and transmission including PV and BESS for OX2 in European markets, energy from waste and biomass power for Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, conventional power for Uniper in the UK and the UK-to-Iceland Atlantic Superconnection for ASC
Transport and other major infrastructure projects including the major redevelopment of the Euston campus for the Department for Transport and its Euston Delivery Company; two new UK reservoir projects for Anglian Water and port infrastructure facilities for ArcelorMittal in Liberia
Upstream, midstream and downstream projects including for IGI Poseidon on the development of European midstream gas pipeline projects
The team currently consists of 2 Partners, 1 Consultant, 12 Associates, 1 PSL and 2 Trainees
Primary objectives
Deliver excellent client service and make an effective contribution to the firm’s work
Lead on client matters, taking responsibility for the delivery and quality of legal work, team management and the client relationship in consultation with the matter partner(s),as appropriate
Act as a role model and contribute to the development of others
Identify and develop external and internal clients to bring in new or repeat business in chosen area of law and industry sector(s)
Take steps to cultivate an excellent reputation in the market and internally and contribute to know-how and non-legal firm initiatives and projects
Key responsibilities
Lead, delegate, and manage work - lead on client matters, including negotiation and the preparation of proposals, estimates and pitches; delegate work to juniors, supervising the team to support optimal utilisation; keep partner(s) informed and assist partners to monitor and control progress against agreed objectives, scope, timelines and budgets.
Manage client relationships – regularly engage with client and keep informed of progress; ensure all compliance and risk management processes are followed; propose fees and manage client expectations as to cost, quality and time; and seek opportunities for new work with existing and new clients.
Support the firm and others - extend effective relationships across the global network; contribute to the development of team members; uphold the firm’s values; contribute to the firm’s initiatives; take steps to cultivate an excellent reputation and profile in the market and internally; attend marketing/industry events and draft or help prepare articles, precedents and know-how materials; lead the development and delivery of training and presentations.
Comply with risk requirements - including firm policies and all relevant professional responsibilities and legislation and contribute to billing, engagement and client acceptance processes.
Qualifications, skills and experience
Excellent academics
Operating as an experienced senior level Associate with post qualification experience in private practice
Non-contentious construction experience – with experience of NEC and JCT, FIDIC, IChemE or LOGIC forms of contract
Ability to manage numerous matters concurrently and work across multiple sectors
Full understanding of law firm profitability and key drivers for financial efficiency; and ability to manage costs and budgets.
There would be opportunity for international travel if desirable (but this is not a pre-requisite for the role)
Competencies
Personal leadership
Takes initiative, embraces challenge and brings energy and drive to their work
Technical capability
Seeks opportunities to grow and develop to deliver value for our clients
Collaborates with others
Works as a team player, learns from and supports others
Plans and delivers outcomes
Operates as an effective legal project manager
Enhances the client experience
Builds relationships and innovates for the firm’s future
Contributes to building the firm
Builds relationships and innovates for the firm’s future
Team
Real EstateWorking Pattern
Location
LondonContract type
Permanent ContractDiversity & Inclusion
We are committed to attracting people from all backgrounds and creating a respectful and inclusive culture where everyone thrives. We see this as essential to our success, including our ability to innovate and achieve sustained high performance. This is a key part of our Values - Human, Bold, and Outstanding.
