Associate / Senior Associate – Planning & Environmental – 2–5 Years PQE
Location: Bristol
Type of Role: Permanent, Full-time (with hybrid flexibility)
Salary: £60,000 to £80,000 (DOE)

A respected national law firm is seeking an Associate or Senior Associate with 2–5 years’ PQE to join its specialist Planning & Environmental team. This is an excellent opportunity to work within a dynamic, forward thinking Real Estate practice, advising on high profile development, natural capital, energy, housebuilder and landed estates projects.

The Role
You’ll be responsible for delivering a broad range of planning and environmental work, including:

• Advising on planning and infrastructure agreements, including Section 106 agreements
• Drafting and negotiating Section 106s, conservation covenants and environmental agreements (BNG, nutrient neutrality, landscape recovery)
• Acting on historic building matters
• Interpreting and advising on planning permissions and associated conditions
• Preparing high quality written work, including reports, agreements and client communications
• Supporting senior lawyers on major projects and managing smaller matters independently
• Liaising with local authorities, developers and key stakeholders
• Advising on environmental offences and enforcement matters, including support with PACE interviews
• Preparing and submitting appeals, judicial reviews and statutory challenges, working closely with barristers and internal teams
• This role offers exposure to complex, high value matters and the opportunity to develop specialist expertise within a supportive and collaborative team.

Candidate Requirements
This role is suited to a qualified solicitor with:

• 2–5 years’ PQE in Planning and Environmental law
• Strong technical knowledge and drafting skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities
• Confidence managing multiple matters and deadlines
• Strong commercial awareness and a problem solving mindset
• Ability to build trusted client relationships
• A collaborative, proactive and adaptable approach

Benefits
The firm offers:

• A flexible, agile working environment
• A supportive and collaborative team culture
• Clear career progression pathways
• Access to structured skills development and training
• Opportunities to work across major projects and diverse sectors

How to Apply

If this opportunity sounds of interest or you’d like a confidential conversation about your next career move, please contact:

Email: oliviareed@chadwicknott.co.uk
Phone: 0117 917 1515 / 07711 799761

The firm is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates. Adjustments to the recruitment process can be made to support individual needs.