Non-Contentious Construction Lawyer

Who we areWe are one of the largest international law firms in the world. With over 30 offices across the globe, we strive to exceed the expectations of our clients, providing them with the highest-quality advice and legal insight, which combines the firm’s global standards with in-depth local expertise.Our firm, work and people span jurisdictions, cultures, and languages. We offer our clients a truly international perspective. We believe every career should be rewarding and stimulating - full of opportunities to learn, thrive, and grow. That’s why we’re so proud of our inclusive, friendly, and team-based approach to work.You’ll find our clients in commercial and industrial sectors, the financial investor community, governments, regulators, trade bodies, and not-for-profit organisations. But no matter who they are or why they’ve reached out to us, we provide a world-class service every step of the way. And that’s possible thanks to the entrepreneurial spirit and conscientious approach to work that you’ll find across all of our teams.Whichever area of the business you join, you’ll become an integral part an innovative, diverse and ambitious team of people. Clifford Chance is a place where the brightest minds and the best of colleagues meetJob DescriptionThe RoleClifford Chance's Middle East Construction Group is unique in operating at the top tier of all construction industry sectors across the MENA region. Our approach is to be innovative and commercial, providing a complete and market-leading service to clients to bring their most significant projects to fruition.The Group's four main areas of work comprisesEnergy and UtilitiesWe work across the energy spectrum. We have a market leading position on major renewable and energy transition projects, including green hydrogen, nuclear, wind, CSP+storage, solar and CCS projects as well as on major thermal utilities, water/wastewater and projects across the oil and gas value chain. Recent examples include advising on the largest wind IPPs in Egypt, recent solar PV IPPs in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, a USD 6bn major petrochemicals expansion complex in Abu Dhabi, a cogeneration and desalination plant in KSA and LNG liquefaction and regas projects.Real Estate & New CommunitiesFrom development of whole new cities to urban regeneration; from sports stadia to luxury hotels and other iconic single assets; and dynamic new asset classes such as data centres, film studios and major railway infrastructure-adjacent developments.Social and Transport InfrastructureWe are proud to be associated with some of the world's most iconic and vital transport, utilities, defence and social infrastructure projects. We are currently working on light rail projects, new hospitals, greenfield and brownfield airport projects and major new bridges and tunnel projects across the Middle East, Europe, Africa and Latin America.Key AttractionsThe only leading law firm to maintain a highly specialist construction team of such size and dedicated cross-sector focus.The future of the practice: the quality of our instructions and the continuing success of the Construction Group make it one of the leading places to be doing this kind of work.A wide variety of instructions from a variety of clients, including the very biggest and complex deals. We work with some of the firm's strategic clients on projects which will touch and change all of our lives – often involving pathfinding technology.Regular training sessions, alternating between detailed, single issue reviews and broader industry topics – an intensive regime of training and skills development keeps us at the top of our game as Construction lawyers.Knowledge sharing – members of the Group regularly contribute to blogs and pitches as well as delivering workshops to clients and contacts.A highly competitive base salary, with potential for a substantial bonus under the Clifford Chance bonus scheme.Great prospects for long-term career development.Who you will work withThe prominence of our Construction Group makes this an unrivalled opportunity for high calibre candidates who wish to work on the biggest and most iconic projects in the Middle East to develop their careers in a fast-moving sector. We aim to be market leaders in the sectors in which we operate to provide a best-in-class service to our clients, and look for lawyers who share this ambition.As part of the group, you will work closely with the firm's top-ranked Energy & Infrastructure, Corporate, Real Estate, and International Arbitration Groups, often in other offices in the network. Our clients are primarily project sponsors, state-owned enterprises and developers, but we also advise lenders, investors and contractorsThe UAE Construction team is fully integrated with the International Construction Group, and regularly works with Construction team across our global network (with a particularly close relationship with our Construction team members in Riyadh and London). The group is non-hierarchical and highly focused on development of its team members. Junior Lawyers will find themselves working directly with Partners as well as senior associates and also handling certain matters themselves.What you will be responsible forAs a Lawyer at Clifford Chance your remit will be to apply your full knowledge of the law within your specialist area by identifying legal issues, drafting and advising clients. We have an extensive education programme, but you will also be expected to be proactive in ensuring that your technical expertise is up to date. You will collaborate in knowledge initiatives for the Firm.Lawyers working in our Construction Group act for sponsors/developers, funders, contractors and other project participants and you can expect to be involved in the drafting, negotiation and analysis of construction, operation/FM and ancillary documentation.There is a clear transactional bias to the Group's work and our Lawyers are required to involve themselves in the management and organisation of teams of clients, Lawyers and professional advisers. You will utilise client focus initiatives to understand and drive service levels to meet client needs.Managing matters with a disciplined practice is key, including adhering to matter opening and conflicts clearance processes.We have a wide range of tools and support services available and you will be expected to utilise Best Delivery tools: e.g. templates, Legal Support Centre, Resource Management, Legal Project Managers and Matter Balance Reports.We encourage all Lawyers to take charge of their own development and you will be expected to complete any mandatory and relevant skills, risk and legal training.QualificationsYour experienceMinimum criteria / essential requirementsYou will be a qualified lawyer.You will have gained experience at a similar firm, or at an overseas similar common law practice.You will have gained junior to mid-level non-contentious construction experience as a practising lawyer working on large international or complex construction projects.Skills and knowledgeYou will be able to demonstrate excellent document drafting skills and attention to detail.Strong communication and analytical skills, along with a high level of commercial and cultural awareness.Good exposure to collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams and other jurisdictions.To have an appetite for developing client relationships, developing more junior talent and thought leadership.How we will support youFrom your first day with us, you will have varied opportunities to continuously grow and development your skills and knowledge. From formal training, informal coaching and mentoring through to skills-based and technical training and on the job learning.As well as recruiting the best people, we insist on the professional development of all our employees. Our Lawyers work continuously to develop both legal and personal skills through the training programmes offered by the 'in-house' law education system, the Clifford Chance Academy.Additional InformationEqual opportunities statementAt Clifford Chance, we understand that our true asset is our people. Inclusion is good for our team and their families, our firm and society.We are committed to treating all employees and applicants fairly and equally regardless of their gender, gender identity and expression, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour, national or ethnic origin, social or economic background, disability, religious belief, sexual orientation, or age. This applies to recruitment and selection, terms and conditions of employment including pay, promotion, training, transfer and every other aspect of employment.We have a variety of flourishing employee networks. These networks are a place for colleagues to share experiences and advocate for change wherever they see an opportunity for improvement.Our goal is to deliver an equality of opportunity, an equality of aspiration and an equality of experience to everyone who works in our firm.Find out more about our inclusive culture here