Associate/Senior Associate - Legal Planning

Associate/Senior Associate - Legal Planning

Department: Shakespeare Martineau - Commercial Property & Development - Legal Planning - Legal Planning - 1045

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Birmingham

Reporting To: Paul Wakefield

Description

We are seeking an experienced Associate or Senior Associate to join our nationally recognised Legal Planning Team. This is a key opportunity to join a growing, high‑performing national practice working on some of the most significant and complex planning matters in the sector.

Our team has expanded substantially in recent years, in response to increasing demand and the scale and complexity of our work. We advise a diverse mix of public and private‑sector clients and support them across the full spectrum of planning and development matters - including major residential schemes, strategic development sites, infrastructure projects, development consent orders, compulsory purchase and judicial review.

The team holds long‑standing rankings in both Chambers and Legal 500, with multiple individually recognised practitioners. As we continue to grow, we are looking for a talented planning specialist who wants to contribute to the development of a leading national offering.

What you will be doing:

• Lead on complex planning, development and infrastructure matters.
• Draft, negotiate and oversee Section 106 agreements and associated obligations for major development schemes.
• Advise developers, landowners, housebuilders, local authorities and national organisations on sensitive and high‑value planning matters.
• Manage contentious work, including enforcement matters, appeals and judicial review proceedings.
• Work closely with our wider multidisciplinary consultancy - including planning, heritage and architecture specialists - to deliver a seamless and integrated service.
• Supervise, mentor and support junior colleagues as the team continues to expand.
• Play an active role in business development, strengthening existing relationships and helping to develop new opportunities.

What you will need:

• Extensive experience in planning law, gained in a reputable public, private or mixed‑practice environment.
• Experience leading or advising on planning strategy for major residential, mixed‑use or infrastructure developments.
• A strong track record of drafting and negotiating complex Section 106 agreements, advising on compulsory purchase matters and guiding clients through major planning processes.
• Excellent technical and drafting skills, with a commercial, solutions‑focused approach.
• Experience handling contentious matters such as appeals, inquiries, enforcement issues or judicial review.
• A proactive, collaborative approach to client management, team development and practice growth.
• A desire to contribute to the continued evolution of a highly regarded and expanding planning team.

Why join us?

• You’ll be part of a supportive and ambitious team with a strong national reputation, a diverse client base and a clear growth trajectory. This is an opportunity to take meaningful responsibility, contribute to shaping the direction of the group and work on some of the most high‑profile planning and development projects in the market.

Benefits, Agile Working and Additional information

We embrace agile working and offer a blended approach to where and how we work.

We appreciate that people have different needs and preferences and we’re keen to be flexible, after all, we value what you do, not where you do it.

We have the following hubs across the UK: Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Leeds, Leicester, Lincoln, London, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Nottingham, Sheffield, Stratford upon Avon & Tunbridge Wells.

Want to find out more about our amazing benefits?

Additional information

Please be aware, for some vacancies, where we receive high numbers of applications we may need to bring the close date forward.

Due to the nature of the work undertaken, confirmation of employment will be subject to a variety of checks which will be carried out once an offer of employment is accepted. Details of the checks can be found here.

Equal opportunities

Shakespeare Martineau is a committed equal opportunities employer. We seek to attract, develop and retain talented people from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures. We value and respect individuality and encourage a culture within our business where people can be themselves and be valued for their strengths and experiences. Everyone who either applies to or works for the firm is treated equally, regardless of their gender, age, ethnic origin, nationality, marital status, sexual orientation or religious beliefs.

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