Senior Legal Advisor - Disputes

Within this role you will be responsible for contributing to the effective management of legal and contractual risk through the provision of legal advice on claims and disputes arising under engineering consultancy appointments across all of WSP’s engineering disciplines.  The role will cover a broad spectrum of dispute resolution work, from advising on payment disputes, contractual claims and operational issues through to professional negligence claims.

A little more about your role… 

• Provides effective legal and commercial advice on professional indemnity claims through formal and informal dispute resolution processes (including mediation, adjudication, expert determinations, court proceedings and arbitration).
• Supports the business units within WSP UK, through the provision of commercially oriented and solution focussed legal advice on contractual claims and operational issues in order to achieve the best overall outcome for the business.
• Supports the engineering disciplines and finance teams on working capital issues, including providing sound legal advice and strategy on the non-payment of fees. 
• Advises on relevant aspects of applicable laws, including contract and construction law.
• Ensures that corporate governance is maintained in relation to the settlement of disputes.
• Where required, manages external legal advisers in relation to initial instructions, ongoing claims management, costs and strategy.
• Liaises with insurance brokers in the conduct of claims to ensure WSP’s coverage position is safeguarded.
• Updates the business on legal developments and delivers business focussed training from time to time.
• Contributes to the organisation and dissemination of legal ‘know-how’ within the UK Legal team and contributes to the provision of ‘lessons learned’ feed-back to the wider business.
• A team player who works collaboratively with colleagues at all times.
• Expected to familiarise themselves with our health and safety arrangements and guidance relevant to themselves and their activities and shall meet any specific duties for their role as detailed within GNHS020 – Competencies, Roles and Responsibilities. This document is available to all employees through our company intranet and is accessible from your first day with the company 

What we will be looking for you to demonstrate…

The successful candidate will be a solicitor qualified in England & Wales, with relevant PQE and significant experience of advising on construction and engineering claims and disputes and/or professional negligence claims and disputes, within the construction and engineering sphere.  Previous experience of working in-house is desirable, but not essential. 

The successful candidate will have the confidence and aptitude to progress rapidly to independent management of their own workload. The role will involve liaison with senior management, directors and project managers as well as external liaison with solicitors, insurers, experts and other external bodies. 

In addition to the above, the successful candidate must also be able to demonstrate: 

• Educated to degree level or equivalent
• Qualified solicitor or barrister in England and Wales
• Excellent communication skills, written and oral
• A commercial and pragmatic approach to the giving of legal advice and resolution of disputes
• The ability to work without supervision under pressure and meet deadlines
• A proactive approach with the ability to prioritise between competing business demands
• Strong inter-personal and collaborative skills