Associate

Location/s
Abu Dhabi
Experience Level
Intermediate
Term
Permanent
Working Hours
Full Time
Practice Area / Department
International Construction
Trowers & Hamlins is a City-led, international and national law firm with over
‎160 partners and ‎950 staff. With offices across the UK, Middle East and Asia,
we provide a full-service integrated offering.
Our clients operate in diverse industry sectors such as construction,
transport and infrastructure, banking and financial services, distribution and
logistics, education and health, hotels and leisure, defence, engineering and
surveying, charities, retail and energy and natural resources. We also act for
many high net worth individuals.
We are different and we believe it is our people that make us unique. We
expect and respect that you and your talents are too. The truth is we don't
prescribe who you are or how you ought to be. It's what you can do that
interests us most.
While the work on offer is rewarding and often complex, the qualities we look
for are simple. The ability to get on with people from all walks of life, for
example. To talk and to listen. To develop the sorts of relationships that
mean you win the friendship and loyalty of clients and colleagues alike. In
short, to connect. These are the characteristics our people all have in
common. They are vital, as is the drive and imagination to use your unique
talents to the full. We will help you in this. In fact, we will support you in
every way we can.
Job Advert Description
The opportunity
We have a diverse International Construction team with an excellent reputation
for legal expertise in large and often ground-breaking construction and
infrastructure projects. We act for a range of clients, including
multinational corporations, regional and local businesses based in the UAE,
Middle East and globally. In Abu Dhabi, we particularly focus on large
infrastructure projects in the oil and gas / petrochemical sector, but the
team regularly advises on projects across the GCC in other sectors, often in
support of our real estate, energy and infrastructure teams.
Day to day scope will include but not limited to advising on, drafting,
reviewing, and negotiating a broad range of construction / EPC contracts and
ancillary documentation, including security documentation, operations and
maintenance contracts and other related agreements. You will be part of a
strong team and you will have the benefit of supervision and training by
experienced lawyers.
What you'll be doing
* Drafting, advising upon, negotiating and preparing construction contract documentation including: building contracts (in particularly FIDIC standard forms); consultancy agreements; and forms of ancillary security.
* You will handle a significant amount of contractual work, reviewing and drafting such documents as FEED, EPC, EPCM, design, construction and O&M / LTSA agreements.
* You will actively participate in meetings with clients and assist client's legal and project teams in their negotiation meetings.
* Drafting and negotiating forms of performance security such as parent guarantees and performance bonds.
* Providing contract advisory services and advising on risk identification and mitigation and contract interpretation of live projects across the Gulf.
* Supporting clients with preparation of contract documentation and advising on potential claims, particularly variations, extensions of time and associated loss and expense and defects
* Researching and publishing articles
* Pro-active participation in business development initiatives.
* Participating in firm-wide and departmental training sessions.
* You will have opportunities to undertake client secondments.

What you'll need
The firm has a Career Development Framework which sets out the competencies we
expect of those at the Associate grade. In particular for this role, the ideal
candidate will have:

• A common law qualified non-contentious construction / projects lawyer with ‎2-‎5 post qualification experience.


• Experience of EPC and O&M contacts gained working on infrastructure, construction or energy projects, and would be familiar with the FIDIC forms of contract.


• A genuine interest in the construction and engineering sector. Understanding of construction and engineering projects and the laws relating to them.


• International experience (especially GCC experience) is a plus.


• Commitment to exceeding client expectations


• Drive and enthusiasm


• Can do, hardworking and flexible approach


• Commercial awareness


• Interacts well with people at all levels


• Fluency in English. Arabic language is an advantage but not a requirement.


• Excellent academic record
  As part of our firm recruitment policy our candidates are subject to
  employment screening background checks. These checks include personal details,
  education and employment history, professional qualifications and credit and
  criminal checks as appropriate.
  Trowers & Hamlins is an equal opportunities employer and values diversity and
  inclusion. All applications will be considered on merit and the applicant's
  suitability to meet the requirements of the role and will be treated equally
  irrespective of Ethnicity, Gender (including Trans and non-binary) Race,
  Disability, Religion and sexual orientation.