Job Description
Planning & Environmental Lawyer
PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
• A unique opportunity for an experienced, Planning and Infrastructure Consenting Lawyer to support AG Ireland in developing a focused planning and infrastructure consenting practice with the support of the wider international team and the Dublin Real Estate Practice.
• From the outset this role will give you a high level of client contact and the chance to play a critical role in growing the practice through cultivating close relationships with both new and existing clients.
THE TEAM
• Addleshaw Goddard's Planning and Infrastructure Consenting Team has lawyers split across our Dublin, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, London and Manchester offices.
• The wider practice has a strong reputation across core areas including:
o Real estate acting for developers, investors, funders and public sector bodies on a wide variety of schemes including, housing (with a particular focus on build to rent, student accommodation, co-living, and social and affordable housing and strategic land), office schemes, logistics and retail.
o Transport with a particular focus on rail, light rail, ports, and airports.
o Energy with a particular focus on networks, solar and battery storage. Our work includes advising on the promotion of, and objections to, planning applications and compulsory purchase orders. Our clients include National Grid, SGN and a number of solar farm and battery storage developers.
o Corporate transactions advising on planning and environmental due diligence for share and asset purchase transactions.
• The Team is collegiate and down to earth, but also highly ambitious and hardworking. Its approach to service delivery is commercial and innovative with an uncompromising focus on quality.
• We are fully supported by the wider Addleshaw Goddard Group in our objective of expanding and growing this practice area. Being part of a market-leading team gives rise to significant opportunities across multiple jurisdictions. This is a real opportunity to join a Planning & Infrastructure Consenting practice that envisages itself being well positioned to competitively challenge and exceed the offerings of the top tier law firms in Ireland in a 3–5-year period.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN THIS ROLE
• We are looking for an established, talented Planning and Infrastructure Consenting Legal Director to join the team working from the Dublin office.
• While our various Planning & Consenting practices work closely together, the ideal candidate will be able to work independently on matters as well as provide oversight and support to more junior members in the team.
Although there will be a range of responsibilities you can expect to be involved in the following:
o advising clients on the regulatory consents required for infrastructure projects and the sequencing of these
o advising on the consenting process under the different regulatory regimes in Ireland, including for example under the Gas Acts, Maritime Area Consent legislation and the Roads Acts
o review of Environmental Impact Assessment Reports and Natura Impact Statements for projects and advice to clients on statutory compliance
o planning and environmental due diligence to include review of data rooms and preparation of reports and risk analysis to assist the Corporate Group on M&A projects
o analysis of planning permissions and of Opinions and Certificates of Compliance with Planning and liaison with RE colleagues on these
o advising on judicial review process and on prosecuting or defending judicial review proceedings
o advice on and defending planning and environmental prosecutions and on director liability
o general planning and environmental law advices including on planning exemptions, general compliance and interpretation of planning legislation and on relevant case law
• You will be willing to expand your knowledge base, not just as the market naturally evolves, but also to keep pace with client demand in new areas and sectors.
• You will be highly motivated, proactive, and enthusiastic with a strong supportive team ethic.
• You will take the time to fully appreciate clients' needs and priorities ensuring your advice is meaningful, tailored, commercial and delivered with a solutions-orientated and enabling mindset
YOUR AREAS OF KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE
The successful candidate will have:
• Excellent academic achievement
• At least 5 - 7 years Planning/Infrastructure Consenting experience gained within a comparable environment and at an appropriate level
• A clear understanding and working experience of the operation and structure of a leading law firm and the needs of the clients of a topflight team
Background:
• You will be able to demonstrate an indepth understanding of the technical legislation, regulatory requirements, and expectations applicable to planning and consenting matters.
• Most importantly, you should have a genuine interest in Planning and Infrastructure Consenting law and be keen to develop your knowledge and experience.
• You will have experience in supervising junior members of a team and will be able to take responsibility for and drive forward your own work matters.
• You will be someone who welcomes new challenges and actively looks for the opportunity to develop and grow the business.
• You should be adept at in building strong client relationships, but also enjoy working in a collaborative team environment.
OUR FIRM
Addleshaw Goddard is a place where you are valued, encouraged, and challenged to fulfil your potential in a supportive and collegiate environment. Our culture of improvement, growth and collaboration delivers results, drives innovation, and rewards ambition.
We not only provide technical excellence and experience but, crucially, demonstrate real insight into our clients and what really matters to them and as such we are a natural choice for FTSE100 clients and their equivalents in other markets.
Our success has been built by people from the widest range of backgrounds, locations, and perspectives. We have a number of employee networks that provide space to discuss the differences that make us who we are and celebrate this at AG.
OUR APPROACH: IMAGINE THE BEST YOU CAN BE
Everything we've accomplished can be traced back to our people and the way we work. Our reputation is something we are proud of, and constantly invest in.
Here, you'll do high calibre work, with high-character colleagues who care for one another and our clients.
Are you up for the challenge?
Meet the recruiter
Zubair Zahid
Email Zubair Zahid: zubair.zahid@addleshawgoddard.com
Speak with Zubair Zahid:
- Salary:Competitive
- Location:Dublin
- Vacancy Type:Qualified Lawyers
- Business Area:Real Estate
- Contract Type:Permanent
- Full time/Part time:Full Time