PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

Building on the continued success of AG Ireland, our highly regarded team is seeking a motivated Associate to deliver high-quality legal advice and support to our growing client base within the planning and environmental sector.

The team provides a full spectrum of legal services and has established a reputation for delivering first-class legal solutions that meet the diverse needs of our clients.
• This is a rare opportunity to play a key role within a market-leading team, working across a broad mix of planning and environmental matters, including complex advisory work and high-profile contentious disputes, within a supportive and collaborative environment.

THE TEAM
• The Planning and Environmental team is led by partner Stephen Barry, a highly experienced commercial litigator with a strong track record in leading complex advisory matters and high-value disputes in the Commercial Court across a range of sectors.
• The team advises on the full spectrum of contentious and non-contentious planning, environmental and health & safety matters, including regulatory risk, investigations and judicial review proceedings.
• They act for a broad client base across both the public and private sectors, including boards and in-house legal teams, on significant infrastructure, energy and development projects. Its work regularly involves high-profile judicial reviews, complex regulatory challenges, and major disputes arising from large-scale renewable energy and infrastructure developments.
• In delivering work to clients, the team leverages the latest technology in collaboration with the firm's in-house legal technology team. Team members are encouraged to think innovatively and to explore emerging technologies, including developments in generative AI.
• The team values proactive individuals who contribute to the firm's growth. All team members are encouraged to participate in business development activities, including networking, building client relationships, and contributing to marketing and profile-raising initiatives.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN THIS ROLE
• As an Associate, you will play an active role in supporting partners on complex planning and environmental matters.
• You will work on a blend of advisory and contentious work, including judicial review proceedings, regulatory and compliance advice, environmental risk assessments, and Commercial Court litigation.
• You will have genuine responsibility for engaging directly with clients, preparing complex advice, and contributing to high-stakes litigation and dispute resolution.
• You will be expected to work closely with existing clients to maintain and develop relationships, acting as a trusted advisor who provides timely, high-quality guidance while managing expectations.
• The role offers the opportunity to develop increased autonomy and responsibility, while continuing to workclosely with senior team members on high-profile, often precedent-setting matters, within an environment where your success is encouraged and recognised.

YOUR AREAS OF KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE
To be successful in this role, you will:
• Have at least 2+ years post qualification experience in planning & environmental law, ideally across both contentious and non-contentious work
• Be able to manage matters independently with minimal supervision
• Be a confident stakeholder manager, engaging with internal and external clients at all levels
• Draft clear, accurate and commercially effective legal documents
• Work efficiently under pressure and meet deadlines with composure
• Demonstrate strong commercial awareness, resilience and ambition
• Take a consultative, client-focused approach, understanding client drivers and delivering impactful advice
• Be committed to continuous learning and professional development

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 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?