Q1 Overview - Construction roles in London

During the first quarter of 2026, the Construction market remained active with a total of 29 roles advertised across UK international and City/regional law firms. Of these, 16 roles were carried over from Q4 2025 and 13 were newly introduced during Q1.

Hiring was concentrated heavily in non-contentious construction, though there were some mixed contentious/non-contentious roles and there were two PSL roles.  

While a number of positions closed during the quarter, 18 remained open going into Q2.

Below are overviews of roles advertised by firms on their career pages:

Ashurst

Ashurst launched an Associate/Senior Associate, Construction role in January, which closed in March. The role focused on high-profile non-contentious construction work within the firm’s London practice, covering major infrastructure, transport and real estate projects. The firm sought a technically strong construction lawyer with experience of JCT, and ideally NEC, together with strong drafting and negotiation skills, commercial awareness and the ability to work across large-scale projects in a global environment.

Beale & Co

Beale & Co continued to advertise a Contracts and Projects Construction Senior Associate role, first launched in H1 2025, which remained open going into Q2. The position is aimed at a senior construction lawyer with strong experience in contracts, procurement and transactional work, including engineering and construction documentation, joint ventures and PPP documentation. The role reflects the firm’s ongoing demand for senior-level non-contentious construction capability.

Blake Morgan

Blake Morgan carried over a Construction Lawyer role (4–8 PQE) from H1 2025, which closed in March. This was a mixed construction role spanning contentious and non-contentious work, with a particular focus on JCT and NEC contracts and projects in areas such as infrastructure, rail and green energy. The firm sought a lawyer with strong technical skills and project experience within a national team platform.

Browne Jacobson

Browne Jacobson continued to advertise a Senior Associate – Non-Contentious Construction role, first launched in Q3 2025, which remained open going into Q2. The role involved advising employers, contractors, developers and suppliers on a broad range of building, engineering and infrastructure projects. The firm sought a commercially aware lawyer able to deliver practical, business-focused advice, contribute to business growth and potentially progress within an expanding national team.

Capsticks

Capsticks launched an Associate – Non-Contentious Construction role in February, which closed in March. The role focused on complex transactional construction and engineering work across public and private sector projects, particularly in health, local government, housing and emergency services, including major PFI and infrastructure mandates. The firm sought a senior construction transactional lawyer able to run a caseload, draft and negotiate key construction documents and play an active part in business development.

Clifford Chance

Clifford Chance launched a Junior-Mid Construction Associate role in January, which closed in February. The role sat within the firm’s top-tier Construction Group and focused on non-contentious construction work for major international projects across energy, infrastructure, real estate and industrial sectors. The firm sought a qualified lawyer with experience on complex projects, strong drafting and analytical skills, and the ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary and international teams.

Clyde & Co

Clyde & Co launched an Associate - Projects & Construction (FTC) role in February, which remained open going into Q2. This 12-month fixed-term role focused on transactional construction work for major infrastructure, energy and development projects, including drafting and negotiating JCT, NEC and FIDIC/EPC contracts, advising on procurement and risk allocation, and supporting related financings and corporate transactions. The firm sought a senior lawyer with strong technical capability and a commercially focused approach.

DAC Beachcroft

DAC Beachcroft entered the market in March with an Associate -Construction role (2-5 PQE), which remained open going into Q2. The role is for a non-contentious construction lawyer supporting commercial and residential development projects, with responsibility for drafting and negotiating construction and engineering documents, running matters, attending client meetings and supporting business development. The firm sought a technically sound and client-facing lawyer able to manage work under pressure.

Decimus Fearon

Decimus Fearon continued to advertise a Junior Construction Lawyer role (NQ–2 PQE), first launched in H1 2024, and it remained open going into Q2. The role involves drafting construction documents, advising on contract interpretation, handling mediations and disputes, and supervising junior staff. The firm sought candidates with strong communication and analytical skills for what appears to be a broad early-career construction position.

Devonshires

Devonshires was active across two senior non-contentious construction roles during the quarter. A Senior Associate – Construction (Non-contentious) role (4+ PQE), first advertised in Q3 2025, closed in March and focused on procurement, building safety and major development projects, including drafting and negotiating JCT, NEC and FIDIC contracts. In March, the firm launched a further Senior Associate (Non-Contentious) role (5+ PQE), which remained open at the end of the quarter. That role similarly targeted an experienced transactional construction lawyer able to run complex files independently, advise on procurement structures and deliver commercially astute advice, with JCT experience essential and broader development or funding experience advantageous.

Farrer & Co

Farrer & Co carried over an Associate – Construction role (2–6 PQE) from Q4 2025, which closed in January. This non-contentious role supported the firm’s commercial property practice and involved advising on building contracts, professional appointments and security documentation, as well as supporting property and banking teams on development and finance transactions. The firm sought a technically strong and commercially aware lawyer with strong organisational skills and an interest in business development.

Fieldfisher

Fieldfisher carried over a Professional Support Lawyer (Real Estate Construction) role from Q3 2025, which remained open going into Q2, but closed in the first half of April. The role focused on leading knowledge management, training, innovation and strategic legal initiatives within the Real Estate Construction group. The firm sought an experienced construction lawyer with strong knowledge and innovation skills, including interest in AI, document automation and client-facing thought leadership.

Forsters

Forsters carried over an Associate/Senior Associate, Non-Contentious Construction role (ideally 2–6 PQE) from Q4 2025, which remained open going into Q2. The role focused exclusively on non-contentious construction matters, including contracts, development projects and related commercial arrangements. The firm sought candidates from strong real estate or construction backgrounds with excellent technical and drafting ability and commercial awareness, offering the opportunity to join a highly regarded London construction team.

Freeths

Freeths remained active with two long-running construction mandates, both of which stayed open going into Q2. The first, a Clean Energy Construction Senior Associate/Managing Associate role (4–7 PQE), first advertised before 2025, focused on clean energy projects including BESS agreements, EPC contracts, regulatory compliance and renewable energy project development. The second, a Non-Contentious Construction Senior Associate or Managing Associate role (5+ PQE), first advertised in H1 2025, centred on wider construction and projects work with a strong clean energy element, including drafting and leading transactions involving BESS, solar and other renewable energy contracts. 

Gowling WLG

Gowling WLG launched a Principal Associate – Non-Contentious Construction role (6+ PQE) in February, which remained open going into Q2. The role involved advising developers, contractors, investors, occupiers and public sector clients on major construction, engineering and infrastructure projects, including development and funding documentation and major contract forms such as JCT, NEC, MF/1 and FIDIC. The firm sought a pragmatic and commercially minded senior lawyer able to run major matters and supervise junior colleagues within a large and established practice.

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer

Herbert Smith Freehills launched a Senior Associate, Non-Contentious Construction role in February, which remained open going into Q2. The role sits within the firm’s Tier 1 non-contentious construction team and covers major real estate, energy and infrastructure projects, including project structuring, procurement, drafting and negotiating NEC, JCT and ideally FIDIC or related forms, as well as due diligence and risk management. The firm sought an experienced senior construction lawyer with strong project leadership, client relationship and business development capability.

Horwich Farrelly

Horwich Farrelly entered the market in January with a Director of Construction & Procurement Law role (10+ PQE), which remained open going into Q2. This leadership role involved heading the firm’s Construction & Procurement team, advising on contentious and non-contentious matters, leading complex disputes, driving business development and contributing strategically at firm level. The firm sought a senior leader with strong construction and procurement expertise, litigation credentials and commercial acumen.

Macfarlanes

Macfarlanes carried over a Construction Knowledge Lawyer role from Q3 2025, which closed in January. This part-time role supported the firm’s Construction and Engineering group through training, legal updates and precedent development. The firm sought a lawyer with non-contentious construction experience and a strong academic record, suitable either for a move into knowledge or for an experienced knowledge lawyer continuing in that track.

Mishcon de Reya

Mishcon de Reya launched an Associate – Real Estate Non-Contentious Construction role (2–5 PQE) in January, which remained open going into Q2. The role involved drafting and negotiating a broad range of construction documentation and advising on the construction elements of real estate, finance and corporate transactions, including due diligence and reporting. The firm sought a lawyer with a solid grounding in non-contentious construction, familiarity with procurement routes and JCT/NEC, and the ability to manage a busy workload in a fast-growing team.

Penningtons Manches Cooper

Penningtons Manches Cooper carried over a Senior Associate – Projects, Development and Construction role (6+ PQE) from Q4 2025, which remained open going into Q2. The role focused on non-contentious construction work across development, regeneration, accommodation, energy and infrastructure projects, including drafting and negotiating standard form and bespoke contracts. The firm sought an experienced senior lawyer with strong technical knowledge, client management skills and the ability to supervise juniors and support the continued growth of the practice.

RWK Goodman

RWK Goodman launched an Associate – Construction role (2–6 PQE) in February, which remained open going into Q2. The role provides non-contentious construction support on development, infrastructure and energy projects across the UK, including advising on risk and timescales, project deliverables and due diligence for related transactions. The firm sought a lawyer with experience in non-contentious construction law, familiarity with JCT and NEC and a willingness to build a profile through networking, writing and seminars.

Sharpe Pritchard

Sharpe Pritchard carried over a Junior Associate/Associate – Construction Team role (NQ–4 PQE) from Q4 2025, which closed in January. The role covered both contentious and non-contentious construction law, primarily in the public and infrastructure sectors, with responsibility for case management and supporting senior lawyers. The firm sought a qualified solicitor with strong drafting, negotiation and organisational skills, and public sector experience was desirable.

Shoosmiths

Shoosmiths continued to advertise a Construction Non-Contentious Senior / Principal Associate role (6+ PQE), first launched in H1 2025, which remained open going into Q2. The role involved handling non-contentious construction matters across infrastructure projects, finance and plant contracts, with particular emphasis on standard form contracts such as JCT and NEC. The firm sought a senior lawyer who could also mentor junior team members within a growing practice.

Simmons & Simmons

Simmons & Simmons launched a Supervising Associate - Construction role (4-6 PQE) in February, which closed within the same month. The role focused on non-contentious construction support for major UK and international developments, including regeneration, mixed-use and digital infrastructure projects. The firm sought a proactive and technically strong lawyer able to negotiate construction contracts and appointments, advise on due diligence and building safety, manage matters confidently and support junior lawyers and business development.

Squire Patton Boggs

Squire Patton Boggs carried over a Construction Lawyer role (4+ PQE) from Q4 2025, which closed in February. The role was open to lawyers with contentious, non-contentious or mixed experience and covered major infrastructure, engineering, energy, manufacturing and built environment work. The firm sought a commercially minded and proactive construction lawyer able to advise on procurement and delivery issues, draft both standard form and bespoke contracts, and support disputes work where needed.

Stone King

Stone King carried over a Senior Associate Solicitor - Construction role from Q3 2025, which remained open going into Q2. This role focused on non-contentious construction work, particularly for the firm’s nationally recognised Education team as well as clients in the Charity and Business sectors. The firm sought an experienced lawyer with supervisory capability, sector knowledge and an interest in business development, with professional memberships or ADR qualifications viewed favourably.

Withers Worldwide

Withers launched a Construction Associate (Non-Contentious) role (3–5 PQE) in February, which closed in March. The role focused on advising on development projects for UHNW clients, property companies, charities and luxury brands, including drafting bespoke construction contracts, advising on procurement and supporting real estate and finance transactions. The firm sought a technically strong and commercially minded lawyer with excellent drafting and negotiation skills and the ability to build relationships across cross-border, multidisciplinary teams.