New Job Opening: Construction Partner / Legal Director in Reading, UK

Job Description

Construction Partner / Legal Director

Location: Reading Area

Salary: c.£110,000 – £140,000 + Equity/Partner Profit Share & C-Suite Backing

Are you an accomplished Construction Partner or Senior Director with an established client following, seeking the strategic authority, autonomy, and firm backing to establish and lead a flagship Construction & Engineering practice across Reading and the Thames Valley? Our client is a dynamic, commercially minded national law firm expanding its South East footprint and known for doing law differently—putting authentic client relationships and cross-departmental collaboration at the heart of its business. Expanding its commercial practice across the region's thriving real estate and infrastructure sectors, they are seeking an entrepreneurial Construction Partner (8+ PQE) with a portable client base to establish and lead a standalone offering serving developers, main contractors, sub-contractors, consultants, and employers nationwide.

The Opportunity

In this high-profile equity-track position, you will leverage your existing client connections and take lead operational responsibility for establishing and scaling the firm's Reading-based Construction practice. Supported directly by C-Suite leadership, senior partners, and a dedicated marketing engine, you will deliver comprehensive contentious and non-contentious construction advice. Designed for a commercially sharp practitioner with a proven track record of fee generation who wants to build a practice within a firm genuinely committed to your growth, this role offers direct strategic influence, a lucrative profit distribution model, and full cross-referral backing across real estate, corporate, and commercial practice groups.

Key Responsibilities & Requirements

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  Qualifications & Experience: Qualified Solicitor (England & Wales) with a minimum of 8+ years’ post-qualification experience (PQE) specialising in Construction and Engineering law within a recognised UK practice.

  
  


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  Portable Client Following: Demonstrable track record of fee generation and an established, portable client following (developers, main contractors, specialist sub-contractors, funds, or consultants) to anchor and scale the practice (essential).

  
  


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  Non-Contentious Expertise: Proven track record drafting and negotiating standard-form suites (including JCT, NEC, FIDIC), bespoke construction contracts, professional appointments, collateral warranties, step-in rights, and performance bonds.

  
  


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  Contentious & Dispute Resolution: Strong capability in managing construction disputes, including statutory adjudication, mediation, international and domestic arbitration, and High Court (TCC) litigation.

  
  


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  Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Strategic capability to advise Reading and Thames Valley real estate and finance teams on development agreements, funding packages, forward-funding structures, and plot transactions.

  
  

Package & Working Structure

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  Competitive Remuneration: £110,000 – £140,000 base compensation per annum (commensurate with PQE, Thames Valley market standing, and portable following) plus attractive Partner profit share / equity distribution options.

  
  


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  Agile & Hybrid Structure: Modern hybrid working policy based out of Reading—built on trust, allowing you to choose the environment where you work best.

  
  


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  Comprehensive Healthcare & Benefits: Private Medical Insurance (Vitality), Cash Plan (Medicash), salary sacrifice pension scheme (NEST), and an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) extended to family members.

  
  


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  Leave & Flexibility: 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, your birthday off (increasing with service), and enhanced wellbeing and family-friendly policies.

  
  


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  Culture & Perks: Direct C-Suite and Senior Partner access from day one, regular CSR events, seasonal celebrations, referral bonuses, free fruit/drinks, and regular team lunches.

  
  

How to Apply

To discuss this opportunity in complete confidence or request a full position profile, please contact David Hawthorne-Finch directly:

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  Email: [email protected]

  
  

Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions is acting as an employment agency for this vacancy. All applications and enquiries are treated with the strictest confidence, and candidate details are never shared without prior express consent.