Our Planning team is looking for an experienced and enthusiastic Associate or Senior Associate (3+ PQE) to support our work consenting some of the largest energy & infrastructure and development projects in Scotland and the UK.

About CMS

CMS is a Future Facing firm. With 75 offices in 43 countries and 4,800+ lawyers worldwide, we combine deep sector understanding with a global overview, giving us the ability not only to see what's coming, but to shape it.

CMS is well equipped to help our clients face the future with confidence. We are driven by technology and readily embrace the possibilities it opens up for developing new and better ways of delivering legal services. Our bold approach to a changing future ensures that we nurture our employees and recruit top talent.

About the Role

You will be part of a growing and dynamic team ranked Band 1 in Chambers. You will be exposed to diverse work-types and have a good degree of responsibility, providing an excellent opportunity for development and career progression. 
   
You will take a lead role supporting partners in the Planning practice to deliver major energy & infrastructure and development projects. This will involve development consent orders (DCO), compulsory purchase and compensation matters, planning applications and appeals, s36 consents, marine licences, EIA and HRA, public local inquiries, roads law matters, judicial review, asset protection matters, planning agreements, and some real estate and energy/infrastructure transactions. The role will involve regularly working on major projects and transactions with colleagues across the firm, including in the wider Real Estate and Energy teams. The team acts for some of the largest developers, energy companies, utilities and public sector bodies, and currently enjoys several high-profile DCO and major project mandates.

The team operates on a UK basis, and the opportunity can be tailored to focus on major projects solely in Scotland or a UK-wide mix.

About You

You will:
- be a qualified solicitor 3+ PQE;
- be able to demonstrate an interest in, and enthusiasm for energy & infrastructure consenting and/or development planning;
- have gained good experience in a recognised planning team, with DCO and/or CPO experience beneficial;
- have excellent written and oral communication skills;
- have a strong academic background;
- demonstrate the ambition to succeed and commitment to business development and client relationship management;
- be commercially orientated with a commitment to innovation;
- have the ability to work both independently and as part of a team; and
- be well-organised with strong administration and time management skills and the ability and drive to meet demanding deadlines.

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What’s in it for you?

We want to reward you today and help you plan for tomorrow. We appreciate that everyone is different, therefore we have designed a benefits system that offers choice and flexibility based on individual needs and lifestyles. To name a few, these include:

• Competitive basic salary (reviewed annually)

• Flexible, hybrid working policy

• Generous bonus scheme

• Up to 25 days holiday (rising to 28 days with service)

• Holiday exchange scheme

• Private medical insurance

• Enhanced parental leave

• Reasonable adjustments and accommodation for disabled talent in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.

If you would like to read more information regarding our range of benefits, please visit our Rewards & Benefits page on our website.

Please note that we have a preferred agency panel in place. Only applications submitted via the portal at the point of instruction will be accepted.