Leading International Firm seeking Planning Associate 2PQE+
Location: Southampton
Sector: Private Practice
A leading international law firm is seeking a Planning Associate (2+ PQE) to join its growing Planning team in Southampton. This is an excellent opportunity for a UK-qualified planning lawyer to join a highly regarded practice advising on significant development, regeneration and infrastructure projects across the UK.
The Team
The Planning team forms part of a nationally recognised Real Estate practice and is a key area of strategic growth for the firm. The group has experienced sustained demand over recent years and continues to invest heavily in its regional offices, particularly across the South West and South Coast.
The team advises a broad range of clients including developers, housebuilders, landowners, investors, local authorities and corporate occupiers, offering a mix of both standalone planning work and planning support on major real estate transactions.
The Opportunity
You will advise on a broad range of planning matters, including:
- Strategic land and development projects
- Planning applications and appeals
- Section 106 agreements and highways agreements
- Compulsory purchase and infrastructure matters
- Judicial reviews and contentious planning issues
- Environmental and regulatory planning considerations
- Planning support on complex real estate and regeneration schemes
This role offers excellent exposure to high-quality work, close partner interaction, and genuine opportunities for progression within a growing practice.
Candidate Requirements
- Qualified Solicitor in England & Wales
- 2+ years' PQE in planning law
- Experience gained within a recognised planning, real estate, or local government practice
- Strong technical and drafting abilities
- Commercial awareness and strong client management skills
- UK-trained and retained lawyer preferred
Why Join?
The firm offers a compelling alternative to many traditional City practices, combining high-quality work with a genuinely flexible and supportive culture.
Key benefits include:
- Consistently strong pipeline of planning work
- Significant investment and growth across regional offices
- Strong partner access and mentoring opportunities
- Dedicated resource management support to ensure fair work allocation and exposure to areas of individual interest
- No mandated office attendance requirements
- Flexible and agile working arrangements
- Excellent work-life balance
- Supportive approach to family commitments and wellbeing
- Alternative working patterns available, including reduced or adjusted hours where appropriate
This is an outstanding opportunity for a planning lawyer looking to take the next step in their career within a collaborative and growing team, while maintaining the flexibility and work-life balance often difficult to find elsewhere in the market.
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