Consenting Lawyer

Description:

Pinsent Masons, a leading global law firm, is currently seeking a Consenting Lawyer (4-8 years PQE) to join its Planning & Environment, Energy & Infrastructure team. This is an exciting opportunity for experienced lawyers specializing in consenting, planning, and environmental law to work on high-profile projects.

Role Overview

The ideal candidate should have expertise in one or more of the following:

• Planning Act 2008
• Transport and Works Act 1992
• Town and Country Planning Act 1990
• Compulsory acquisition/purchase and compensation matters
• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA)
• Inquiries, examinations, and judicial review processes

The successful candidate will work predominantly with the Energy & Infrastructure consenting team, providing legal expertise on a broad range of national and international projects.

About the Planning & Environment Team

Pinsent Masons has the largest dedicated planning team in the UK, advising on major projects across Energy, Infrastructure, and Real Estate sectors. Within this team, Energy & Infrastructure consenting specialists work on some of the most high-profile national projects.

Key Clients:

• Orsted
• EDF
• BP
• Drax Power
• National Highways
• Transport for London (TfL)
• Heathrow Airport
• Southern Water

Work Highlights:

• Advising Orsted on its Development Consent Orders (DCOs) for Hornsea Offshore Wind Farms Projects 3 & 4.
• Advising on the largest utility-scale solar and battery farm DCO.
• Supporting BP, Drax, and Cory on the UK’s leading carbon capture projects.
• Securing planning permission for Southampton Airport’s runway extension and successfully defending the case in the High Court.
• Advising National Highways on the £1.9bn A303 Amesbury to Berwick Down (Stonehenge Tunnel) DCO application.

Candidate Requirements

The ideal candidate should:
✔ Have 4-8 years’ PQE in a leading regional or national law firm.
✔ Possess strong technical expertise in planning, environmental law, or infrastructure-related legal matters.
✔ Demonstrate commercial awareness and a track record in business development.
✔ Be an enthusiastic team player with an outgoing personality.
✔ Exhibit excellent client management skills and be committed to delivering high-quality legal services.

What We Offer

✔ Market-leading, dynamic, and growing team environment.
✔ Comprehensive training and career development programs, including monthly one-on-one sessions, career discussions, and biannual appraisals.
✔ Early responsibility and direct client engagement.
✔ Opportunities to work on major national and international projects.

About Pinsent Masons

Pinsent Masons is a top 100 global law firm, with over 3,800 employees across 28 locations worldwide, including Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East. The firm is known for its innovation, diversity, and industry-leading legal services.

Awards & Recognition

✔ Named Law Firm of the Year by Legal Business.
✔ Recognized by Financial Times as Europe’s Most Innovative Law Firm (three times in eight years).
✔ Winner of the FT’s Sustainability Award (Asia Pacific).
✔ Thomson Reuters’ leading legal brand in the UK.
✔ Top Global Employer by Stonewall for advancing LGBT+ inclusion.
✔ Top Ten Employer for Working Families (seven consecutive years).
✔ Accredited as a Disability Confident Employer.
✔ First law firm to sign up for the Global Valuable 500 Initiative.