Planning Associate/Senior Assocaiate

This UK Top 50 firm is seeking a senior Planning lawyer to join their highly regarded Real Estate team in Edinburgh.

Known for their quality of work and a tight-knit, flexible and approachable culture, this team has been growing quickly. The role would suit a skilled Planning lawyer who values agency in their career and is seeking a leadership opportunity and the ability to develop out their own practice.

The Firm

• Top 50, multi-award-winning, full-service national firm with international reach
• Acts for major corporates, public sector bodies, developers, and landowners alongside SMEs and individuals
• Supportive, friendly culture with genuinely flexible working practices
• Strong focus on career development, specialism, and long-term progression

The Team

• Highly regarded national Planning team with experts across the country.
• Advises on major energy, infrastructure, residential, commercial, and regeneration projects
• Acts for developers, utilities, transport bodies, local authorities, government agencies, and major landowners
• Collaborative, close-knit team with particular expertise across the spectrum of real estate work.

The Role

• Based in Edinburgh with integration into the national Planning practice, you would be able to have an immediate impact - working closely with colleagues in Real Estate and supporting them with expert planning advice for their well established and high-quality client base.
• Lead and support on major UK-wide projects including:

• Energy & infrastructure schemes

• Large-scale residential and commercial developments

• Regeneration and mixed-use projects

• Work includes:

• Development Consent Orders (DCOs) and analogous Scottish regimes

• Planning applications, appeals, and call-ins

• Compulsory purchase and compensation

• EIA and HRA, s36 consents, marine licences

• Public local inquiries, roads law matters, judicial review

• Asset protection issues and major real estate/energy transactions

• Opportunity to help shape nationally significant, long-term developments
• Involvement in business development, client relationship management, and profile-raising activities
• As the senior Planning lawyer in the team, there is a clear progression pathway all the way to Partner level. You would be encouraged to support juniors, develop as a leader and build out high-ceiling practice.

The Ideal Candidate

• Qualified solicitor with 4+ PQE in Planning (both advisory and contentious)
• Strong experience in planning legislation and policy (e.g. Town and Country Planning Acts and Scottish equivalents)
• Comfortable managing complex, varied workloads and deadlines
• Excellent written and oral advocacy skills; confident dealing with clients and stakeholders
• Proactive, commercially aware, and interested in business development

What's on Offer

• Opportunity to join a prestigious, Top 50 National Platform at Associate/Senior Associate level
• High-quality, high-value work on nationally significant projects
• Clear, structured career progression and ongoing professional development
• Highly attractive salary and comprehensive benefits package
• Supportive, flexible working environment with strong focus on well-being

How to Apply

Apply now for immediate consideration or contact Jules Grieve on 0131 460 7747or at jules@jmc-legal.com for a confidential chat.