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.

• 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

• 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.

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.

• 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

• 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

Apply now for immediate consideration or contact Jules Grieve on  or at  for a confidential chat.