Job Description
Job description
Planning Lawyer (0-6PQE)
Exposure to high-profile clients and partners is just the start. With us, you'll reap the rewards of enjoying responsibility from day one. So if you're looking to work at a fresh-thinking firm that's blazing a trail with industry-leading insight, it's time to take the leap.
The Team
We are looking to recruit a planning and consent lawyer to join our market-leading planning and compulsory purchase team. We are looking to recruit a candidate with ideally 0-6 years' PQE (please note, we will consider candidates with more experience).
In particular, we are looking for experience in any or all of work under the Electricity Act 1+8+, the Town and Country Planning Acts, Planning Act 2008, the Transport and Works Acts, compulsory acquisition/purchase and compensation matters, EIA/HRA, inquiries/examinations and judicial review. Applicants with experience of these sectors, but with a non-planning legal specialism, will also be considered. We have a number of team members who were previously in local government or in-house as well as lawyers who made late career changes.
The firm's market-leading lawyers provide strategic advice to clients across a range of industry sectors and are “Top nationally rated individuals...offering excellent value to clients” (L500, 2026). The team is recognised as Tier 1 in the legal directories and operates at the top level of the legal market, delivering planning and CPO advice to clients in the private and public sectors across the UK. We are involved in the entire development process – from devising consenting strategy to project delivery and everything in between. Unlike in many firms, our planning unit is distinct from the real estate department and wins work and clients on its own.
The role offers an opportunity to work across a broad range of work in Scotland and the UK - the best of both worlds. The Edinburgh team works on a fully integrated basis with the wider (Bristol and London) team. We work on some of the most high-profile projects in the Energy and Infrastructure sectors, including energy projects such as onshore and offshore wind, large scale solar, pumped storage hydro, carbon capture, nuclear, interconnectors and pipelines, and infrastructure, such as water infrastructure, flood defence, new roads and rail.
We opened our Edinburgh office in 201+ and since then, it has been going from strength to strength organically to an office of over 80 people. This could be your chance to 'rise with the tide', becoming a key player within an established team that offers top quality UK wide work within a top tier law firm.
• Planning
What others say…
“Burges Salmon has a first-rate team that works on complex planning matters. [The firm] is very strong at handling complex matters on both a proactive and reactive basis.” (Chambers, 2026).
The Firm
Our working environment is professional yet progressive, where quality of work and quality of life go hand-in-hand. Our collaborative approach to how we do business is totally refreshing. It's what attracts some of the best legal minds in the industry and it's why our people love working here.
We are proud to have received an Investors in People - Platinum Accreditation and have recently been voted by our people as a RollOnFriday's ‘Best Law Firm to Work At 2026' meaning we have won this award for the last 3 years in a row.
And did you know our hybrid working model offers flexible working options too?
Responsibilities
At Burges Salmon, you will have a fair, transparent path to progression. To find out more click here to download our Career Guide for Lawyers.
• Building the Culture: Excel in client service and engage in cultural initiatives to enhance Burges Salmon's workplace.
• Delivering Results: Meet personal goals and align your efforts with the firm's overall objectives.
• Growing our People: Build strong skills, seek opportunities for growth, and consistently deliver your best.
• Developing our Business: Support the development of new and exisiting client relationships.
What you'll need
• Relevant experience working on complex and high quality planning matters
• Be a strong team player, with excellent interpersonal skills
• Able to manage a complex and varied workload effectively
• Be self-motivated and willing to learn
• Must be a SRA or Law Society of Scotland registered lawyer
Benefits
Click here for a full overview of our brilliant reward package and find out more about the benefits of a legal career with Burges Salmon, here.
We're committed to finding the right person for this role and we're open to discussing flexible working, full time or part time working patterns.
It's important to us that our organisation represents the diverse community in which we operate and we encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and identities. As a Disability Confident employer we will provide a fully accessible recruitment process.
Get in touch!
If you would like to learn more about this opportunity, please contact Chris Jenkinson - 0117XXXXXX - for an informal and confidential conversation.
Have we hooked you yet? Make a leap. Make a splash…
Planning Lawyer (0-6PQE)
Exposure to high-profile clients and partners is just the start. With us, you'll reap the rewards of enjoying responsibility from day one. So if you're looking to work at a fresh-thinking firm that's blazing a trail with industry-leading insight, it's time to take the leap.
The Team
We are looking to recruit a planning and consent lawyer to join our market-leading planning and compulsory purchase team. We are looking to recruit a candidate with ideally 0-6 years' PQE (please note, we will consider candidates with more experience).
In particular, we are looking for experience in any or all of work under the Electricity Act 1+8+, the Town and Country Planning Acts, Planning Act 2008, the Transport and Works Acts, compulsory acquisition/purchase and compensation matters, EIA/HRA, inquiries/examinations and judicial review. Applicants with experience of these sectors, but with a non-planning legal specialism, will also be considered. We have a number of team members who were previously in local government or in-house as well as lawyers who made late career changes.
The firm's market-leading lawyers provide strategic advice to clients across a range of industry sectors and are “Top nationally rated individuals...offering excellent value to clients” (L500, 2026). The team is recognised as Tier 1 in the legal directories and operates at the top level of the legal market, delivering planning and CPO advice to clients in the private and public sectors across the UK. We are involved in the entire development process – from devising consenting strategy to project delivery and everything in between. Unlike in many firms, our planning unit is distinct from the real estate department and wins work and clients on its own.
The role offers an opportunity to work across a broad range of work in Scotland and the UK - the best of both worlds. The Edinburgh team works on a fully integrated basis with the wider (Bristol and London) team. We work on some of the most high-profile projects in the Energy and Infrastructure sectors, including energy projects such as onshore and offshore wind, large scale solar, pumped storage hydro, carbon capture, nuclear, interconnectors and pipelines, and infrastructure, such as water infrastructure, flood defence, new roads and rail.
We opened our Edinburgh office in 201+ and since then, it has been going from strength to strength organically to an office of over 80 people. This could be your chance to 'rise with the tide', becoming a key player within an established team that offers top quality UK wide work within a top tier law firm.
• Planning
What others say…
“Burges Salmon has a first-rate team that works on complex planning matters. [The firm] is very strong at handling complex matters on both a proactive and reactive basis.” (Chambers, 2026).
The Firm
Our working environment is professional yet progressive, where quality of work and quality of life go hand-in-hand. Our collaborative approach to how we do business is totally refreshing. It's what attracts some of the best legal minds in the industry and it's why our people love working here.
We are proud to have received an Investors in People - Platinum Accreditation and have recently been voted by our people as a RollOnFriday's ‘Best Law Firm to Work At 2026' meaning we have won this award for the last 3 years in a row.
And did you know our hybrid working model offers flexible working options too?
Responsibilities
At Burges Salmon, you will have a fair, transparent path to progression. To find out more click here to download our Career Guide for Lawyers.
• Building the Culture: Excel in client service and engage in cultural initiatives to enhance Burges Salmon's workplace.
• Delivering Results: Meet personal goals and align your efforts with the firm's overall objectives.
• Growing our People: Build strong skills, seek opportunities for growth, and consistently deliver your best.
• Developing our Business: Support the development of new and exisiting client relationships.
What you'll need
• Relevant experience working on complex and high quality planning matters
• Be a strong team player, with excellent interpersonal skills
• Able to manage a complex and varied workload effectively
• Be self-motivated and willing to learn
• Must be a SRA or Law Society of Scotland registered lawyer
Benefits
Click here for a full overview of our brilliant reward package and find out more about the benefits of a legal career with Burges Salmon, here.
We're committed to finding the right person for this role and we're open to discussing flexible working, full time or part time working patterns.
It's important to us that our organisation represents the diverse community in which we operate and we encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and identities. As a Disability Confident employer we will provide a fully accessible recruitment process.
Get in touch!
If you would like to learn more about this opportunity, please contact Chris Jenkinson - 0117XXXXXX - for an informal and confidential conversation.
Have we hooked you yet? Make a leap. Make a splash…
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Planning Lawyer position is now open for candidates interested in the Legal Jobs sector. This role in Edinburgh offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Legal Jobs is a plus.
