Shakespeare Martineau hires leading construction disputes partner to drive London growth 

National law firm Shakespeare Martineau has appointed Jonathan Pawlowski as a partner in its London office – marking a significant step in the firm’s continued investment in its specialist construction practice.

Jonathan joins from Howard Kennedy, bringing close to three decades of experience advising on some of the most complex and high-value disputes in the construction, engineering and infrastructure sectors.

His practice spans litigation, arbitration, adjudication and mediation – with a particular focus on technically demanding and commercially sensitive matters. He has acted on a wide range of disputes, including extensions of time, loss and expense claims, structural defects and professional negligence issues involving construction specialists, as well as associated insurance matters.

Jonathan’s experience also includes advising on major infrastructure disputes, notably those arising from the £500m M6 Toll road project, alongside multiple concurrent adjudications on developments with a combined value of around £100m. He has Higher Rights of Audience in all courts of England and Wales and has appeared in both the Technology and Construction Court and the Court of Appeal.

In parallel with his practice, he is a respected adjudicator, regularly sitting on complex disputes and contributing to the development of the profession through his work with industry bodies including the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb).

In his new role, Jonathan will work closely with colleagues across Shakespeare Martineau to deepen its construction capability, support clients on complex projects, and play a central role in the continued growth of the firm’s London office and in developing its next generation of construction lawyers.

Jonathan said: “Shakespeare Martineau combines a strong market reputation with a genuinely collaborative and inclusive culture. That balance was a major factor in my decision to join.

“The opportunity to contribute to the continued growth of the construction disputes practice in London, while working alongside a strong team, is particularly compelling.

“I am focused on delivering clear, commercially grounded advice, and building lasting relationships with clients – helping them navigate the challenges that arise on complex construction projects.”

Victoria Tester, managing director at Shakespeare Martineau, said: “Jonathan is a highly regarded construction disputes lawyer with a proven track record on complex, high-value matters.

“His depth of experience across adjudication, arbitration and litigation – combined with his advocacy credentials and standing in the market – will add real strength to our growing London practice.

“Jonathan’s appointment reflects both the scale of opportunity we see in the construction sector and our commitment to investing in senior talent to meet evolving client demand.”

This content is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. It is not intended to address the circumstances of any individual or entity, nor should it be relied upon as a substitute for specific advice from a qualified solicitor. The information reflects the legal position as at the date specified and may be subject to change. If you require advice on a specific matter, please contact us directly.