Solicitor/Associate - Residential Development

About Us Birketts is a full service, UK Top 50 law firm. With a heritage spanning 160 years, we have more than 700 lawyers and legal professionals and over 600 staff based in Bristol, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Ipswich, London, Norwich and Sevenoaks. We advise businesses, government and public sector organisations and individuals in the UK and internationally across four principal practice groups: Real Estate, Corporate Services, Dispute Resolution and Private Client. We are defined by our Next Level Law proposition. We work with our clients as a proactive partner, horizon scanning and thinking ahead to the changes, challenges or opportunities that they may face. The team you will join Our Residential Development team sits within our wider Real Estate Division and specialise in the acquisition, sale and development of land for an array of national and SME Residential Developers and Registered Providers. The team also works closely with other Birketts’ teams, which includes full support from tax, planning, environmental, construction and Real Estate litigation teams. Our property lawyers are particularly experienced in dealing with development and investment, planning, secured lending and landlord and tenant matters. The work you will be doing Drafting and negotiating on relevant contracts, deeds, documents, advice notes, letters and correspondence tailored to the client’s individual needs and requirementsDirect communication with clients, advisers and other relevant stakeholdersSupporting an active caseload with the aim of providing efficient and effective adviceParticipating in marketing and networking initiativesOwnership of personal financial performance, demonstrating accountability and a commercial mindsetPlease note that this job profile is not an exhaustive list of duties but merely an outline of the key components of the role. You may be required by your line manager to take on additional responsibilities when requested. What we are looking for Completion of a recognised training contract or equivalent qualifying experienceDemonstrable interest and foundational knowledge in chosen practice areaStrong attention to detail to produce work documentation which is consistently of a high standardApplies strong legal and commercial judgement, researches precedents effectively, and drafts complex documents with appropriate senior guidanceManages time recording, billing support and workload efficiently to meet financial targets and maximise fee recoveryActively supports business development through events, pitches and networking, building profile and identifying opportunities via firm and client relationshipsDelivers high-quality client service with minimal supervision, providing timely, accurate advice and demonstrating strong understanding of client needs and prioritiesManages time reliably, communicates proactively, embraces feedback, and demonstrates a collaborative, adaptable and positive “can-do” approachConsistently meets compliance requirements by completing reviews and reports on time, adhering to risk management best practices, understanding Lexcel standards, and completing all mandatory trainingStrong attention to detail to produce work documentation which is consistently of a high standardProfessional integrity and a commitment to providing excellent client serviceTo be competent in using Microsoft Word, Excel, time recording software, case management, Outlook and digital dictationAny information provided in relation to PQE should be used for guidance only and will not be determinative in the recruitment decision. Applicants will be considered on their individual merits. Hybrid Working Birketts is a flexible business which has embraced a hybrid working model where our colleagues enjoy a mix of home and office working. This role attracts a split of 80% office days and 20% working from home days per week. We welcome applications from people looking for flexible, agile, and part-time roles and we are happy to explore your preferred working patterns as part of your application. Benefits As a Birketts colleague, you will be eligible to receive a wide range of benefits: 25 days holiday (FTE) plus Bank HolidaysLong Service holiday award - 1 extra week every 10 years continuous servicePrivate Healthcare with BUPA (offered after probation is passed)Scottish Widows Pension Scheme (5% employer / 5% Employee)Staff Profit Share and Individual Performance Bonus SchemeSalary sacrifice (Pensions, Staff Profit Share)Life Assurance - 4 x salary / Permanent Health InsurancePaid CSR DayEnhanced Maternity/Paternity LeaveSubsidised gym membershipElectric car schemeDress for your Day PolicyYou can find out more on our website: https://www.birketts.co.uk/recognition-reward-benefits/ Inclusivity and Culture At Birketts, our culture is driven by ambition and a commitment to positively impact all the communities we serve. We are dedicated to the success, development, and wellbeing of our colleagues, helping them achieve their goals and seize the opportunities that come with our growth. Birketts is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our policy is unequivocal: we do not tolerate discrimination based on age, disability, sex, race, religion or belief, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, or sexual orientation. We pride ourselves on being an inclusive organisation that actively promotes equality of opportunity for all, valuing the right mix of talent, skills, and potential. We welcome applications from a diverse range of candidates, and selection for roles is based solely on individual merit. If you require this advert in an accessible format, please visit https://diversityjobsgroup.com/company/birketts/ Artificial Intelligence (AI) At Birketts, we recognise the evolving role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the legal profession and recruitment. We welcome innovation and understand that candidates may use AI tools to support their job applications. However, we expect all applicants to use AI responsibly and ethically. Our expectations regarding AI use in applications: Your application should reflect your own voice, experiences, and insights. AI may assist in structuring or refining your responses, but it must not replace your personal input.Do not use AI to misrepresent your qualifications, experiences, or skills. Any form of exaggeration or fabrication may result in rejection from the process.If you have used AI tools to assist with your application, be prepared to discuss how and why you used them during the interview process.Do not submit content generated by AI tools that may include personal or sensitive data not intended for public disclosure.AI-generated content should be reviewed and edited by you to ensure accuracy, relevance, and alignment with the role and our firm’s values. We are committed to fair and inclusive recruitment practices. The use of AI should enhance, not compromise, your application. We encourage candidates to demonstrate critical thinking, commercial awareness, and a genuine interest in our firm. If you have any questions about our expectations or the use of AI in your application, please contact our Talent Acquisition Team via talent@birketts.co.uk