Salary :
£85,000 monthly
Location: Leeds (flexible working available)
Career Level: Managing Associate 3-10 PQE
Salary: £50,000 - £85,000 + Bonus (dependent on experience)
Are you an ambitious residential development lawyer looking to join one of the UK's largest and most dynamic housebuilding and strategic land teams? Our client, a nationally recognised law firm with over 1,000 colleagues across 13 offices, is seeking a Real Estate/Housebuilding and Strategic Land Managing Associate with 3-10 years' PQE to join their expanding Leeds team.
This is an exceptional opportunity to work with one of the largest residential development teams in the UK, acting for the majority of the top 10 and top 20 housebuilders, local and national developers, housing associations, landowners, local authorities, investors, and promoters. The firm has been extremely successful with recent national housebuilder panel wins (both new appointments and re-appointments).
The Housebuilding & Strategic Land (HSL) team is one of the largest residential development teams in the UK and is supported by large planning, plot sales, construction, environmental, agricultural, litigation, and tax teams – with 80+ lawyers within the related HSL sector group.
The team acts for the majority of the top 10 and top 20 housebuilders, local and national developers, housing associations, landowners (from individuals to major PLC regeneration companies), local authorities, investors, and promoters in the residential development and strategic land sectors.
The firm's vision is to be the best firm in the UK for residential development and to grow whilst maintaining a unique culture, where 'doing the right thing' and looking after people remains at the heart of what they do.
As a Real Estate/Housebuilding and Strategic Land Managing Associate, you will act for the firm's expanding client base of housebuilding and strategic land clients, working on a varied caseload of residential development transactions. This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing team and take an active part in that growth.
Depending on your level of experience, you will handle routine and complex residential development transactions, build and develop client relationships, and benefit from extensive training and support for your career development.
Your key responsibilities will include:
Acting for housebuilders, promoters, developers, landowners, housing associations, and local authorities on residential development transactions
Handling routine transactions including conditional and unconditional contracts, options, golden-brick and other affordable housing transactions
Advising on back-to-back sales, deeds of easement, infrastructure agreements, and overages
Managing site-assembly transactions and service charge/management agreements
Advising on complex transactions including strategic land/promotion agreements/hybrid agreements and collaboration agreements
Advising on VAT and SDLT issues in residential development transactions
Advising on affordable housing transactions
Building and developing strong client relationships
Working collaboratively with colleagues across the HSL sector group including planning, plot sales, construction, environmental, agricultural, litigation, and tax teams
Contributing to business development activities and maintaining relationships with national housebuilder panel clients
Providing exceptional client service with commercially focused advice
Managing your own caseload whilst collaborating on more complex matters
Taking an active part in the growth and development of the team
Essential Requirements:
3-10 years' PQE in real estate law with focus on residential development
Qualified Solicitor in England and Wales
Strong technical knowledge of residential development transactions
Ambitious, client-focused, and highly competent
Team player who thrives in a collaborative environment
Excellent drafting and negotiation skills
Strong client care skills with ability to build and maintain relationships
Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal
Strong organisational skills and ability to manage multiple matters simultaneously
Commercially focused with pragmatic approach to problem-solving
Commitment to delivering exceptional client service
Highly Desirable (dependent on level of experience):
Proven track record in acting for housebuilders, promoters, developers, landowners, housing associations, and local authorities
Good and growing client relationships
Competency with routine transactions such as conditional and unconditional contracts, options, golden-brick and other affordable housing transactions, back-to-back sales, deeds of easement, infrastructure agreements, overages, site-assembly, and service charge/management agreements
Experience of complex transactions such as strategic land/promotion agreements/hybrid agreements and collaboration agreements
Good understanding of VAT and SDLT issues
Good understanding of affordable housing transactions
Experience working with national housebuilders or on housebuilder panels
Key Attributes:
Ambitious and driven with clear career progression goals
Proactive and self-motivated with strong work ethic
Client-focused with commitment to exceptional service delivery
Strong team player who values collaboration
Adaptable and able to work on diverse and complex transactions
Strong attention to detail and accuracy
Commercially astute with excellent problem-solving abilities
Enthusiastic about residential development and strategic land work
Commitment to 'doing the right thing' and firm values
Our client is committed to recognising and rewarding great work, with rewards and benefits that are among the best in the business.
Benefits include:
Competitive salary: £50,000 - £85,000 (dependent on experience)
Bonus scheme
Clear progression pathway with leadership support
Award-winning firm with national reputation
Part of one of the largest residential development teams in the UK with 80+ lawyers in the HSL sector group
Work with the majority of the top 10 and top 20 housebuilders
Diverse client base including national housebuilders, developers, housing associations, landowners, local authorities, investors, and promoters
Recent national housebuilder panel wins (new appointments and re-appointments)
Extensive training scheme to support future career development
Further exposure to complex transactions and specialist areas
Supported by large planning, plot sales, construction, environmental, agricultural, litigation, and tax teams
Excellent training and professional development opportunities
Employee awards programme recognising excellent work
Strong focus on employee wellbeing
Unique culture where 'doing the right thing' and looking after people is at the heart
Inclusive and diverse culture (Gold Investors in People Award, Firm of the Year at UK Diversity Legal Awards)
Collaborative team environment where everyone's voice is heard
Leeds office with flexible working available
Modern office with excellent facilities
Our client is one of the largest full-service law firms in the UK, with over 1,000 colleagues across 13 offices nationwide. Built on solid foundations of integrity, entrepreneurialism, and expertise, the firm has established an award-winning reputation and continues to grow.
The Housebuilding & Strategic Land (HSL) team is one of the largest residential development teams in the UK, with 80+ lawyers within the related HSL sector group. The team is supported by large planning, plot sales, construction, environmental, agricultural, litigation, and tax teams.
The team acts for the majority of the top 10 and top 20 housebuilders, local and national developers, housing associations, landowners (from individuals to major PLC regeneration companies), local authorities, investors, and promoters in the residential development and strategic land sectors.
The firm has been extremely successful with recent national housebuilder panel wins (both new appointments and re-appointments) and continues to expand its client base.
The firm's vision is to be the best firm in the UK for residential development and to grow whilst maintaining a unique culture, where 'doing the right thing' and looking after people remains at the heart of what they do.
The firm is widely recognised for its inclusive attitude and diversity, winning 'Firm of the Year' at the UK Diversity Legal Awards and achieving Gold in the Investors in People Award.
The firm's values are smart, bold, and together, with a commitment to making a positive change at every touchpoint for colleagues, clients, and communities.
This role is based in the firm's Leeds office, located in the city centre with excellent transport links and access to local amenities. The office offers a modern, professional working environment with a friendly, collaborative team culture. Flexible working arrangements are available.
If you're an ambitious residential development lawyer with a passion for delivering exceptional client service and keen to join one of the UK's largest housebuilding and strategic land teams, we'd love to hear from you. Click apply now or contact [email protected] or 0333 996 2882
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