Commercial Property Solicitor

Commercial Property Senior Solicitor (minimum 6 years’ PQE) – salary competitive, dependent upon experience plus staff benefits.

The Commercial Property Department currently consists of a team of sixteen including a Head of Department Partner, four further Partners, two Senior Solicitors, four Assistant Solicitors, three Trainee Solicitors and two Paralegals.  There is currently one Partner, one Senior Solicitor, one Trainee Solicitor and two Paralegals dealing exclusively with development work.

The Department’s “strong reputation” is recognised by the Legal 500 granting them “Top Tier” status and the firm is a member of the MSI Global Alliance of independent law firms and a member of the UK200 Group.

The position would suit someone with a good academic background and training who is looking to further develop their career and maintain a good quality of work in a team-orientated environment.  Candidates are required to have all-round commercial property experience and have an ability to play a lead role in transactions and to effectively manage more junior lawyers.  This role is to support the continued expansion of the development team and would suit someone who can demonstrate solid experience in this area as well as a willingness to assist in business development and implementation of the development team strategy.  Candidates will need to demonstrate high levels of technical skill and the ability to maintain strong client relationships. Candidates are also required to demonstrate how they can promote the commercial property and other legal services offered by the firm to existing and new target clients and obtain referrals from contacts and referrers. Some client and contact following would be advantageous but is not essential.

The role involves conducting own work as a lead fee earner on a wide range of development matters.  The Department currently acts for an increasing number of property developers of all types and sizes with property interests in the North West and further afield.

Typical matters are:

• Promotion agreements, option agreements, pre-emption agreements, conditional contracts
• Overage arrangements
• Development agreements
• Forward funding agreements
• Re-financing
• Section 106 agreements, section 278 agreements and other statutory agreements
• Site set up
• Sale of freehold reversions

This role would suit candidates with an ability to lead a team but also work independently in a supportive, collegiate environment and who are able to respond to clients’ urgent requirements whilst maintaining and supporting the maintenance of a proper work/life balance.  Candidates should have an ability and willingness to communicate effectively with clients, colleagues and other departments of the firm.  The role will also provide scope for the successful candidate to be involved in practice development not only for the Commercial Property Department but also for the other legal services offered by the firm.