Job Description
Commercial Property Litigation Solicitor (In-House)
Our client, a privately owned property management group with a substantial London and South East portfolio, is looking to hire a Commercial Property Litigation Solicitor to join their busy in‑house legal team.
The company manages a diverse portfolio of 800+ properties valued at over £500 million, including office blocks, industrial estates, mixed-use developments, leisure and retail units, as well as development sites. With a team of 50+ covering legal, property, asset management, surveyors, and finance; the legal team plays a key role in supporting the business' commercial property operations.
You will join a small, specialist legal team led by the Head of Legal. The team currently consists of a Residential Property Solicitor, a Commercial Leases Solicitor, and relies on external counsel for non-core matters. This new hire is required due to growing workload, particularly in commercial property litigation.
Your role
* Managing a varied commercial property litigation caseload, including landlord and tenant disputes, service charge recovery, dilapidations, forfeiture, and lease breaches.
* Handling matters from pre‑litigation advice through to court hearings, settlement negotiations, and alternative dispute resolution (ADR).
* Drafting and reviewing pleadings, witness statements, correspondence, and settlement agreements.
* Advising internal teams on practical, commercially focused solutions and liaising effectively with external counsel.
* Contributing to risk management and process improvements by identifying trends in disputes and providing strategic guidance to the business.
* Providing support across other commercial property matters as required, including development and mixed-use projects.
Your profile
* Qualified solicitor (England & Wales) with minimum 3 years PQE in commercial property litigation.
* Strong experience in landlord and tenant disputes, service charge litigation, and lease enforcement.
* Proven ability to manage your own caseload, prioritising deadlines and making commercial decisions independently.
* Excellent drafting, negotiation, and advocacy skills, with confidence in client contact and representing the business.
* Experience of court proceedings, ADR, and settlement negotiations.
* Commercially minded, proactive, and able to work collaboratively with colleagues across property management, finance, and asset teams.
* Excellent communication skills and the ability to liaise effectively with external counsel and internal stakeholders.