Senior Associate / Legal Director - Ipswich, Chelmsford, Norwich, Cambridge, London, Sevenoaks or Bristol
PQE: Term Type: PermanentWorking Hours: Reports to: Department: Residential Development (Social Housing)
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 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.
Next Level Law is also applied to our people. Our collegiate culture means everyone is encouraged to achieve their next level in everything they do. RollOnFriday recently ranked us as the 5th best law firm to work at in 2024.
With our ambition to succeed, comes a strong desire to make a positive contribution to the communities we serve, and we are committed to delivering the objectives set out in our ESG strategy. Diversity plays an integral part in all that we do, with female partners comprising 40% of our partnership.
The Residential Development Team at Birketts includes 5 partners and 40 other fee earners at all levels working collaboratively together across six of Birketts’ seven offices. The team also works closely with other Birketts’ teams, which includes full support from tax, planning, environmental, construction and Real Estate litigation teams and will include close liaison with our specialist contentious Social Housing management team .Working with that team enables great access to a significant number of Registered Providers for whom the firm acts.
The Residential Development Team sits within Birketts’ highly regarded and one of the UK’s largest dedicated Real Estate teams. Our property lawyers are particularly experienced in dealing with development and investment, planning, secured lending and landlord and tenant matters. This role will have a particular focus on the Social Housing sector.
Our lawyers come from a range of backgrounds, including major City practices, other major national and regional firms, industry and local government and include individuals with construction, planning and commercial expertise. The depth and range of expertise means the team can work together in major and complex transactions on cost effective terms, providing our clients with true value for money.
* A minimum of 6 years PQE in a professional legal environment
* Well-developed knowledge in all areas of residential development law with a bias towards the social housing sector.
* Contribute to thought leadership and social housing sector-focused marketing initiatives
* Ability to mentor junior team members and contribute to team development
* Established client base or network within the Social Housing sector (preferred but not essential)
* Experience building credibility and trust through effective relationships
* To be competent in using Microsoft Word, Excel, time recording software, case management, Outlook and digital dictation
* Business development acumen with experience in growing a client base and identifying new business opportunities.
Birketts has designed a Talent Management Framework which provides a career structure that will help us develop, retain and reward talented people. As a Senior Associate, we typically expect candidates to have a minimum of 6 years PQE.
Any 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.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a team that plays a key role in the delivery of residential development projects, with a particular focus on the social housing sector. You will be involved in transactions that support affordable housing and community development, working closely with housing associations, developers, and local authorities.
The successful candidate will play a critical role in providing expert legal advice and services to RP clients.
You will be responsible for:
* Ensuring client needs are met with the highest standard of professionalism and efficiency
* Maintaining and growing client relationships and contributing to the strategic direction and success of the team and the firm.
* Providing support and training to junior lawyers, fostering a collaborative and supportive work environment.
* Participating in networking events, conferences and other business development activities to promote the firm’s services.
* Acquisitions of housing development sites for RPs through a variety of contract structures for RPs, including land led and strategic land schemes
* Acquisitions of "s.106 sites” for RPs from private housebuilders, including drafting and negotiation of development agreements (turnkey and golden brick)
* Experienced in checking s106 affordable housing provisions to ensure compliance with grant funding requirements
* Dealing with golden brick completions and handover arrangements
* Negotiating Nomination Agreements on behalf of Registered Providers
* Site-set up work for Registered Providers and liaison to the plot sales sub-team within the Residential Development Team on shared ownership completions
* Drafting and negotiating Infrastructure Agreements and all aspects of estate infrastructure transfers and easements for Registered Providers
* Drafting and negotiating Management Agreements and Service Level Agreements on behalf on Registered Providers
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. Alongside a flexible and inclusive work environment, we offer the following core benefits:
* 30 days holiday (FTE) plus Bank Holidays
* Long Service holiday award – 1 extra week every 10 years continuous service
* Private Healthcare with BUPA (offered after probation is passed)
* Scottish Widows Pension Scheme (5% employer / 5% Employee)
* Staff Profit Share and Individual Performance Bonus Scheme
* Salary sacrifice (Pensions, Staff Profit Share)
* Life Assurance - 4 x salary / Permanent Health Insurance
* Paid CSR Day
* Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Leave
* Subsidised gym membership
* Electric car scheme
* Agile/Hybrid Working Policy
* Dress for your Day Policy
Birketts is a flexible business which has embraced a hybrid working model where our colleagues enjoy a mix of home and office working. 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.
Please 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.
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.