Lester Aldridge has an exciting opportunity for an experienced Associate to join our busy and expanding Real Estate Development team based in our Southampton office, with the flexibility of working. This is a key role in one of the firm’s most active departments, offering exposure to a wide range of development transactions including site acquisitions for residential housebuilders, strategic land projects, health care development and occupational requirements, development finance, and commercial developments. Your Responsibilities Transactional Support: Advise on and manage real estate development transactions including care home and GP surgery developments, acquisitions and occupational arrangements, residential and commercial site acquisitions, strategic land arrangements, and financing. Drafting & Negotiation: Draft and negotiate development agreements, option agreements, conditional contracts, and related real estate documentation. Client Engagement: Build and maintain strong client relationships, providing practical and commercially focused advice. Case Management: Run your own matters independently with support from senior team members when needed. Business Development: Contribute to the growth of the practice through networking, client development, and marketing initiatives. Team Collaboration: Work closely with other legal teams and professionals to ensure seamless client service. About Us: Lester Aldridge is a leading South Coast law firm with a reputation for delivering expert legal advice across a wide range of sectors. Our Real Estate Development team acts for a first-class client base including housebuilders, landowners, developers, and funders. At LA, client service is paramount, and we aim to provide high-quality legal support while maintaining a healthy work-life balance for our team. What We’re Looking For: Qualifications : A qualified Solicitor or Associate with 3-6 years PQE in real estate development transactions. Technical Expertise : Strong knowledge of residential and commercial development law, with experience drafting and negotiating key real estate documents. Skills : Excellent communication, organisation, and IT skills. Strong attention to detail and a proactive mindset. Attributes : A collaborative team player with a commercial approach to legal problem-solving. Track Record : Demonstrable success in handling a range of development matters independently or with minimal supervision. What We Offer: Competitive Salary: Commensurate with experience. Private Medical Insurance: Full health coverage. Training & Development: Ongoing professional development and support. Generous Leave: 25 days holiday plus your birthday and an extra day at Christmas. Additional Benefits: Contributory pension scheme, life assurance, and access to Perkbox – a discounts platform offering perks such as cinema tickets and free monthly points. We are proud of our inclusive, supportive culture and are committed to being an equal opportunities employer. All successful applicants will be subject to background screening, which may include a DBS and/or financial check. Offers may be withdrawn if results are unsatisfactory.