About the Role
Join to apply for the Junior Legal Counsel (Real Estate) role at McDonald's. McDonald's has been operating in the UK since 1974 and currently runs over 1,500 restaurants across the UK and Ireland, serving almost four million customers each day. The company is one of the UK’s largest private‑sector employers, employing more than 170,000 people.
Hybrid Working
This role is based in our East Finchley office and requires three days in the office and two days working remotely.
What You’ll Be Doing
We’re looking for a Junior Legal Counsel to join our in‑house Real Estate Legal team and support the legal needs of our property portfolio across the UK and Ireland. Reporting to a Senior Legal Counsel, you’ll play a key role in delivering commercial legal advice across a broad range of real‑estate matters, from lease renewals to acquisitions, that underpins our growth and operations.
Key Responsibilities
* Manage lease renewals, reversionary leases, under‑lettings, disposals, and licences with minimal supervision
* Conduct title investigations for potential acquisition sites
* Provide day‑to‑day legal support to Asset Management and Estates teams
* Own and manage Estate queries via the Real Estate Shared Inbox
* Review deeds, conduct searches, and report on registered titles and lease provisions
* Support legal projects and policy development within the department
* Assist with new store acquisitions and lease renewals, including title reviews and property searches
* Liaise with external solicitors where required and identify when external input is needed
What You’ll Need
* Qualified solicitor with strong academic credentials
* Up to four years of post‑qualification experience in commercial property law
* Transactional experience (e.g., licences for alterations, assignments, under‑lettings)
* Able to provide pragmatic, commercial legal advice
* Strong written and verbal communication skills, adaptable to different audiences
* High attention to detail and a solution‑focused mindset
* Commercial awareness and sound business judgement
* Ability to work independently and collaboratively
* Proficiency in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
What You’ll Get
* Access to industry‑leading training and career‑development opportunities
* A collaborative and inclusive culture where your ideas are valued
* Competitive salary plus a comprehensive benefits package, including bonus, car and location allowance, free parking, lunch, and gym access
* Hybrid working, offering a mix of three days in the office and two days remote
Our Culture & Values
At McDonald's, our vision is to be the UK’s and Ireland’s best‑loved restaurant. Our values—Serve, Inclusion, Integrity, and Family—guide how we treat each other and our customers. We celebrate diversity, foster an inclusive culture, and stand against inequality and discrimination.
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