About Us
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 and over 600 staff 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: a proactive partnership that scans horizons and anticipates challenges and opportunities for our clients.
Team you will join
The Utilities team sits within the wider Real Estate Division, advising on complex infrastructure, energy and utilities related property matters and volume conveyancing for the networks including electricity, gas, fibre, water and EV charge point operators. The team acts for a wide range of clients – statutory undertakers, national and regional energy providers, water companies, landowners – spanning acquisitions and disposals, easements and wayleaves, infrastructure agreements and strategic land projects. With lawyers at varying levels, the team is one of the largest dedicated utilities teams in the country and represents several of the registered Independent Distribution Network Operators.
The work you will be doing
* Drafting, negotiating and advising on a broad range of contracts, deeds and legal documentation (including leases, easements and ancillary documents) tailored to each client’s specific requirements and risk profile.
* Building and maintaining strong client relationships through direct communication with clients and intermediaries, acting as a trusted point of contact.
* Managing and progressing an active caseload, ensuring matters are handled efficiently, deadlines are met and a high standard of client service is consistently delivered.
* Supporting and collaborating with colleagues across the team, including supervising and mentoring junior fee earners, sharing knowledge and contributing to team development.
* Participating in and supporting marketing, business development and networking initiatives, including client events, sector‑focused activities and profile‑raising opportunities.
* Contributing to continuous improvement of team processes, precedents and ways of working to enhance efficiency and service delivery.
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.
What we are looking for
We are recruiting for a candidate with a clear interest and experience working within a busy Real Estate team (residential or commercial). The role requires strong attention to detail and the ability to manage high volumes of work, ensuring the consistent production of accurate, high‑quality documentation.
* Demonstrable interest and foundational knowledge in the chosen practice area.
* Experience working in a Real Estate team – residential or commercial.
* Strong attention to detail to produce work documentation which is consistently of a high standard.
* Professional integrity and a commitment to providing excellent client service.
* Competence in using Microsoft Word, Excel, time‑recording software, case‑management, Outlook and digital dictation.
As a Solicitor, we typically expect candidates to have up to 3 years PQE. As an Associate, we typically expect candidates to have between 3–6 years PQE.
Hybrid Working
Birketts is a flexible business that has embraced a hybrid working model where our colleagues enjoy a mix of home and office working. This role attracts a split of 80 % office days and 20 % working from home days per week after a successful probationary period. 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.
Benefits
* 25 days holiday (FTE) plus bank holidays.
* Long service holiday award – one extra week every 10 years of 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 × salary / permanent health insurance.
* Paid CSR day.
* Enhanced maternity/paternity leave.
* Subsidised gym membership.
* Electric car scheme.
* Dress for your day policy.
You can find out more on our website: https://www.birketts.co.uk/recognition-reward-benefits/
Inclusivity and Culture
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.
If you require this advert in an accessible format, please visit https://diversityjobsgroup.com/company/birketts/
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