Associate

Shakespeare Martineau is a Top 55 law firm that combines creativity, commerciality and clarity. We work with blue-chip companies, leading organisations, high street brands and individuals across the country.

As enterprising and original thinkers, we’re driven to create exceptional experiences for our clients and our people. We handle personal and business-critical issues and game-changing deals across many dynamic sectors. It’s stimulating and rewarding.

We’re hardworking and deeply ambitious about creating opportunities for our employees; to move forward and achieve our ambition together. We provide an environment in which you’re supported to reach your potential.

Our people have a blend of excellent technical and business skills with the talent to do things differently.

Here you’ll find top quality work, cutting edge training, high profile clients, and supportive colleagues. We think it could be time you joined us.

Our multi-disciplinary Real Estate group is highly regarded by our clients and within the sector. It comprises not only lawyers but also town and country planners. We’ve brought experts into our services in planning, development, investment, landlord and tenant matters, social housing, construction and litigation with a particular emphasis on energy, housing, education, finance and investment funds.

The role:

This is an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and driven Associate to join a vibrant and growing Development team within our Solihull office, offering a great working environment and excellent quality work.

The team can offer opportunities for progression and exposure to quality clients.

This role would suit someone who enjoys client contact and works well under pressure; you will have exposure to hands on experience from day one.

You will play a key role in the team focussing on development land acquisition and disposal work, providing technical support for the wider team and work alongside other acquisition lawyers in our Development team. You will act for a range of clients including real estate developers, promoters, landowners, and affordable housing providers.

Your key duties will be:

• negotiating real estate agreements, such as strategic land options, promotion agreements, conditional and unconditional sale agreements, collaboration agreements and looking at title documentation and title issues
• running files from start to finish
• technical support to the wider team including involvement in large scale long term development projects
• drafting deeds of easement and deeds of release of restrictive covenants
• drafting and negotiating infrastructure documents
• enhancing client relationships through day to day activity
• supporting junior fee earners and paralegals

Skills and experience you will have:

• a minimum of 5 years’ previous experience of real estate development experience, including running files from start to finish
• experience of drafting property documents
• ideally experienced in land acquisitions, disposals and strategic land agreements
• strong IT skills
• experience in managing or supervising others is preferable
• previous BD experience is desirable, but not a pre-requisite

Key competencies you will need:

• the motivation to take up a challenge at an exciting time
• a desire to exceed client expectations
• a high degree of initiative and the ability to cope in a demanding environment
• excellent organisational and prioritising skills
• the ability to work in a busy team
• a desire to support the growth of the team
• excellent communication skills

Due to the nature of the work undertaken, confirmation of employment will be subject to a variety of checks which will be carried out once an offer of employment is accepted. Details of the checks can be found here.

Shakespeare Martineau is a committed equal opportunities employer. We seek to attract, develop and retain talented people from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures. We value and respect individuality and encourage a culture within our business where people can be themselves and be valued for their strengths and experiences. Everyone who either applies to or works for the firm is treated equally, regardless of their gender, age, ethnic origin, nationality, marital status, sexual orientation or religious beliefs.