Commercial Property Solicitor

An excellent opportunity has arisen for a Commercial Property Solicitor (3 - 5 years PQE) to join the Commercial Property department in our Grimsby office. 

Wilkin Chapman LLP is the largest law firm in Lincolnshire and East Yorkshire, providing a wide range of legal services to both businesses and individuals. The Firm achieves regularly department and individual recommendations in the UK's leading legal directories and is ranked 106 in the top 200 UK law firms by turnover.

To contribute to the achievement of the department's goals and objectives and to maximise departmental profitability. The role will involve supporting Partners and other Solicitors in providing Commercial Property legal advice to the Firm's clients including our developer/house builder clients. Handling a broad range of quality commercial property work for a variety of clients.

• Dealing with freehold and leasehold sales and purchases, with a focus on higher value, complex transactions, including portfolio sales and purchases;
• Commercial landlord and tenant work (including leases, licences to assign, underlet and alter). Focus on higher value, more complex lease work, managing more junior fee earners in respect of standard management documents, such as licences. Includes development agreements eg agreements for lease with build provisions;
• Dealing with finance and re-mortgage matters;
• Dealing with S106 planning agreements and assisting and supporting junior team members in respect of other statutory agreements (section 38 etc) for residential/commercial developments;
• Site set up work for residential development sites;
• Dealing with standard development documents including options, conditional contracts, coverage provisions and promotion agreements (with support where appropriate from Partners);
• Providing commercial property support to the Corporate & Commercial department;
• Assisting in training and supervision and mentoring of junior fee earners;
• Assisting in training initiatives where required;
• Contributing to and initiating business development events in line with the Business Services Division business plan and the house builder sector initiative;
• Working as a team with and supporting Partners and other fee earners on larger development complex commercial property matters;
• Ensuring that all matters are conducted in the client’s best interest and in accordance with the highest professional standards and applicable “quality2 standards at all times;
• Maintaining files so that they are clear and well organised and ensuring that each file is reviewed on a regular basis and by reference to the monthly matters list produced by the accounts team;
• Maintaining time recording on client matters on a daily basis;
• Regularly updating clients as to the current situation of their case;
• Dealing with routine and difficult enquiries from telephone callers and clients effectively and efficiently and ensure that all client complaints are dealt with both professionally and promptly to the complete satisfaction of the client;
• A good understanding of the obligations relating to client accounts and ensuring that the preparation and service of bills comply with the Solicitors Accounts Rules;
• Achieving the annual financial targets set by the Head of Department/Divisional Head;
• Keeping up to date with case law and applying as appropriate;
• Ensuring compliance with Law Society Training Regulations.

• Qualified solicitor with 3-5 years PQE

Successful applicants must be able to demonstrate:

• Effective communication skills, both oral and written;
• Demonstrate the ambition to succeed and commitment to business development and client relationship management;
• The ability to work independently and as part of a team;
• The ability to adopt a commercial as well as a legal approach to client issues;
• Excellent organisational skills;
• Proficiency in analytical research and drafting skills;
• Adaptability and collaborative working;
• Understanding and adoption of the Firm’s values and behaviours. 

Wilkin Chapman is an equal opportunities employer that values diversity and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religious practice or any other perceived differences.

Our Values

All that we do is shaped by our five values: Service, Teamwork, Approachability, Innovation and Commitment to achieving results. These values are the bedrock of Wilkin Chapman, they define who and what we are - they underpin everything that we do. For more information on our values, please click here.

If you have any queries regarding this position, please contact recruitment@wilkinchapman.co.uk.