Real Estate Associate

Lewis Silkin; Greater London; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 55,000

Job description

Successful businesses rely on a unique set of ideas and people. We help our clients protect and develop those vital assets, unlocking possibilities for future success.

From iconic brands and leading multinationals to pioneering start-ups, we are proud to work with a huge range of inspiring clients, helping them to turn their ideas into reality and get the best from - and for - their people.

Our people are not only exceptional at what they do, they also enjoy doing it and consistently give their best to a firm they’re proud to be part of. This stems from our firm culture and our ethos of bravery and kindness. That ethos runs through everything we do, from our approach to recruitment, business practices, and DEI activities to the day-to-day environment in our office and our relationships with clients.

With an internationally minded team of more than 700 working across key areas of law – plus strategic partnerships around the world – we’ve got both the combination and calibre of legal experts it takes to enable our clients’ businesses to thrive. Whether it is providing global employment law advice, managing a global IP portfolio, managing a real estate portfolio or piecing together a multijurisdictional corporate transaction, we are able to have the right people, in the right place, at the right time.

The department

Our Real Estate group combines real depth of knowledge with breadth of scope and capability. We cover all aspects of the property life cycle from planning, construction and development through to acquisitions, disposals and property/land asset management. We also advise on any related litigation issues.

We have a particular focus on corporate real estate, acting for landlords or tenants, dealing with development projects for major corporates, large headquarter moves, management of investment portfolios for landlords and property finance, with our work ranging from transactional support to providing specialist advice covering planning, construction, dispute resolution and tax.

Regardless of their business type or sector, our clients come back to us time and again, demonstrating the trust they place in us to help them to address their property-related challenges.

Our experts advise on the full range of real estate services:

• Commercial property – commercial office and high-value residential real estate transactions e.g. site assembly, acquisitions, disposals, development agreements, property management contracts, licences/wayleaves and financings/re-financings.
• Asset management – managing property portfolios (in particular assisting corporate occupiers): acquisitions, disposals, HQ moves, property development/refurbishment and fit-out, lease renewals, lease terminations/exits and specialist Landlord and Tenant issues.
• Development work – one-off projects (e.g. HQs/ offices or warehousing/logistics), hotel and leisure developments.
• Planning – Excellent contacts with the planning bar, specialist surveying consultancies, complex applications, challenges/appeals, judicial review, CPO etc. and for complex environmental matters.
• Construction – all types of construction matters/projects (from office fitouts to major development projects) and construction law: procurement methodology, contract drafting, consultants’ appointments and warranties and insolvency – both contentious and non-contentious.
• Real estate litigation – L&T (commercial and residential), neighbour/development disputes, property insolvency/finance.

About the role

We have developed detailed career benchmarks which set out what you will be expected to achieve at each level of your professional development:

• Providing technical legal expertise: you will continually seek to build on your current knowledge and proactively look to improve your advising skills.
• Delivering excellent service: you will analyse legal information to solve problems and formulate arguments or strategy relevant to your clients’ needs. You’ll also use your initiative to proactively manage work, and provide regular and appropriate updates to your stakeholders.
• Building relationships: you will proactively develop positive working relationships with colleagues, ensuring that you work collaboratively and that you treat all colleagues with respect and professionalism.
• Developing our business: you will have an awareness of the firm’s goals and clients, and have an appropriate level of involvement in building and maintaining relationships with key clients and prospects.

Responsibilities

The likely areas of work in the role would include:

• Acquisitions and disposals of leasehold and freehold properties;
• Landlord and tenant (primarily commercial but including some residential);
• Asset management – licences, wayleave agreements etc;
• Property aspects of corporate acquisition and disposals;
• Preparation of reports on title and certificates of title; and
• Carrying out due diligence in the satisfaction of bank’s requirements in connection with charging properties.

There will also be opportunity to assist or become involved in:

• Advising landlords or tenants in relation to complex pre-lets with significant landlord and tenant works;
• Portfolio sales and purchases;
• Acting for overseas investors on the acquisition of investment property; and
• Advising occupiers in relation to major development and refurbishment of property.

About you

Our ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate:

• 1 to 2 years’ post-qualification experience in a Real Estate team.
• Excellent drafting, analytical and communication skills as well as strong attention to detail.
• A keen interest in developing your marketing and business development skills.
• Experience of acting for tenants in relation to office moves is preferred.
• Comfortable with taking responsibility for work output and dealing directly with clients.
• A team player who is keen to support others to learn and who is keen to learn and develop their own skills.

Additional information

At Lewis Silkin our ethos is simple. We strive to do the best for our clients, our people and the communities in which we operate. We recognise that an inclusive workplace allows for all kinds of ideas and thoughts, a variety of points of view that can trigger discussions or deliver innovative results, and a wide range of versatile skills and expertise. We are proud of the diversity within Lewis Silkin and of our culture that allows people to be themselves at work, ensuring we provide the best possible service to our clients. We are committed to supporting candidates throughout the recruitment process by supporting anyone who requires adjustments, in order to ensure they have the opportunity to perform at their best. All applicants will be considered equally and fairly. If you’d like to request any adjustments throughout the recruitment process, or would like to discuss flexible working patterns, please email the recruitment team in confidence ([e-mail]).