Real Estate Lawyer

Real Estate Lawyer | City of London A standout opportunity for an experienced Real Estate Lawyer to take on a senior, influential role within a market-leading Real Estate & Projects team at a highly regarded UK law firm. This position is ideally suited to a lawyer who wants to lead complex development work, deepen key client relationships and play a visible role in shaping a growing real estate practice, with a clear pathway towards further progression. The Firm The firm is a long-established UK practice with a strong national footprint and an excellent reputation for its work in real estate, consistently ranked by Legal 500 and Chambers UK, including Tier 1 recognition in the social housing sector. Acting for a diverse client base that includes registered providers, private developers, institutional investors and funds, the firm has experienced sustained growth in recent years and continues to invest strategically in its real estate capability. The Team Real estate development is central to the firm's business. The team comprises a significant number of specialist partners and senior lawyers advising on high-value, often complex development projects, ranging from small schemes to major multi-phase residential and mixed-use developments. The team's work is regularly featured in the legal and property press, with several transactions attracting industry awards and recognition. Lawyers are encouraged to take ownership of matters, lead client relationships and contribute to the strategic development of the practice. The Role This is a senior fee-earning role focused on site acquisition and development projects, offering a blend of technical complexity, leadership responsibility and client-facing work. You will take a lead role on transactions while working closely with partners on some of the firm's most significant matters. Key responsibilities include: - Leading on complex site acquisitions and disposals, including conditional contracts, options and overage arrangements - Negotiating and advising on development agreements, particularly with PLC housebuilders - Managing due diligence processes, including detailed title review and resolution of complex title issues - Advising on section 106 agreements, planning consents and infrastructure arrangements - Acting on plot, block and phase leases and transfers - Managing golden brick completions and post-completion matters - Advising on transactional structuring, including SDLT and VAT considerations - Supporting major projects such as joint ventures, regeneration schemes, leisure and care sector developments - Leading large-scale portfolio and multi-phase development transactions - Supervising, mentoring and developing junior solicitors and paralegals Candidate Profile You will be: - A qualified solicitor with 5-8 years' PQE in real estate - Experienced in site acquisition and development work - An excellent communicator with strong drafting and negotiation skills Experience acting for registered providers, affordable housing clients or regeneration projects would be advantageous, but is not essential. The Career Opportunity This role offers a compelling platform for an ambitious senior associate who is: - Looking to step into a leadership role within a respected real estate development practice - Keen to work closely with partners on strategically important matters - Interested in mentoring and developing junior lawyers - Seeking a clear and realistic route to further seniority and progression - Attracted by high-quality, development-led work with real sector depth BCL Legal is an equal opportunities employer.