Partner / Legal Director

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The firm
Bristol is our seventh office opening in the early Autumn so come and be part of the founding team. Since January 2021 we have had a 'hub' which has hosted our Southwest based partners but to reflect our growth in this area and the firm strategy we are now here to stay. We are establishing a full-service presence in Bristol, and this is an exciting opportunity to be part of that and help form the office as we grow.

With our ambition to succeed, comes a strong desire to make a positive contribution to the communities we live in and serve, and we are committed to delivering the objectives set out in our ESG strategy. https://www.birketts.co.uk/environmental-social-governance/

Diversity plays an integral part in all that we do, with female partners comprising 40% of our partnership. Sustainability was a key factor in determining our choice of office in Bristol.

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 with our other offices being located in in 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, litigation and private client advisory.

We are defined by our Next Level Law proposition. We work with our clients as a proactive partner, horizon scanning and thinking ahead to the changes, challenges or opportunities that they may face. Next Level Law is also applied to our people. Our collegiate culture means everyone is encouraged to achieve their next level in everything they do.
The department
We have one of the best regarded and largest dedicated real estate teams within the country, numbering over 100 specialists. Our real estate lawyers are particularly experienced in dealing with development and investment, planning, secured lending and landlord and tenant matters.

Our lawyers come from a range of backgrounds, including major City practices, other major national and regional firms, industry and local government and include individuals with construction, planning and commercial expertise. The depth and range of expertise means the team can work together in major and complex transactions on cost effective terms, providing our clients with true value for money.

The team currently comprises a number of specialist qualified real estate solicitors and Partners, making us one of the largest real estate teams in England and Wales.

We have the strength and depth of expertise to ensure we deliver the service you would expect in respect of technical quality, practical approach and timeliness of advice.

The real estate team has experience in all areas of contentious and non-contentious legal matters, representing clients from a broad range of public and private organisations as well as individuals and senior executives and we are proud to act for sector leading clients nationwide and some of England and Wales' most important businesses and institutions.
Accountabilities
Our team has extensive combined experience and the ideal candidate will possess experience in the following areas:

• Conditional and unconditional acquisitions and disposals
• Portfolio acquisitions, disposals and management
• Secured lending transactions for lenders and borrowers
• Acting for landlords and tenants across multiple sectors in relation to:

- Leases

- Surrenders

- Conditional and unconditional agreements for lease

- Management matters such as licences to assign, alter etc

• Supporting the firm's corporate team with the real estate aspects of their share and asset sales and purchases

The candidate
To join our real estate team we are seeking a candidate who is at Partner level with ideally 10+ years' PQE experience gained within a well-regarded city, regional or national firm with a well-developed knowledge in all areas of real estate law.

The successful candidate will have an excellent knowledge of the law yet be able to think commercially and analytically so as to provide accurate and practical advice to company clients and high net worth individuals which is tailored to their needs, with an ability to think clearly under pressure. You will also be expected to play an active role in marketing and practice development as well as providing a high level of service to existing clients.
Qualifications/Experience

• 10 years'+ PQE gained within a strong regional, national or City firm
• Commercial landlord and tenant work knowledge
• Experience of acting for both banks and borrowers in secured lending matters
• Knowledge of providing real estate support as part of corporate transactions
• Strong academic background
• A high attention to detail to produce work/ documentation which is consistently of a high standard
• To have a flexible approach to work to ensure client deadlines are always met and clients are communicated with on a consistent and regular basis.
• Interest in and aptitude for business development

Equal opportunities
We are committed to recruiting individuals on merits of suitability for each role, on the basis of qualifications and experience. All applications are treated fairly and equally regardless of sexual orientation, race, disability, religious beliefs and any other protected characteristic, ensuring that there are equal opportunities at all stages of the recruitment process.

Benefits

One of the best things about joining Birketts is our rewards package. At Birketts we are appreciative of the people who work for us and our rewards package is reviewed regularly to reflect that. A competitive salary and benefits package is given but you can also expect a great team and supportive colleagues, a strong focus on diversity, inclusion and equal opportunities, a programme of wellbeing and mental health support and structured career development and study support.

https://www.birketts.co.uk/working-for-birketts/

Highlighting:

• 30 days holiday (FTE) plus Bank Holidays
• Long Service holiday award - 1 extra week every 10 years continuous service
• Private Healthcare with BUPA (offered after probation is passed)
• Scottish Widows Pension Scheme (5% employer / 5% Employee)
• Staff Profit Share / Salary sacrifice (Pensions, Staff Profit Share)
• Life Assurance - 4 x salary / Permanent Health Insurance
• Paid ESG day (Environmental, Social and Governance)
• Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Leave
• Subsidised gym membership
• Electric car scheme
• Agile Working Policy
• Dress for your Day Policy

Partner benefits discussed at interview stage.

Birketts is a flexible business which has embraced a hybrid working model where our colleagues enjoy a mix of home and office working. 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.