Founding Solicitor in Reading

We are establishing a new specialist property and finance law firm backed by ACIM International, a fast-growing real estate development and investment company focused on delivering high-quality supported and accessible housing across London and the South East. ACIM is on a clear trajectory to become the largest accessible housing provider in the UK within the next three years, and this new legal practice will play a central role in supporting that growth.

With a substantial pipeline of acquisitions and funding transactions already in motion, the firm will launch with significant and consistent deal flow. We are now seeking an exceptional solicitor to join as the founding lawyer of this new practice.

About the Role

As the Founding Solicitor, you will lead all legal work relating to property purchases, conveyancing, development funding, senior and mezzanine lending, and preferred equity structures. You will work directly with the founders to shape the firm’s structure, brand, compliance framework, client processes, and long-term strategy. This is a rare opportunity to influence every element of a new boutique firm backed by an ambitious and well-capitalised real estate group.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all conveyancing and property transaction work, including bungalow acquisitions, redevelopment sites, and multi-unit conversions.
• Oversee end-to-end legal processes: title review, enquiries, searches, contracts, covenants, indemnities, SDLT analysis, and Land Registry filings.
• Draft, review, and negotiate loan agreements, debentures, charges, personal guarantees, priority agreements, and intercreditor deeds.
• Act for borrowers dealing with senior lenders, mezzanine lenders, preferred equity partners, and private capital providers.
• Establish the firm’s internal systems including templates, workflows, compliance processes, and case management structure.
• Coordinate with surveyors, valuers, brokers, lenders, agents, and professional partners to progress transactions efficiently.
• Develop streamlined legal processes to shorten acquisition timelines and improve reliability across all transactions.
• Contribute to the branding, strategic positioning, and commercial development of the new firm.
• Support long-term expansion including future recruitment and team building.

Skills and Experience Required

• 5–10 years PQE as a solicitor in residential property, real estate finance, conveyancing, or development law.
• Strong experience acting for borrowers in secured lending transactions, including bridging, development and mezzanine finance.
• Proven ability to run property transactions independently from instruction to completion.
• Excellent drafting skills and strong commercial judgement.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ambition to help build a modern, scalable boutique firm.
• Highly organised, accountable, and able to work at pace.

What We Offer

• The chance to become the founding solicitor of a new boutique legal practice backed by a rapidly expanding real estate group.
• Partner-track progression, with potential equity participation for the right candidate.
• Immediate access to a guaranteed pipeline of high-value, repeat transactions through ACIM International.
• A leading role in shaping the firm’s culture, systems, and growth strategy.
• Competitive remuneration with long-term upside as the firm scales.

If you are an ambitious, commercially minded solicitor ready to play a foundational role in building a new property and finance legal practice, we would welcome a conversation. Please send your CV and a brief cover message to discuss the opportunity further.