Associate (3-4 years PQE)

We are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic Associate (with around 3 – 4 years PQE) to join our growing and highly regarded Property Litigation team in Exeter. Our Property Litigation team is known for its practical, commercial approach and the strength of its relationships with clients. Described by the Legal 500 in 2025 as "one of the very best property litigation practices in the South West," our team acts for a diverse range of individuals, businesses, institutional landlords, investors, and developers on a broad spectrum of contentious property issues.

You will work closely with partners and senior lawyers on a variety of property-related disputes, including co‐ownership and neighbour issues (such as rights of way, adverse possession, harassment, and boundary disputes), lease and tenancy disputes, commercial rent recovery, enforcement of charges, possession claims, professional negligence claims, and claims involving rectifying historic title issues.

Alongside this, you will play an active role in the day‐to‐day management of the team supporting, mentoring, and supervising junior lawyers, trainees, and our large team of paralegals who assist with high volume tenancy management issues (including disrepair, possession, anti‐social behaviour injunctions, and long leaseholder claims). You will have regular client contact, plenty of autonomy, and the support of an experienced and collaborative group of lawyers who are passionate about developing people and delivering excellent client service.

Who you are

With at least three years post‐qualification experience in property litigation, ideally gained at a regional or national law firm, you will be comfortable managing a varied caseload independently and will bring sound technical knowledge, commercial awareness, and confidence in handling both residential and commercial contentious property matters. You will be a natural communicator who quickly builds trust and rapport with clients, colleagues, and stakeholders. Empathetic, approachable, and commercially minded, you will demonstrate a genuine commitment to client care and the ability to balance strategic thinking with practical solutions.

As someone who leads by example, you will enjoy supporting the development of junior members of the team, providing guidance and encouragement while helping to maintain a positive, collaborative working culture. Calm under pressure and methodical in your approach, you will thrive on complex challenges and take pride in achieving successful outcomes for clients.

This role offers a fantastic opportunity for an experienced associate to build their profile within a respected and ambitious team, with clear opportunities for progression and professional development.

At Ashfords, we believe in more than just doing great work - we believe in building a great place to work. When you join us, you become part of a team where everything we do is underpinned by our four core values: Be Open, Think Team, Make a Difference, and Always Grow. These values shape who we are and how we work - they guide our decisions, influence our culture, and drive the way we support our people, clients, and communities.

With a clear focus on innovation, community involvement, and supporting a healthy work‐life balance, we are committed to building an environment where our people can have a rewarding and meaningful career. Whilst we recognise that every career journey is unique, we will be ambitious for you, giving you the tools, trust, and opportunities to develop your career, your way. Our goal? To help you realise your full potential as part of a forward‐thinking team.

Our offer

We know that our people are at the heart of everything we do – and that’s why we’re committed to supporting your wellbeing, growth, and work‐life balance. Beyond our benefits package, you will be encouraged, no matter what your role or career level, to get involved in our Responsible Business programme, where you will support initiatives such as charity fundraising, environmental causes, and our employee-led diversity and inclusion groups.

What’s next? Our recruitment process typically involves two stages, which are designed not only to explore your skills and experience but also to give you a real insight into what it’s like to work at Ashfords. Throughout the process, our dedicated Talent Attraction team will be here to support you every step of the way.

We believe that building a firm with a wide range of perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences drives innovation and strengthens our teams, and we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds. To support your growth, we offer ongoing training and development opportunities to help you reach your full potential – so even if you don’t feel you match all the requirements of the job role, we’d still love to hear from you.

At Ashfords, we’re committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels respected, valued, and empowered to succeed. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process or would like to discuss anything regarding your application, please contact us at talentattraction@ashfords.co.uk.

For an informal and confidential discussion about this opportunity, please contact Toby Tompkins, Talent Attraction Manager - t.tompkins@ashfords.co.uk. Or apply now, and we will be in touch with you as soon as possible.