Associate (4+ years PQE) in Bristol

We are looking for a motivated and capable dual-qualified English & Scottish Real Estate Lawyer (ideally with 4+ years PQE) to join our well-regarded team, based in either our Exeter or Bristol office. In this role, you will work closely with the wider Energy team to help develop our Real Estate Energy offering, while continuing to build your expertise in both energy-related and broader commercial development work.

You will be involved in a variety of real estate energy transactions, supporting complex and nationally significant high-value projects in both England and Scotland. The team advises developers, operators, owners, contractors and funders on site assembly, ongoing land requirements and project finance across technologies such as solar, battery storage, anaerobic digestion and energy-from-waste. You will gain exposure to the full lifecycle of renewable energy projects while also maintaining a diverse real estate practice.

Our Energy & Resource Management sector is an important and expanding area of the firm, bringing together colleagues across construction and infrastructure, planning, regulatory, commercial and corporate disciplines. We pride ourselves on developing our people. You will work on high-quality matters from the outset, with genuine responsibility and client contact, supported by senior lawyers who will help you build your skills and grow your career.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who currently handles some energy matters or has a strong interest in the sector, but also enjoys a wider range of development and real estate work.

Who you are

As an experienced, dual‑qualified real estate lawyer, ideally with experience gained at a national or city firm, you will have a proven track record of delivering high quality real estate development work, preferably with some focus on energy work. Whilst we will provide training on any specialist areas which are new to you, we expect you will have gained a broad experience of a range of commercial property and energy transactions and that you will be motivated and enthusiastic to expand your skills and knowledge, whilst working within a supportive and experienced team.

Known for being an excellent communicator with proven technical and organisational skills, you will be accustomed to working under pressure to meet challenging deadlines and will already have a firm grounding in commercial real estate practice. Our relationship with our clients is paramount. You will be able to demonstrate your ability to build strong and lasting relationships with clients and show a genuine commitment to their business needs.

Being self‑motivated and ambitious you will be keen to be an active member of our Energy and Resource Management sector and to continue learn about the energy and waste and renewables sector, possessing the drive to help us continue to grow and develop our business. In the dynamic renewables market clients will be looking to you to be up to date regarding the latest policy developments affecting the sector and you will need to demonstrate a genuine interest and enthusiasm for this topic and its wider implications for our clients.

In return, we will support you to grow your professional networks and enhance your knowledge and credibility across the sector.

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’ll be encouraged, no matter what your role or career level, to get involved in our Responsible Business programme, where you’ll support initiatives such as charity fundraising, environmental causes and our employee led diversity and inclusion groups.

You can find out more about our benefits by visiting the Reward & Wellbeing page on our website.

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.