Solicitor in Exeter

We are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic Solicitor (ideally NQ–1 PQE) to join our growing and highly regarded Property Litigation team in Exeter. As one of the firm’s fastest‑expanding departments, our Property Litigation team offers exposure to high‑quality, high‑value work from day one, and in this role you’ll work closely with Partners and senior fee‑earners across a broad range of disputes for clients including commercial developers, housebuilders, corporate occupiers, investors, lenders and local authorities.

The team’s work covers:

• Commercial landlord and tenant matters for major household names
• Building Safety Act issues
• Real property disputes (rights of way, adverse possession, harassment, boundary disputes)
• Commercial and residential service charge disputes
• Property insolvency and secured recoveries

This means you’ll develop a wide skillset quickly, with clear opportunities for progression. Joining a supportive and friendly team, you’ll be given early responsibility, direct client contact, and the chance to manage your own matters. It’s an excellent opportunity to build your career within a dynamic, ambitious firm.

Who you are

You’ll bring experience in property litigation either during your training contract or in a newly qualified role, ideally having worked on a mix of residential and commercial disputes. This foundation will help you step confidently into a varied and fast‑paced caseload. 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.

You’ll be a strong communicator who enjoys working with a broad range of clients and can build trusted, long‑lasting relationships. Empathy, good judgement and the ability to manage matters sensitively are essential. Resilient and well‑organised, you’ll be comfortable working under pressure and meeting deadlines. With a keen eye for detail and a thorough approach, you’ll be ready to take on responsibility early and committed to securing the best outcomes for clients.

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.

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 via email t.tompkins@ashfords.co.uk. Or apply now, and we will be in touch with you as soon as possible.