Job Description
About us
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Birketts is a full service, UK Top 50 law firm. With a heritage spanning over 160 years, we have more than 700 lawyers and legal professionals based in Bristol, 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, dispute resolution and private client.
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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 and opportunities 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.
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With our ambition to succeed comes a strong desire to make a positive contribution to the communities we serve, and we are committed to delivering the objectives set out in our Responsible Business strategy. Birketts is a certified B Corporation™, and diversity plays an integral part in all that we do, with female partners comprising 45% of our partnership as of 1 April 2026.
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The team you will join
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Our Natural Capital team is at the forefront of the rapid and positive evolution of the business of nature. Our team helps clients to understand what Natural Capital is, guiding them through the opportunities that exist, whether their aims are to provide environmental, social, or commercial benefits (or a combination of all three). Our lawyers work with clients looking to achieve their sustainability ambitions, ensuring they have the most relevant guidance and advice .
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The team works with a genuine cross-section of all Natural Capital stakeholders including landowners, farmers, property developers, nature restoration developers, local planning authorities and third-party intermediaries such as brokers and habitat bank providers . Our lawyers work effectively with all clients to achieve their objectives [which frequently align with our own] to incorporate Natural Capital into an inter-generational, defensible and resilient businesses that they (and we) can be proud of.
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As a Natural Capital lawyer, you will sit in our Commercial & Technology team and advise on:
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(i) Environmental Unit Sale and Purchase Agreements (assisting land owners, land managers, purchasing developers and brokers in preparing, negotiating and finalising agreements in order to commercialise biodiversity net gain units, nutrient neutrality credits, carbon credits and an evolving market of other environmental service lines);
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(ii) Habitat Management Agreements (assisting land owners, land managers, developers and habitat bank providers in preparing agreements to ensure the delivery of Natural Capital projects);
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(iii) Broker and agency agreements for the commercialisation of environmental benefits;
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(iv) Landscape recovery projects; and nature restoration projects that are akin to landscape recovery projects but with private investment only.
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The work you will be doing
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We are looking to recruit a Solicitor or Associate to work with our Natural Capital experts in the Commercial & Technology team, with between 0 and 5 years of PQE, who have the drive and commitment to assist Birketts’ in the continued growth and development of our firmwide practice.
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This is an excellent opportunity for inquisitive, motivated and ambitious individuals who are self-motivated, curious and purpose-led to join a successful and friendly team of experts who are recognised as national leaders in the market.
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We perceive the Natural Capital sector as hugely exciting because it is helping to shape entirely new environmental markets at a time of significant regulatory change and significant climate change. It combines sophisticated legal problem-solving with the opportunity to deliver tangible environmental benefits, allowing practitioners to work on innovative projects that create commercial value while restoring biodiversity, addressing climate challenges and supporting more sustainable land use. The work is intellectually diverse, commercially significant and genuinely impactful, making it one of the most rewarding areas of modern legal practice, and we are looking for individuals that share our passion.
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You will be responsible for:
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- Drafting and negotiating on relevant natural capital agreements, documents, advice notes, letters and correspondence tailored to the client’s individual needs and requirements
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- Acting as a key point of contact for clients, building trusted relationships, and identifying opportunities to add value
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- Participating in marketing and networking initiatives
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- Ownership of personal financial performance, demonstrating accountability and a commercial mindset
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What we are looking for
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Birketts has designed a 'Talent Management Framework' which provides a career structure that will help us develop, retain and reward talented people. As an Associate, we typically expect candidates to have a minimum of 3 years PQE.
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- Applies strong legal and commercial judgement, researches precedents effectively, and drafts complex documents with appropriate senior guidance
- Manages time recording, billing support and workload efficiently to meet financial targets and maximise fee recovery
- Actively supports business development through events, pitches and networking, building profile and identifying opportunities via firm and client relationships
- Delivers high-quality client service with minimal supervision, providing timely, accurate advice and demonstrating strong understanding of client needs and priorities
- Consistently meets compliance requirements by completing reviews and reports on time, adhering to risk management best practices, understanding Lexcel standards, and completing all mandatory training
- Strong attention to detail to produce work documentation which is consistently of a high standard
- Professional integrity and a commitment to providing excellent client service
- Experience of using knowhow sources (such as Practical Law, FromCounsel etc) to carry out discrete research projects
- To be competent in using Microsoft Word, Excel, time recording software, case management, Outlook and digital dictation
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Any information provided in relation to PQE should be used for guidance only and will not be determinative in the recruitment decision. Applicants will be considered on their individual merits.
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Hybrid Working
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Birketts is a flexible
Solicitor/Associate in Ipswich employer: Birketts LLP
Birketts is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collegiate work culture that prioritises employee growth and development. With a strong commitment to diversity and community impact, our flexible hybrid working model allows for a balanced work-life integration, while our comprehensive benefits package ensures that our colleagues are well taken care of. Join us in a dynamic environment where your contributions are valued and you can truly achieve your next level in your career.
