Planning Solicitor / Associate (Permanent) in Kent, Sevenoaks

Birketts is a full service, UK Top 50 law firm. With a heritage spanning 160 years, we have more than 700 lawyers and legal professionals and over 600 staff 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. We are defined by our Next Level Law proposition. Next Level Law is also applied to our people. RollOnFriday recently ranked us as the 6th best law firm to work at in 2026. 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 ESG strategy. Diversity plays an integral part in all that we do, with female partners comprising 45% of our partnership. Our leasehold enfranchisement practice sits within our Residential Real Estate team and comprises fee-earners from both the Residential Real Estate team and the Real Estate Disputes team. The Residential Real Estate team comprises 70+ members operating out of 6 of our 7 offices. We have a vacancy within the leasehold enfranchisement practice for a Solicitor or Legal Executive who can work across both enfranchisement and leasehold residential real estate matters. The leasehold enfranchisement practice is currently made up of two Partners, five fee earners and one assistant, working alongside a secretarial pool. Beyond the core practice, there are supporting, specialist fee-earners in our corporate and tax teams, which ensure our clients receive a seamless end-to-end enfranchisement service. You will work within the specialist area of enfranchisement and provide a supporting role to the residential property team on more complex transactional areas such as, the disposal of blocks of flats outside the right of first refusal, reviewing the grant of new leases, assisting in the sale or purchase of property with the benefit of a range of enfranchisement claims and to actively grow the enfranchisement sector. Drafting and negotiating on relevant legal documents and correspondence tailored to the client’s individual needs and requirements Working collaboratively on a cross-office and cross-team basis Participating in marketing and networking initiatives Birketts has designed a 'Talent Management Framework' which provides a career structure that will help us develop, retain and reward talented people. Completion of a recognised training contract or equivalent qualifying experience Manages time recording and billing effectively, prices work profitably, supports credit control, meets financial targets. Builds credibility and trust through strong relationships, continuous professional development, and championing positive change Proactively manages risk and compliance tasks, follows best practice, maintains practical Lexcel knowledge, and seeks feedback to drive continuous improvement To be competent in using Microsoft Word, Excel, time recording software, case management, Outlook and digital dictation Hybrid Working Birketts is a flexible business which has embraced a hybrid working model where our colleagues enjoy a mix of home and office working.