Senior Associate / Legal Director - Residential Real Estate in 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.

The team you will join

Our Residential Real Estate team sits within our wider Real Estate Division.

The team work collaboratively across the Birketts’ offices adopting a “one team” approach in everything they do, with client service at the heart of the practice.

• The work you will be doing
• Acting for a range of clients on a diverse range of residential real estate matters
• Acting on the purchase, sale and financing of routine and complex freehold/leasehold and high value properties
• Working alongside and developing relationships with local agents including high end property finders and estate agents
• Acting on mainstream residential conveyancing to support the wider practice
• Providing technical support to the local team members including overseeing and training of junior team members as the need arises
• Play a key role in the growth and development of the team
• Ensuring client needs are met with the highest standard of professionalism and efficiency
• Maintaining and growing client relationships and contributing to the strategic direction and success of the firm.
• Leading and mentoring a team of junior lawyers, fostering a collaborative and supportive work environment.
• Participating in networking events, conferences and other business development activities to promote the firm’s services
• Contribute to thought leadership and sector-focused marketing initiatives

Please note that this job profile is not an exhaustive list of duties but merely an outline of the key components of the role.

You may be required by your line manager to take on additional responsibilities when requested.

What we are looking for

Birketts has designed a 'Talent Management Framework' which provides a career structure that will help us develop, retain and reward talented people.

As a Senior Associate, we typically expect candidates to have a minimum of 6 years PQE.

As a Legal Director, we typically expect candidates to have a minimum of 8 years PQE.

• Ability to mentor junior team members and contribute to team development
• Brings legal expertise, aligns advice with clients’ commercial objectives, directs research effectively, and drafts clear, accurate complex documentation
• Manages time recording and billing effectively, prices work profitably, supports credit control, meets financial targets.
• Demonstrates strategic business development, winning new clients, driving high-profile pitches, building a strong regional profile, and identifying cross-selling opportunities across the firm
• Manages matters and client relationships to a high standard, maintaining regular contact, meeting expectations, and demonstrating deep understanding of clients’ businesses and strategic objectives
• 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
• 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
• To be competent in using Microsoft Word, Excel, time recording software, case management, Outlook and digital dictation

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.

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.

This role attracts a split of 60% office days and 40% working from home days per week.

We welcome applications from people looking for flexible, agile, and part-time roles and we are happy to explore your preferred working patterns as part of your application.

Benefits

• Long Service holiday award - 1 extra week every 10 years continuous service
• Private Healthcare with BUPA (offered after probation is passed)
• Staff Profit Share and Individual Performance Bonus Scheme
• Salary sacrifice (Pensions, Staff Profit Share)
• Life Assurance - 4 x salary / Permanent Health Insurance
• Paid CSR Day
• Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Leave
• Subsidised gym membership
• Electric car scheme
• Dress for your Day Policy
• Inclusivity and Culture

At Birketts, our culture is driven by ambition and a commitment to positively impact all the communities we serve.

We are dedicated to the success, development, and wellbeing of our colleagues, helping them achieve their goals and seize the opportunities that come with our growth.

Birketts is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Our policy is unequivocal: we do not tolerate discrimination based on age, disability, sex, race, religion or belief, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, or sexual orientation.

We pride ourselves on being an inclusive organisation that actively promotes equality of opportunity for all, valuing the right mix of talent, skills, and potential.

We welcome applications from a diverse range of candidates, and selection for roles is based solely on individual merit.

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