Senior Associate - Residential Real Estate in Suffolk

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 Residential Real Estate team at Birketts is one of the largest and most diverse practices in the UK which is both award-winning and recognised at the highest level of its profession. The team works collaboratively across the Birketts’ offices adopting a “one team” approach in everything they do, with client service at the heart of the practice. The Ipswich team currently comprises five fee earners and five assistants working alongside team-wide support pools (file opening and completions).

You will provide fee earning support for a rapidly growing sector with a focus on technical excellence and business development. Responsibilities will include:

• Acting for a range of clients from high net worth individuals to corporate entities 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
• Being actively involved with developing and implementing the team business development plan
• 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 network events, conferences and other business development activities to promote the firm’s services

What we are looking for:

• Solicitor, Legal Executive (with practicing rights) or Licensed Conveyancer with at least six years' PQE gained at a strong regional or City firm
• Experience of all aspects of work as outlined in this profile is required
• A proven ability to meet the demands of high value residential real estate matters
• An ability to actively market within this specialist sector and to focus on growing new relationships
• Contribute to thought leadership and sector-focused marketing initiatives
• Ability to mentor junior team members and contribute to team development
• Established client base or network (preferred but not essential)
• Experience building credibility and trust through effective relationships
• To be competent in using Microsoft Word, Excel, time recording software, 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. This role attracts a split of 60% office days and 40% working from home days per week.

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.