We’re Hiring: Partner

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. We work with our clients as a proactive partner, horizon scanning and thinking ahead to the changes, challenges or opportunities that they may face.

The team you will join:

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 has 70+ members operating out of 6 of our 7 offices. Our leasehold enfranchisement practice operates on a national basis regardless of the location of its practice members. We are seeking a Partner who can work across both enfranchisement and technical 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. Together the team advise on all aspects of leasehold enfranchisement, both non-contentious and contentious. 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. This role can be based from any of our offices: Bristol, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Ipswich, London, Norwich, Sevenoaks.

The work you will be doing:

• You will be responsible for growing an existing team with a focus on technical excellence, outstanding client service and business development.
• You will be an active contributor to the core management group within the Residential Real Estate team across all offices which is responsible for team strategy and the employee experience.
• Responsibilities will include:

• Actively developing the business through existing and new connections.
• Acting for a range of clients from high end individuals to social landlords on all aspects of leasehold enfranchisement including 1993 Act, 1987 Act and 1967 Act matters.
• Keeping informed regarding legislative changes, including commonhold proposals, and to provide training and thought leadership across all enfranchisement work types.
• Working alongside and developing relationships with high end property finders, estate agents and brokers.
• Overseeing and being responsible for the training of all practice members.
• Developing and implementing the enfranchisement precedent bank including ensuring that best practice and risk management are adopted throughout the work type precedents.
• Providing a vital interface between the practice members and the management of the overall enfranchisement practice.
• Being responsible for day to day management of practice members at all levels including recruitment, performance management, managing staff absences and holidays, technical matters that arise on a daily basis, overall team financial and compliance management and motivating the team to perform to the highest standards.
• Being involved in the strategic management of the wider Residential Real Estate practice.
• Providing strategic advice to clients and team members on structuring freehold transfers, the grant of leases, lease extension projects and other matters to avoid the application of the 1987 Act and to identify where a project may not be tax efficient.
• Setting up volume lease extension projects and thereafter supervising the implementation of such projects.

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:

• The role requires a candidate with a strong following and marketplace presence to be able to actively and effectively grow the practice.
• Recognised technical expert who provides clear, tailored advice on complex legal and commercial issues.
• Drives efficient time recording, profitable pricing, strong cash flow, and team gross profit delivery.
• Leads business development and high-profile pitches, builds a strong market presence, wins new clients, and drives cross-selling opportunities.
• Delivers exceptional project and client management, consistently meeting expectations through strong communication and deep client understanding.
• Builds trust through strong relationships, continual professional development, clear communication of vision, and championing positive change.
• Demonstrates strong risk management, supports junior staff, upholds Lexcel standards, and maintains high compliance and file review performance.
• 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.

As a Birketts colleague, you will be eligible to receive a wide range of benefits.