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

The Residential Real Estate team sits within our wider Real Estate Division. 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. We have 65+ team members across six offices, with Bristol being the most recent addition. Despite being such a large team, spread across six counties, we have a unified vision and shared culture which allows our team members to thrive and achieve their goals.

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. As the Residential Real Estate team Partner responsible for the practice in Sevenoaks, you will be an active contributor to the success of the office including establishing internal connections and being an ambassador of the Birketts’ culture.

Responsibilities will include:

• To actively develop the business through existing and new connections
• To work with and grow the existing team
• To explore new work types and opportunities for diversification
• To provide a vital interface between the team members and the management of the considerable overall team
• To be responsible for day to day management of team 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
• To instil the Birketts’ culture and brand signatures and values throughout the team
• To be the initial point of escalation for client feedback including effective first point of contact for complaints handling
• To be involved in the strategic management of the overall team and take on projects for the whole team, under the direction and leadership of the Residential Real Estate Partners
• To act for a range of clients from high end individuals to corporate entities on a diverse range of residential property matters
• To work alongside and develop relationships with high end property finders, estate agents and brokers
• To oversee and be responsible for the training of junior team members

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.

The role will suit a candidate with a following and marketplace presence to be able to actively and effectively help 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. 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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At Birketts, we recognise the evolving role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the legal profession and recruitment. We welcome innovation and understand that candidates may use AI tools to support their job applications. However, we expect all applicants to use AI responsibly and ethically. Your application should reflect your own voice, experiences, and insights. AI may assist in structuring or refining your responses, but it must not replace your personal input. Do not use AI to misrepresent your qualifications, experiences, or skills. Any form of exaggeration or fabrication may result in rejection from the process. If you have used AI tools to assist with your application, be prepared to discuss how and why you used them during the interview process. Do not submit content generated by AI tools that may include personal or sensitive data not intended for public disclosure. AI-generated content should be reviewed and edited by you to ensure accuracy, relevance, and alignment with the role and our firm’s values. We are committed to fair and inclusive recruitment practices. The use of AI should enhance, not compromise, your application. We encourage candidates to demonstrate critical thinking, commercial awareness, and a genuine interest in our firm. If you have any questions about our expectations or the use of AI in your application, please contact our Talent Acquisition Team via talent@birketts.co.uk