Solicitor - Housing (Development) in Manchester

We are looking for a Solicitor, ideally with 1-5 years’ PQE, to join our Housing Development team, based in either our Liverpool or Manchester offices. Our Housing department is nationally recognised for delivering exceptional legal services to the housing sector. With a rich history of working alongside housing associations, public authorities, charities, and not-for-profit organisations, we bring unparalleled expertise and practical insight to every client.

What sets us apart? Our reputation in social housing is matched by our strength in the private sector, including corporate, commercial, banking, finance, employment, and commercial property. We boast the largest team of dedicated housing solicitors in the North West—and one of the biggest in the country. We understand the culture and values of the sector and provide a complete, client-focused service.

The successful candidate should ideally be able to demonstrate a level of experience in the following areas, however, we will consider transferable experience in commercial real estate transactions:

• Acquisitions, including individual dwellings, Section 106 units, ‘golden brick’ agreements and land for residential development.
• Disposals – residential and commercial.
• Residential site set‑up.
• Securitisation of portfolios of residential property.
• Leases - residential and commercial.
• Infrastructure agreements.

We are looking for an individual who is well organised, and able to demonstrate a commercial approach, who is driven to deliver exceptional client service and who displays a desire to be an integral part of the team.

What we need from you:

• Ideally 1 - 5 years’ PQE experience in residential development with a particular focus on acting for housing associations on acquisitions, development, site set‑ups and securitisation. Commercial real estate experience will be considered.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely orally and in writing and to join in with client workshops, training and development.
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision (as appropriate to PQE) as well as part of a team.
• Ability to work well with clients, external consultants and internal stakeholders.
• Ability to show initiative and find solutions to problems and liaise with the client and its team in overcoming obstacles and achieving project milestones.

Benefits: Our successful candidate will have an incredible opportunity to develop a rewarding and successful career with an award-winning law firm in a flexible and agile working environment. We provide a competitive salary and benefits package, including 25 days’ holiday (increasing to 32 days through our loyalty recognition programme) plus the option to purchase an extra five days each year. We also offer a pension scheme, private medical insurance, life assurance and income protection insurance, as well as plenty of opportunities to get involved in our colleague committees to make a real impact in the local community.

About Brabners: Brabners is a purpose-led independent law firm. A certified B Corp with award-winning environmental credentials, we seek to demonstrate that business can bring about positive change by being innovative, diverse and sustainable. With over 200 years of history, we’re proudly anchored in the North but serve businesses and individuals across England and Wales. We have won awards for being innovative at the Legal 500 Northern Powerhouse Awards and diverse as Manchester Law Society’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Champions. We are also recognised as one of the 25 best large companies to work for in the UK and have won The Legal 500 Future Lawyers awards for job satisfaction, quality of work, social life and work/life balance. We have a number of colleague-led affinity groups including for LGBTQ+, REACH, physical and mental health and social mobility, as well as a sustainability, environmental and green group. It’s all part of how we make the difference.