Mid-level Associate, Real Estate

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer is a world-leading global law firm, where our ambition is to help you achieve your goals. Exceptional client service and the pursuit of excellence are at our core. We invest in and care about our client relationships, which is why so many are longstanding. We enjoy breaking new ground, as we have for over 170 years. As a fully integrated transatlantic and transpacific firm, we are where you need us to be. Our footprint is extensive and committed across the world’s largest markets, key financial centres and major growth hubs.

At our best tackling complexity and navigating change, we work alongside you on demanding litigation, exacting regulatory work and complex public and private market transactions. We are recognised as leading in these areas. We are immersed in the sectors and challenges that impact you. We are recognised as standing apart in energy, infrastructure and resources. And we’re focused on areas of growth that affect every business across the world. All of this is achieved by supporting the growth of our people, who help us deliver on our ambition – which is to help you achieve yours.

The Opportunity:

• Main areas covered: investment, development, disposals, mergers and acquisitions, leasing, joint ventures, large-scale regeneration, infrastructure and energy development projects, real estate financings and restructurings, pre-letting.

Key clients include: Aberdeen, Almacantar, Ballymore, Blackstone, British Land, Brookfield, Canary Wharf Group, CPPIB, Global Switch, Goldman Sachs, Cain, Hines, TfL, Nuveen.

Directory rankings include: Top band for Chambers 2026 (Real Estate: over £150m), Legal 500 2026 Real Estate Tier 1 for Investment, Development and Corporate Occupiers.

Awards include: Property Team of the Year, The British Legal Awards 2022; Real Estate Team of the Year, Legal Business Awards 2022; Real Estate Team, The Lawyer Awards 2023; Property Week Legal Team 2024; EG Law Firm of the Year 2025.

Our core real estate practice in London comprises 11 Partners, 3 Of Counsel and 42 Associates, and is led by Julian Pollock. Our award-winning international real estate practice has a reputation for executing the largest and most complex real estate deals with accuracy and at speed. We provide advice on all aspects of general commercial property including investment, restructuring, development, acquisitions, disposals, corporate occupiers, PPP, corporate support work and real estate finance. The group also has first-class standalone planning, dispute resolution and construction practices.

Primary objectives:

• To deliver technically excellent, commercial and client-centred advice on complex real estate matters.
• Build genuine and lasting client relationships by understanding our clients’ businesses, anticipating needs, communicating clearly and adding value beyond the immediate matter.
• Contribute to the growth, reputation and collective success of the Real Estate practice and the wider firm through collaboration, business development, knowledge sharing and innovation.
• Make an effective contribution to the firm’s work by aiming to meet and exceed target hours.
• Use AI, technology, and process improvements to improve the efficiency, quality and consistency of delivery.

Key responsibilities:

• Role-specific - this role will entail a broad range of transactional real estate work, including investment, restructuring, development, acquisitions, disposals, corporate support work and real estate finance.
• Manage work to support optimal utilisation; assist senior lawyers as required, acting as lead lawyer, where appropriate; delegate and provide feedback to juniors and communicate progress on tasks to supervisor and team members, consulting and offering solutions on difficult technical client issues; and manage the billing process as appropriate.
• Manage, develop and strengthen client relationships through anticipating client needs and expectations; and provide prompt responses and updates on progress.
• Support the firm and others - establish effective relationships with individuals and groups, across the global network; uphold the firm’s values; contribute to the firm’s initiatives (e.g. corporate social responsibility and diversity and inclusion activities); mentor and support juniors; raise profile by being involved with external bodies and supporting and attending marketing/industry events; and assist with internal training and preparation of legal precedents.
• Comply with risk requirements, firm policies and all relevant professional responsibilities and legislation and contribute to billing, engagement and client acceptance processes.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• Ideally 2-5 PQE in transactional real estate, however we are open to considering candidates outside of this guideline who demonstrate the required level of competency.
• Experience across real estate development, investment, acquisitions, disposals, and asset management required.
• Be admitted to practice in England & Wales or having recent transactional experience within the jurisdiction.
• Solid knowledge of chosen area of law and industry sector(s).
• Excellent technical legal skills, including sophisticated drafting, negotiation, transaction management, risk identification and concise communication of complex issues.
• Excellent academic record.
• A client-focused and collaborative approach, with evidence of building trusted relationships and contributing to business development.
• An innovative mindset, curious about AI and emerging technologies.
• A genuine passion for advancing legal delivery with technology and a willingness to be a ‘super-user’ within the real estate group.

Team Real Estate Working Pattern: Full time

Location: London

Contract type: Permanent Contract

Diversity & Inclusion: We are committed to attracting people from all backgrounds and creating a respectful and inclusive culture where everyone thrives. We see this as essential to our success, including our ability to innovate and achieve sustained high performance.