Senior / Principal Associate - Corporate - In Direct Real Estate (Birmingham / London)

The success of the team means that we are experiencing continued growth and are seeking a Senior / Principal Associate to join our team and help us deliver an exceptional client experience. In this role, you will be an integral part of dedicated client teams, building long‑term trusted relationships. You will collaborate with all partners, directors and team members; be engaged in securing and driving forward headline hitting transactions and will be encouraged to take part in business development initiatives (having the full backing and support of the sector team). A broad range of opportunities will be available to you to further your professional development.

Qualifications

• a strong foundation in corporate law and a strong technical ability (commensurate to their level of experience)
• confidence and ability to lead transactions (with hands on support from partners on more complex transactions)
• experience in indirect real estate transactions, joint ventures and funds; or an interest in developing a deeper sector knowledge
• a good knowledge of LP, LLP and JPUT structures would be highly valued but not essential (as training would be given)
• a commitment to outstanding client service and a drive to excel

Ideal Candidates

• Collaborative and team‑oriented – able to work effectively within a team, fostering a cooperative and supportive environment
• Technically proficient and detail‑focused – demonstrates strong technical skills and meticulous attention to detail
• Commercially astute – exhibits sound judgement and the ability to think on their feet, with a keen understanding of commercial implications
• Relationship builders – skilled in cultivating and maintaining relationships with colleagues, clients, and external peers
• Effective ambassadors – represents the corporate team and the wider firm with professionalism and integrity
• Eager to learn – shows a strong desire to expand their knowledge and develop their expertise

To be a key member of our corporate team helping to deliver a broad range of high‑quality corporate legal services, with a particular focus on supporting our indirect real estate and investment structures team. This is an exciting role in an expanding, dynamic team that acts on some of the largest and most complex deals in this field. It will draw upon your experience in mergers and acquisitions, private equity, joint ventures, and group restructurings whilst being embedded in the real estate sector. The role involves close collaboration with colleagues across the team and its eight partners who are there to offer hands on support and are keen to develop the next generation of partners. We are recruiting for this role in either Birmingham / London.

About the team:

As part of a national team, the Birmingham corporate team provides comprehensive corporate legal advice. The team is known for its cohesive and supportive culture, and is highly responsive and results‑driven in its approach to both clients and colleagues. Recognised as a top‑tier team by both Chambers UK and The Legal 500, it is widely regarded as the leading corporate practice outside the City of London. While the team handles a significant volume of high‑quality regional work, the majority of its transactions are for national and international clients, many of which are multi‑jurisdictional. The team has demonstrated strong sectoral and international expertise, attracting work of the highest calibre. Key sectors include real estate, advanced engineering (including aerospace and defence), health and life sciences, and technology. Internationally, the team leads the firm’s initiatives in the USA, India, Germany, and Scandinavia, with team members regularly travelling to these regions.

What We Can Offer You

• Excellent benefits, including:
• A hybrid approach to office and remote working
• Generous annual leave, with the option to buy up to a week's extra annual leave
• Free private medical insurance, and the option to add family members
• A generous pension allowance
• Life assurance covering four times your annual salary
• The chance of a three‑month sabbatical every five years
• Maternity, paternity and adoption leave schemes
• A range of health and wellbeing programmes
• State of the art offices, in the heart of Birmingham City Centre, with an onsite restaurant
• Opportunities to flourish in your role through training and personal development

Many of our people work flexibly in some way. If you would like to explore your own flexible working arrangements with us, we are happy to discuss this during the recruitment process.

Equal Opportunities

Gowling WLG is committed both to promoting equality and diversity in the firm and to equal opportunities in employment. The firm believes in equality of opportunity regardless of race or racial group (including colour, nationality, ethnicity, national origins), religion or belief, age, disability, sexual orientation, sex, gender re‑assignment and gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy, maternity and paternity. This also includes any incidents of perceptive or associative discrimination and harassment. At Gowling WLG we seek to attract and retain talented people from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures, to create an exciting and rewarding place to work. Our aim is to fulfil everyone's potential and together to achieve personal and business goals.