Real Estate Solicitor in Leeds

gunnercooke is a Top 75 law firm recognised by over 80 industry awards. Launched in 2010, the firm has rapidly grown to over 500 lawyers across 14 global offices in the UK, US, Germany and Austria. Our breadth of expertise covers some of the most interesting and important emerging disciplines, from ESG and charity law, to blockchain and competition. Collaboration is at the forefront of our award-winning culture and is what sets our firm apart from the rest. gunnercooke operates as a fee share model meaning our professionals join as self-employed advisors, free to design and develop the practice they’ve always wanted.

Our purpose is simple; to deliver a positive impact for our clients, provide a better life for our people and to leave a better world than we found. Our charitable arm, the gunnercooke foundation, enables us to directly engage with communities on social issues and to help charitable organisations grow.

An established Real Estate Partner based in Leeds specialising in development and investment work is seeking to recruit a 5+ PQE solicitor to work closely with them as part of a growing and high-quality practice. This role is intentionally different from a traditional associate position. It is designed for a lawyer who:

• Is technically strong in real estate
• Has some client following or referrer relationships (or a desire to build them)
• Is interested in the gunnercooke model, but would value an initial period of income stability and support

You will work closely with the Partner on a wide range of real estate transactions, while gradually building your own practice with a view to becoming a self-employed Partner in your own right.

This is a flexible hybrid role, where 2 days a week will be spent in the office and the rest from home. We are offering an exciting opportunity for an experienced Real Estate Solicitor to join our fast-growing Yorkshire team, working closely with a Partner with a view to being mentored into a future fee-share opportunity.

We are offering:

• Greater income security than a typical fee-share role
• A transparent fee-sharing arrangement
• Direct exposure to quality development and investment work
• Mentorship and support in building your own client base
• A clear pathway to becoming a gunnercooke Partner

This role would particularly suit someone who:

• Is curious about fee-share, but not ready to take the full leap
• Wants to transition gradually into an independent practice
• Is entrepreneurial but values collaboration and support

The ideal candidate will ideally bring diverse experience in transactional work, including expertise in landlord and tenant matters and a small portable book of business.

This role presents an opportunity to represent a range of clients across developers, land promoters, landowners, investors, retailers, universities and local authorities including but not limited to:

• Dealing with acquisitions, disposals, and ongoing management of commercial leasehold properties, including drafting and negotiating leases, agreements for leases and ancillary leasehold documentation.
• Dealing with acquisitions and disposals of freehold properties, including dealing with conditional agreements, overage agreements and option agreements.
• Dealing with property investment transactions, including portfolio acquisitions and disposals.
• Dealing with property due diligence on real estate transactions.
• Dealing with property elements of business sales and purchases.

You will have a solid understanding of real estate law and a desire to expand their expertise within a well-regarded real estate team in Leeds.

Essential Experience:

• Qualified solicitor with a minimum of 5 years PQE in England & Wales.
• Significant experience in commercial real estate matters.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to effectively manage client expectations and deliver high-quality work under pressure and tight deadlines.
• A collaborative approach, with a willingness to work closely with team members.
• Exceptional attention to detail.
• A strong work ethic and commitment to delivering excellent service.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage a diverse caseload of real estate matters, with a focus on development and investment.
• Ensure proactive and efficient management of each case from inception to completion.
• Maintain and develop relationships with new and existing clients, as well as associated professionals, building trust, confidence and reliability.
• Act as a brand ambassador, enhancing the market reputation of the business.
• Exhibit strong communication skills, proactive problem-solving, and creative thinking.

This role offers an excellent opportunity for a Solicitor looking to springboard their career and join a progressive and flexible environment working alongside like-minded lawyers.

Working Arrangement:

This position is open to both Full-time and Part-time working arrangements, if you are seeking part-time working we are seeking a minimum of 3 days a week.