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- Tasks: Join a dedicated team to manage high-quality transactional real estate work.
- Company: Large international law firm known for innovation and client-focused solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus scheme, flexible working, and comprehensive training.
- Other info: Opportunity for career development and collaboration in a dynamic setting.
- Why this job: Gain deep client knowledge while enjoying flexibility and a supportive team environment.
- Qualifications: Qualified solicitor with 3+ years’ experience in commercial property law.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 70000 £ per year.
Location: Leeds (flexible, office-based or primarily home-based with travel to the Leeds office at least twice per month)
Salary: £50,000 to £70,000 plus bonus (dependent on experience)
Experience: 3+ years’ PQE
If you’re a Real Estate Associate who enjoys high-quality transactional work but wants a role with more certainty and flexibility, this is a rare opportunity to join a dedicated client delivery team in Leeds. You’ll focus on one major institutional landlord client within a structured team model, building deep client knowledge while still benefiting from the support, training and resources of a full-service practice.
The Opportunity
- This role is designed for lawyers who like working at pace, following clear processes, and delivering consistently high standards.
- The working model offers genuine flexibility, including a reduced chargeable hours target and the option to be primarily home-based with regular Leeds office attendance.
The Role
- Core transactional work
- Draft and negotiate commercial leases (including new, renewal and reversionary leases)
- Draft and negotiate ancillary lettings documents (for example, licences to alter and rent deposit deeds)
- Create and maintain letting due diligence packs (including title, CPSE and property-specific documents)
- Respond to tenant due diligence enquiries and liaise with relevant professional advisers
- Deal with letting and management applications during the term of leases (for example, licences to assign, underlet and deeds of variation)
- Manage completion processes, deeds administration, collection of completion monies, and post-completion administration and billing
- Supervision and team support
- Supervise work carried out by junior lawyers and paralegals supporting lettings and management matters
- Work closely with the wider client account team to ensure consistency of approach and share best practice
- Help maintain precedents and client processes
- Client contact and matter management
- Take responsibility for your own caseload and compliance with firm policies and processes (with appropriate supervision)
- Maintain clear worklogs and status updates for each matter
- Follow client-specific administrative requirements and agreed processes
- Manage personal financials including WIP, billing and write-offs
About You
- Essential
- Qualified solicitor in England and Wales
- Ideally 3+ years’ PQE in commercial property matters
- Strong technical knowledge of commercial property law, particularly commercial leases and lettings
- Experience drafting and negotiating commercial leases
- Experience with ancillary lettings documents and letting or management applications
- Strong understanding of landlord and tenant law
- Excellent drafting and negotiation skills
- Strong organisation and ability to manage your own caseload
- Client-focused with strong communication and relationship-building skills
- Proactive, commercially minded approach to risk and problem solving
- Comfortable working as part of a wider team and following agreed processes
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy
- Desirable
- Experience acting for institutional landlords
- Experience managing high-volume, fast-paced workloads
- Experience with CPSE enquiries and due diligence processes
- Experience supervising junior lawyers and paralegals
- Experience with legal technology tools and innovative ways of working
- Experience in a dedicated client team or secondment-style environment
What’s On Offer
- Salary of £50,000 to £70,000 plus bonus (dependent on experience)
- Bonus scheme
- Reduced chargeable hours target of 1,400 hours per year
- Flexible working: office-based or primarily home-based, with travel to Leeds at least twice per month
- Additional attendance initially for training, plus occasional visits to London to meet the client
- High-quality transactional real estate work within a structured delivery model
- Opportunity to develop deep client knowledge and long-term client relationships
- Comprehensive support, training and career development
- Collaborative team environment with a focus on innovation and continuous improvement
About Our Client
Our client is a large, international, full-service law firm with a significant real estate practice and a strong focus on innovation and process-led delivery. The firm supports major organisations across multiple jurisdictions and is known for combining technical excellence with a commercial, solutions-led approach.
Location & Working Arrangements
Leeds, with flexible working arrangements. The role can be office-based or primarily home-based with travel to the Leeds office at least twice per month (to be agreed depending on experience). Additional attendance is required initially for training, and occasional visits to London may be required.
Next Steps
Apply online or send your CV to lee.hawthorne-finch@h-fts.com or call 0333 996 2882 for more information. All applications will be handled in strict confidence. Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions is committed to ethical recruitment and the highest standards of confidentiality for all applicants.
Associate - Transactional Real Estate in Leeds employer: Hawthorne-finch Talent Solutions
Contact Detail:
Hawthorne-finch Talent Solutions Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate - Transactional Real Estate in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the real estate sector, attend industry events, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the firm and its clients. Understand their values and recent projects, especially in commercial property. This will help you tailor your answers and show you’re genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! Since this role involves drafting and negotiating leases, being able to demonstrate your negotiation prowess during interviews can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Associate - Transactional Real Estate in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience mentioned in the job description. Highlight your 3+ years’ PQE in commercial property matters and any relevant transactional work you've done. We want to see how you fit into our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're excited about this role and how your background aligns with our needs. Be sure to mention your strong drafting and negotiation skills, as well as your client-focused approach.
Showcase Your Team Spirit: Since this role involves working closely with a structured team, make sure to highlight your experience in collaborative environments. Share examples of how you've supervised junior lawyers or worked as part of a wider client account team.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hawthorne-finch Talent Solutions
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of commercial property law, especially around leases and lettings. Be ready to discuss your experience with drafting and negotiating these documents, as well as any relevant case studies that showcase your skills.
✨Showcase Your Client Focus
Since this role involves working closely with a major institutional landlord client, highlight your client management skills. Prepare examples of how you've built relationships and communicated effectively with clients in the past.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
This position requires collaboration within a structured team model. Be prepared to talk about your experience supervising junior lawyers or paralegals and how you’ve contributed to a positive team environment.
✨Be Ready for Process Discussions
The firm values a clear process-driven approach, so be ready to discuss how you manage your caseload and follow established procedures. Share specific examples of how you’ve maintained compliance and organisation in your previous roles.