Solicitor (Real Estate) - Remote in London

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 Overview About HSF Kramer Real Estate HSF Kramer UK Real Estate practice is ranked Band 1 by both Chambers and Legal 500 and has a reputation for executing the largest and most complex real estate deals with accuracy and at speed. The London Real Estate team provides advice on all aspects of general commercial property including investment, restructuring, development, acquisitions, disposals, corporate occupiers, PPP, corporate support work and real estate finance.

About Digital Real Estate Our Digital Legal Delivery Real Estate team works closely with our London Real Estate team to support our clients on the acquisition, financing and disposal of large commercial Real Estate portfolios. This includes freehold and leasehold title review; certificates on title; lease reporting and tenancy schedule verification. We also work directly with clients, including the UK's largest Real Estate investment fund, to support all their asset management needs, including drafting and negotiating agreements for lease, leases, licences and other ancillary documents.

Key clients include: abrdn (formerly Aberdeen Standard Investments), Ballymore, Blackstone, British Land, Britannia.

The Role The successful candidate will work as part of the Digital Legal Delivery Real Estate team to support the delivery of Real Estate transactions, asset management, and due diligence projects. This will involve working closely with our London Real Estate team and liaising directly with clients and counterparties. Solicitors work closely with Senior Solicitors, supporting them on fee-earning matters, including briefing and supervising Trainees and Legal Analysts.

Solicitors undertake the review, drafting and negotiations across a range of deal types, transactions and projects within Real Estate. They will also be expected from time to time, to step up and lead projects or specific work-streams on a mandate, supervised by Senior Solicitors and/or the Digital Legal Delivery Real Estate Senior Manager or Manager, who will support as necessary. Limited travel, including to the HSF London office, may be required from time to time.

Key responsibilities:

• Conducting fee earning work directly, as well as supervising Trainees, Senior Legal Analysts and Legal Analysts.
• Managing own caseload, receiving instructions from and liaising directly with clients on asset management matters, including negotiating leases and ancillary documents.
• Playing a proactive role in the delivery of projects advising on the real estate aspects of disposals, acquisitions and re-financings for Real Estate and Corporate matters.
• Delivering excellent client service and making an effective contribution to the firm’s work.
• Maintaining an up-to-date knowledge of relevant areas of law to the Digital Legal Delivery Real Estate practice.
• Working with legal technology tools appropriate to the relevant matter (e.g. artificial intelligence tools for due diligence).
• Complying with risk requirements, firm policies and all relevant professional responsibilities and legislation and contributing to billing, engagement and client acceptance processes.
• Liaising with clients and teams elsewhere in the firm as required on fee-earning matters or projects.
• Line management responsibility for Trainees, Senior Legal Analysts and Legal Analysts, as directed by the Digital Legal Delivery Real Estate senior team.
• UK travel may be required from time to time. There may be opportunity for international travel (although this is not a pre-requisite for the role).

The responsibilities outlined above cannot totally encompass or define all tasks that may be required of the post-holder. The outline of responsibilities given above may, therefore, vary from time to time without materially changing either the character or level of responsibility or grade.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• Qualified solicitor in England and Wales or Northern Ireland. Republic of Ireland or other common law jurisdictions will be considered.
• Minimum of 3 + years’ PQE, the majority of which should be core landlord and tenant real estate experience.
• Strong legal skills, including drafting, negotiation and project management skills.
• Basic people management and business development skills.
• Some understanding of key drivers for financial efficiency; and good financial discipline (time-recording, WIP management, billing etc).
• An innovative mindset, curious about AI and emerging technologies.
• Must be UK-based; must not live in Northern Ireland and must live at least 100 miles away from a HSF Kramer London office, otherwise location agnostic.

Closing Date for applications will be Wednesday 25 February at 12 noon.

Team Digital Legal Delivery 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. This is a key part of our Values—Human, Bold, and Outstanding.