Associate - Real Estate Litigation in London

Hours: Monday to Friday, 09:00 - 17:30 (37.5 hours per week)

Location: London

Benefits:

• Annual leave starting at 25 days
• Annual bonus scheme
• Birthday privilege day and Christmas shutdown
• Holiday buy, sell and carryover scheme
• 2 charity volunteering or pro bono days
• Optional private medical insurance via BUPA
• Annual fitness allowance
• Flexible pension scheme
• ISA saving scheme and independent financial advice
• Electric or hybrid vehicle lease scheme
• Medicash
• EAP with access to counselling
• Enhanced family leave policies
• Access to confidential, expert support via Fertifa in relation to reproductive health and wellbeing
• Access to 10 days fully subsidised emergency or back-up care per year via Bright Horizons
• Life assurance
• Group income protection
• Annual travel season ticket loan
• Hybrid working and dress for your day policy
• Bespoke training and development opportunities

Role Overview:

We are currently seeking a motivated Associate Solicitor to join our Real Estate Litigation team in London supporting Janine Cheema, Partner. You will gain exposure to a wide range of property related matters including rights of light, mines and minerals, restrictive covenants and general landlord and tenant disputes.

Key Responsibilities:

• Managing own caseload of real estate disputes with supervision
• Supporting senior lawyers on complex, high-value matters
• Drafting legal documents including pleadings, witness statements, and lease notices
• Advising clients on dispute strategy, risk, and resolution options
• Handling landlord and tenant disputes, including lease renewals, forfeiture, and rent arrears
• Assisting with property-related disputes such as possession claims, easements, and boundary issues
• Preparing cases for hearings, mediations, and trials, including instructing counsel
• Engaging in settlement discussions and alternative dispute resolution (ADR)
• Maintaining strong client relationships and acting as a day-to-day contact
• Managing deadlines, court procedures, and case progression

What We’re Looking For:

• Qualified solicitor (NQ – 3 years PQE)
• Experience in real estate/property litigation
• Experience in rights of light and mines and minerals desired but not essential
• Commercially aware with a pragmatic approach to dispute resolution
• Excellent communication and client management skills
• Experience advising commercial landlord and tenant clients
• Exposure to development or asset management disputes
• Interest in business development and client engagement

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion:

Hill Dickinson is committed to providing fairness and equal opportunity for all regardless of age, gender, gender identity, ethnic origin, disability, sexual orientation, marital or transgender status, nationality, religion or belief. We understand that our power as a firm comes from empowering our people and that it is only by encouraging and enabling individuals to be themselves at work that we can truly benefit from their rich and varied strengths. Hill Dickinson is an equal opportunities employer. All applications received by the firm will be considered based on their merit alone and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals regardless of background and from all routes to qualification, with both the SRA and CILEx.

Disability Support:

We are a Disability Confident employer, which means if there is anything that we can do to make your visit easier, so you are able to perform at your best, please let us know. You can contact the HR team to request any adjustments to the application or interview process.

Pre-Employment Screening:

All successful candidates will be subject to our standard pre-employment screening, including a basic criminal record check via Disclosure and Barring Service. Any offer of employment made is conditional upon completion of all checks.