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- Tasks: Provide expert legal advice on land and development transactions while managing your own caseload.
- Company: Join Holmes & Hills, a leading regional law firm with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, bonus structure, 28 days leave, and a modern working environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in property development and build lasting client relationships.
- Qualifications: Qualified solicitor with 7+ years of experience in property development.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team recognised for excellence in legal services.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We are currently recruiting for a Land and Development Property Solicitor, based in our A12 Commercial Hub, to support the strategic growth of Holmes & Hills’ Commercial Property service offering alongside and in partnership with the firm’s existing Legal 500 Commercial Property team. You will have a proven track record in delivering expert legal advice and high service levels to clients, whilst working independently on your own caseload of high‑level transactions. You will deal with a varied caseload delivering strategic advice on setting up sites for sale, option agreements, conditional contracts, promotion agreements, selling and buying development sites, including dealing with deferred consideration and overage.
A typical caseload would include:
- Acting for a landowner entering into a joint venture with a developer for eco houses (value circa £3 million).
- Acting for a purchaser of a commercial plot and build‑contact (built value £8.5 million).
- Acting for a developer in connection with purchasing a site for development (60 units).
- Acting for a landowner in connection with an option with a large developer (minimum £3.5 million), including variation of the current option agreement and a new agreement with a neighbour regarding access.
- Acting for landlords in connection with a promotion agreement (Deed of Variation number 3, minimum value £3.6 million).
- Acting for landowners in restructuring, including planning team diversion of a bridleway and obtaining planning permission before proceeding with sale to a developer.
- Acting for a landowner part of a consortium of seven in a new town project in South Essex, with the largest landowner entering into an option with a promoter and adding additional land (minimum original value £150 million).
- Acting for a promoter and developer purchasing approximately 100 units every year.
- Current matters involving site advice, promotion agreement, and freehold purchase.
What Experience Do I Need? You must be a qualified solicitor (7 years+ PQE) and able to demonstrate solid experience in property development acting for landowners and/or developers in a variety of development‑led transactions.
What Skills Should I Have?
- Strong communication skills.
- Pro‑active thinker.
- Great marketing and networking skills.
- Self‑motivated and organised, with the ability to prioritise and manage your own workload.
- Ability to work effectively and efficiently under pressure.
- Ability to communicate effectively with individuals at all levels.
- Ability to impart key information in a manner that is easily understood.
- Willingness to work collaboratively with other departments in the firm.
- Ability to network with industry professionals and intermediaries.
What Are We Offering? A competitive salary, with a bonus structure and additional benefits including 28 days annual leave, and a modern, agile working environment.
About Us Holmes & Hills Solicitors is a large regional firm of solicitors with seven offices across Essex and Suffolk and over 200 legal professionals across a number of specialist departments. We work in partnership with clients across East Anglia, including businesses, individuals, families and local authorities, to build long‑standing relationships, protect clients’ interests and support their growth and development. Our large team of legal experts works in partnership with individuals and organisations to provide truly proactive legal services through personal relationships. Acting as a trusted advisor, we understand clients’ needs and objectives before delivering practical advice through a personal and accessible approach. Holmes & Hills Solicitors is independently recognised by The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners as a leading supplier of legal services in the region, giving our clients confidence in the quality of the advice and representation we provide.
Senior Associate – Land & Development Solicitor employer: Holmes & Hills Solicitors
Contact Detail:
Holmes & Hills Solicitors Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Associate – Land & Development Solicitor
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry professionals, attend events, and join relevant groups. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! Prepare a portfolio showcasing your past projects and successes in property development. This will help you stand out during interviews and demonstrate your value to potential employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your answers and boost your confidence. The more prepared you are, the more likely you are to impress during the real deal.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We make it easy for you to find and apply for roles that suit your skills. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining our team at Holmes & Hills.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Associate – Land & Development Solicitor
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Associate role. Highlight your experience in property development and any relevant transactions you've handled. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for our team at Holmes & Hills. Share specific examples of your past work that relate to the role, and don’t forget to show your enthusiasm for joining us.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Strong communication is key in this role. In your application, demonstrate how you've effectively communicated complex legal concepts in the past. We love seeing candidates who can break down information clearly and concisely!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our firm there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Holmes & Hills Solicitors
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of property development law and the specific types of transactions mentioned in the job description. Be ready to discuss your past experiences with joint ventures, option agreements, and promotion agreements, as these will likely come up during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since strong communication is key for this role, prepare examples that demonstrate how you've effectively communicated complex legal concepts to clients or colleagues. Think about times when your clear communication made a difference in a transaction or client relationship.
✨Be Pro-Active and Organised
Highlight your ability to manage a varied caseload and prioritise tasks. You might want to share specific strategies you use to stay organised, especially when working under pressure. This will show that you can handle the demands of the role.
✨Network Like a Pro
Since networking is part of the job, think of ways you've successfully built relationships in the industry. Be prepared to discuss how you can leverage these connections to benefit the firm and its clients, showing that you're not just a great solicitor but also a valuable asset for business development.
