At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a leading Agricultural Property team and advise on rural and development matters.
- Company: Freeths, a top-tier law firm with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Dynamic team with excellent career growth opportunities in a thriving sector.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in agricultural law while working with industry experts.
- Qualifications: PQE experience in agricultural law and strong commercial acumen required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
About the Freeths Agricultural Property Team - Oxford
Our specialist Agricultural Property team advises clients with interests in rural, agricultural and development matters. The team acts for some of the largest estates in the UK and are ranked in the top tier of both The Legal 500 and Chambers as nationally recognised experts. The Agricultural Property team is largely based in our Oxford office and is widely recognised as the leading and largest standalone team in the region. Comprising 2 partners, 2 directors, 1 managing associate, 4 senior associates, and 2 legal assistants, the team is a key part of the Freeths Real Estate team which is the largest department in Freeths. The national Agricultural team is headed by Iain Davis who is based in our Oxford office. Iain is ranked as a Leading Individual (Chambers & Partners, 2025) and recognised as a Recommended Lawyer and Leading Individual in The Legal 500 (2025 edition) for Agriculture and Estates. The wider Agricultural Group consists of specialist tax, trusts, agricultural litigation, environmental, planning, commercial and partnership lawyers.
About the Role
The team is in expansion mode due to client demand and are looking for a further lawyer to join them. We have two roles - one role would suit a lawyer with NQ to 2 years PQE and the second would suit a lawyer with 2 to 4 years' experience gained within a strong regional or City firm. Your experience will have synergies with the current team who act for landed estates, Oxford Colleges, farmers and landowners, advising on the whole gamut of agricultural and development work.
Examples of the team's recent work:
- Sale of a large block of agricultural land adjoining Milton Keynes for £189m, having advised on the grant of the Option which underlay the sale.
- Promotion Agreement and Collaboration Agreement for 320 acres of land to form one of the 14 Promotion Agreements covering 460 acres forming the Oxfordshire Cotswolds Garden Village - one of the first of the 14 new Garden Villages.
- Acquisition of a landed estate including 200+ acres, listed farmhouse and buildings, riparian and railway frontages and entitlements. The case involved dealing with various title and agricultural issues and was settled at a value of over £3 million.
- A £12.6 million refinance of a farm, dairy unit and farm cottages to include redemption of existing charges over 1,850 acres and four new charges over 650 acres.
Key Responsibilities
- To work to a consistently high level and provide an exemplary level of client service and care.
- Competent financial management and commercial awareness, including accurate time recording, billing, achievement of firm delivered targets and management of WIP.
- Contribute actively toward business development opportunities to ensure the retention of existing clients and expansion of business.
- Maintain up to date technical expertise at all times.
- Be accountable for personal development and continuously develop interpersonal and soft skills.
- Be competent at all times in accordance with the SRA competence standards.
- Carry out any other reasonable tasks that may be required from time to time.
Your skills and qualifications
- Have directly relevant previous experience and the correct level of post qualified experience (PQE) for the role in question.
- Strong commercial acumen and understanding of the industry and business of the client.
- A proven track record of competent financial management, ability to meet client expectations and sound case management skills.
- Good IT skills, experience, and confidence with using case management systems, electronic time recording and general Microsoft packages.
- A self-starting, friendly individual with excellent interpersonal skills.
- Consistently demonstrate and embody the firm's values.
Agricultural Property Associate or Senior Associate - Oxford employer: Job Search Place Limited
Freeths is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of Oxford, where you can thrive alongside some of the UK's leading agricultural property experts. With a strong focus on professional development, our team encourages continuous learning and growth, while also providing a supportive culture that values collaboration and client service excellence. Join us to be part of a nationally recognised team that not only handles high-profile cases but also fosters a sense of community and shared success.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Agricultural Property Associate or Senior Associate - Oxford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the agricultural property sector. Attend industry events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about reaching out to current employees at Freeths. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research Freeths and their Agricultural Property team thoroughly. Know their recent projects and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their work. This shows you’re genuinely interested and can hit the ground running.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills! Bring along examples of your previous work that relate to agricultural and development matters. Whether it’s case studies or client feedback, having tangible proof of your capabilities can really 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 seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Freeths team. Let’s get you that dream job!
We think you need these skills to ace Agricultural Property Associate or Senior Associate - Oxford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences that align with the Agricultural Property role. Highlight any relevant work you've done in rural or agricultural matters, as this will show us you're a great fit for the team.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about agricultural law and how your background makes you the perfect candidate. Be genuine and let your personality come through!
Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your capabilities. Whether it's a successful case or a project you led, we want to see how you've made an impact in your previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Job Search Place Limited
✨Know Your Agricultural Law
Brush up on the latest developments in agricultural law and property management. Familiarise yourself with key cases and legislation that are relevant to the role, especially those involving landed estates and development work. This will show your genuine interest and expertise in the field.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss specific examples from your previous roles that demonstrate your financial management skills and case management abilities. Highlight any experience you have with clients similar to those the team works with, such as farmers or landowners, to illustrate your fit for the position.
✨Demonstrate Commercial Awareness
Understand the business side of agricultural property. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to business development and client retention. Think about ways you could help expand the team's client base and bring in new opportunities.
✨Emphasise Soft Skills
The role requires excellent interpersonal skills, so be prepared to showcase your ability to communicate effectively and build relationships. Share examples of how you've worked collaboratively in teams or managed client expectations to highlight your soft skills.
