Senior Associate - Development in London

We have an exciting new role. About Us Cripps is a recognised benchmark for excellence in the development sector, known for our expertise in advising on complex commercial and residential development projects, including large-scale mixed-use schemes and regeneration initiatives. We pride ourselves on making a difference to our clients by providing empathetic client care and commercially minded legal advice. Our lawyers are passionate about seamless project delivery and working collaboratively to achieve exceptional outcomes.

About the Role Our highly regarded, 150-strong real estate team is seeking a talented and motivated Development Lawyer at the Senior Associate level for our Horsham office. This is an exceptional opportunity to handle high-profile residential and commercial development matters and work closely with developers, landowners, institutional investors, and landed estates. You will manage your own caseload and be supported by other members of our real estate team from other disciplines, including planning, construction, corporate, and property finance lawyers, offering a truly holistic client service.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage your own caseload of high-profile residential and/or commercial development work.
• Advise on all aspects of the development lifecycle, including options, promotion agreements, land sales, acquisitions, site assembly, and structuring joint ventures.
• Collaborate closely with internal specialists across planning, construction, corporate, and property finance teams.
• Provide commercially minded and practical legal advice to a diverse client base, including national housebuilders, land promoters, and RPs.
• Actively participate in business development initiatives and promote your personal brand.
• Engage with legal technology to streamline processes and enhance client service delivery.

What You'll Need

• Proven experience running your own case files in residential and/or commercial development law.
• Expertise in development work, including options, promotions, land sales, and acquisitions.
• A passion for delivering empathic client care and commercially astute legal advice.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and case management skills.
• An interest in business development and legal technology.

Desirable (Nice to have)

• Experience advising major clients such as national housebuilders, institutional investors, or landed estates.

You’ll spend at least 60% of your working week in the office, though we know there is no one-size-fits-all and arrangements may vary from role to role. Our strong culture is founded on working together in the office, which we aim to maintain through our people being regularly co-located, working cohesively and in collaboration with one another.

At Cripps, our purpose is to make a positive and lasting difference. It’s why we do what we do. In 2024, we became a certified B Corporation to make a legal and very public commitment that we mean what we say. As one of only a handful of UK B Corp law firms, we are held accountable to our social and environmental promises. We are transparent on what we are doing well and where we are falling short. We are excited about the opportunities this affords us to continually improve as a responsible, sustainable, and inclusive business. Come and join us to help solve real world problems, champion big ambitions, and make a personal impact on our people, our clients, our planet, and our communities.