Real Estate Associate/Senior Associate - Durham - On-site FREE Parking - Hybrid Working/Flexi Hours in North East

Commercial Property Solicitor – Associate / Senior Associate (5+ PQE)

Location: Durham – Hybrid Working – On-site FREE Parking

Firm: Leading Regional Law Firm

A well‑established and growing regional law firm is looking to appoint an Associate or Senior Associate Commercial Property Solicitor (5+ PQE) to join their highly regarded Real Estate team. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced lawyer seeking greater responsibility, high‑quality work, and a genuine voice in the future direction of a thriving department.

The Opportunity

The firm has excellent junior and senior support and is now seeking an experienced lawyer to strengthen the team at mid‑senior level. This role offers the chance to step into an established caseload, take ownership of high‑quality commercial property matters, and play an instrumental role in supporting and developing more junior team members.

You will join a busy and ambitious team with a strong pipeline of work — including a significant flow of property finance and refinance work, particularly from a major banking client. With a key team member preparing for maternity leave, this is a chance to step in at a senior level and take real responsibility from day one.

The Work

You’ll handle a broad range of commercial property matters, including:

• Property finance and refinance work (experience advantageous but not essential)
• Acquisitions and disposals
• Development work for regional developers and national housebuilders
• Landlord and tenant
• General commercial property transactions
• Portfolio management

You will manage your own caseload with autonomy while providing guidance and informal supervision to junior solicitors and trainees. For those interested, there is also the opportunity to step into more formal management or leadership responsibilities.

Why This Role Stands Out

• Varied, high‑quality work including major developer clients, national housebuilders, and substantial refinance instructions from a well‑known digital bank.
• A genuinely collaborative, supportive team culture — fee‑earners work closely together, help each other out, and share success.
• A firm that encourages specialists to grow their own niches — including supporting business plans, panel appointments, and client‑development initiatives.
• Clear progression pathways: multiple current partners joined as solicitors or trainees and progressed internally.
• Strong focus on retention, wellbeing, and career development.
• A real opportunity to have input into the team’s strategic direction and be part of shaping its future.

The Ideal Candidate

• 5+ years PQE in commercial property
• Experience in property finance work is highly desirable, but a strong general commercial property background is equally valued
• Confident managing your own caseload from instruction to completion
• Comfortable supporting and working alongside junior lawyers
• Commercially aware with the ability to build strong relationships with clients
• Ambitious, collaborative, and keen to contribute to the evolution of the team

Package & Structure

• Associate / Senior Associate level
• Bonus structure
• Flexible opportunities for management responsibility (but not required)
• Excellent long‑term progression within a stable, growing team

We are looking to fill this vacancy asap, so if you wish to apply/find out more information, please call Beth Livings at QED Legal today for an informal/confidential chat!