At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and grow client relationships in real estate, focusing on development and energy.
- Company: A top-tier international law firm with a rich history and strong Leeds presence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, innovative tech investment, and a supportive partnership culture.
- Other info: Opportunity for genuine growth in a collaborative environment.
- Why this job: Join a high-demand platform and shape the future of real estate practice.
- Qualifications: Qualified solicitor with significant experience and proven client relationship skills.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 120000 £ per year.
A leading full-service law firm with deep roots in Leeds — one of its founding offices, tracing its history back over two centuries. Today the firm operates as an international practice with over 20 offices spanning the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, and is consistently ranked among the top 20 UK law firms by revenue. It advises FTSE 100 companies, financial institutions, public sector bodies and private capital across sectors including financial services, real estate, energy, infrastructure, retail and consumer, and technology. The firm is known for a collegiate, high-performance culture, with a strong team-based approach to winning and delivering work, and significant ongoing investment in innovation and technology.
The firm's real estate practice is one of the largest in the market, operating across the UK, Europe, Asia and the GCC. Over a recent two-year period, the team advised more than 800 funders, investors, developers and agents on nearly 14,000 real estate projects. The practice offers full-service capability from a single team — spanning mainstream real estate, real estate finance, corporate structuring, tax, planning, construction, construction litigation, environment and real estate disputes. Regionally, the team is particularly noted for:
- Advising institutional and real estate investors on high-value portfolio transactions
- Infrastructure development and regeneration schemes, with strength in the living, transport and hospitality sectors
- Sector-dedicated teams in living, energy, logistics, hotels and transportation
Independent legal directories rank the practice highly, with individual partners recognised as market-leading. Investment and development work has been growing significantly, including cross-border (IPE) instructions — to the point that the team is finding it hard to keep pace with demand for high-quality delivery. The Leeds and Manchester offices work closely together, with a large amount of cross-office and national client work.
Leeds currently has a lean Partner group relative to the size of its associate base, and the firm is actively looking to rebalance this by bringing in additional Partners across several specific areas. This is a genuine growth story rather than a like-for-like replacement — successful candidates would be joining a well-resourced, high-demand platform with real room to build. The firm is open-minded on level and background, but is being deliberate about fit: what matters most is alignment with one of the specific practice needs below, and a genuine, evidenced ability to build and grow client relationships — not simply the size of an existing following. Strong key-client relationship holders are of real interest even without a large portable book, provided there's a credible track record of growing work.
Current Priority Areas:
- Development & Energy: A strong existing focus area with real momentum — the current team could readily absorb more work with the right additional support. Partners with a transactional development and/or energy background are of strong interest.
- Transactional Real Estate: Looking for a Partner-level candidate with a following in the region of £1m +, though as above, following size is only one factor — practice fit and relationship-building ability weigh heavily too.
Key responsibilities (across all tracks):
- Lead and originate work in your specialist area, drawing on a well-established platform and cross-office client base
- Develop and manage client relationships with institutional investors, developers, funders, agents and public sector bodies as relevant
- Work closely with sector-focused teams (living, logistics, energy, hospitality, transport) and other practice groups (corporate, tax, planning, construction, disputes) to deliver integrated advice
- Contribute to the strategic growth of the Leeds real estate practice, including business development, profile-raising and mentoring
- Support cross-office and cross-border matters, drawing on the firm's national and international network
Candidate profile:
- Qualified solicitor (England & Wales) with significant PQE at partner or senior associate level ready to step up
- Practice background aligned to one of the priority areas above (development & energy, or transactional RE)
- A proven, evidenced track record of building and growing client relationships — this matters as much as, or more than, an existing portable following
- Strong regional network in Leeds/Yorkshire
- Excellent business development instincts and genuine interest in building and leading within a team
- Recognition (or clear potential for recognition) in independent legal directories
What's on offer:
- A platform with genuine scale — one of the largest real estate practices in the market, with international reach
- A well-established, high-demand client base and institutional relationships to build upon
- Significant firm-wide investment in innovation and technology
- A collegiate partnership culture with strong profit-per-partner performance
- Full-service colleague support across tax, planning, construction, disputes and corporate teams
- Genuine scope to shape and grow a specific practice area, rather than stepping into an already-saturated team
Real Estate Partners - Leeds employer: Think Legal Recruitment
As a leading player in the real estate litigation sector, our Leeds office offers an exceptional work environment characterised by collaboration and support. We pride ourselves on providing our employees with ample growth opportunities, working alongside some of the most respected professionals in the industry while handling high-profile cases for prestigious clients. Join us to be part of a dynamic team that values innovation and excellence in a vibrant city known for its rich culture and professional development prospects.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Real Estate Partners - Leeds
✨Get Involved in Local Property Events
Dive into local property expos and networking events! Real estate thrives on connections, so attending these events helps us meet potential employers and industry leaders, plus it's a chance to show off your enthusiasm for the field.
✨Connect with Local Agents on Social Media
Follow and engage with local real estate agents and firms on platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn. Sharing their posts and commenting with your insights can put you on their radar and might even lead to job opportunities at companies like Think Legal Recruitment.
✨Don’t Underestimate the Power of Cold Outreach
Got your eye on a specific company like Think Legal Recruitment? Don't hesitate to send a direct message or an email expressing your interest. Personalise your approach, maybe mentioning a recent listing or project of theirs, and it could set you apart from other candidates.
✨Utilise Property Management Platforms
Check out property management platforms and job boards tailored for the real estate sector. They often have exclusive listings, especially for full-time roles. Don't forget to visit Think Legal Recruitment's careers page directly; we love seeing passionate candidates applying through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Real Estate Partners - Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Real-Estate Savvy:When crafting your CV and cover letter, make sure to highlight any relevant experience in the real estate sector. If you've done internships, assistant roles, or even relevant coursework, lay it out clearly. We want to see your familiarity with market trends, property management, or any sales experience you've got under your belt!
Quantify Your Achievements:In real estate, numbers speak volumes! When detailing your past roles, use concrete figures to demonstrate your achievements. For example, mention how many properties you sold, the percentage increase in client satisfaction, or any successful negotiations. These metrics can give your application that extra punch it needs!
Tailor Your Documents for the Job:Every application should feel personal. When applying for the Real Estate Partners - Leeds role at Think Legal Recruitment, tweak your CV to focus on aspects that are important to them. If they value client relationships, emphasise your interpersonal skills. We want to see you aligning your experiences with what they're looking for!
Keep It Professional Yet Approachable:While we want you to show off your expertise, don't forget to let your personality shine through in your cover letter. A touch of friendliness can set you apart, especially in real estate where client interaction is key. Show that you're ready not just to work with the property but also with people!
How to prepare for a job interview at Think Legal Recruitment
✨Know Your Market Trends
In real estate, it’s all about staying ahead of the curve. Make sure we brush up on the latest market trends in the area where Think Legal Recruitment operates. Being able to discuss local property values, demand, and upcoming developments will show that we’re not just interested in the job, but genuinely invested in the industry.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions during the interview. We might get asked how we’d handle different client situations or property evaluations. Preparing our responses for common real estate scenarios not only demonstrates our problem-solving skills but also shows that we can think on our feet in a client-facing role.
✨Showcase Your Connections
In full-time real estate, networking is key! Let’s think about our connections in the industry and what we can bring to Think Legal Recruitment. Whether it’s insights on prospective clients or relationships with local contractors, talking about these experiences can set us apart from other candidates.
✨Demonstrate Technical Savvy
Familiarity with different real estate software tools is a big plus. We should be ready to discuss any platforms we've used, whether it's for property management, CRM, or data analysis. Being comfortable with technology not only makes us more efficient, but also shows that we’re adaptable to the tools used at Think Legal Recruitment.
