Senior Real Estate Disputes Lawyer - Manchester

Senior Real Estate Disputes Lawyer - Manchester

The Opportunity

A leading national and international law firm is looking to strengthen its Real Estate Disputes team in Manchester with the appointment of an ambitious Managing Associate. This is an opportunity to take a leading role on high-value, high-profile and often complex litigation, working closely with Partners and Legal Directors while playing a genuine part in shaping client relationships and developing junior talent.

The Team

• Part of a well-established Real Estate Disputes team sitting within a wider national Real Estate group, led by Partners across several UK offices.
• The Manchester team offers a supportive, collegiate environment, working alongside experienced Partners, Legal Directors and Associates.
• Clients include landlords, tenants, developers, investors and corporate occupiers, as well as banks and insolvency practitioners.
• A strong track record acting in high-value and complex litigation, including reported cases before the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.
• Recognised for technical excellence, commercial acumen and a strategic approach to litigation, with regular involvement in precedent-setting and cross-border matters.

The Role

• A varied and broad caseload across real estate disputes, with a particular emphasis on leading complex, high-value matters.
• Full range of landlord and tenant work, including contested and uncontested lease renewals, dilapidation claims, break notices, forfeiture and possession actions.
• High-value, high-profile litigation, including work for retailers with extensive property portfolios.
• Day-to-day ownership of matters — leading strategy, managing client relationships and driving cases forward efficiently and commercially.
• Close collaboration with Partners and Legal Directors on the most complex and business-critical mandates.
• A meaningful role in supporting and deepening relationships with key firm clients.
• Supervision, mentoring and development of junior lawyers, as a senior member of the team.
• Encouragement to contribute to business development — identifying opportunities with existing clients, supporting pitches and panel appointments, and building internal and external profile.

About You

• England & Wales-qualified Solicitor with at least 6 years' post-qualification experience in Real Estate Disputes.
• Strong technical expertise across a broad range of contentious real estate matters, with the confidence to lead on complex landlord and tenant disputes and related litigation.
• Able to manage significant matters with an appropriate level of autonomy, exercising sound legal, procedural and strategic judgement, while knowing when to escape.
• A commercial, solutions-focused approach, aligning legal advice with clients' commercial objectives and risk considerations.
• Strong client relationship management skills, including experience as a trusted day-to-day adviser.
• Excellent organisational and matter management skills, able to balance competing priorities, delegate effectively and deliver consistently high-quality work.

What's on Offer

• Significant responsibility and genuine autonomy within a supportive, stretching environment.
• Structured investment in career development, including mentoring, leadership training and international collaboration opportunities.
• A stable, high-performing and ambitious team with a strong record of internal progression.
• Exposure to high-calibre work for an impressive client base, within a firm known for technical excellence and commercial insight.