Real Estate/Housebuilding and Strategic Land Lawyer in Leeds

Real Estate/Housebuilding and Strategic Land Lawyer

Location: Leeds (Flexible Working)

Salary: £65,000-£95,000 + Extensive Benefits

Experience required: 4+ Years PQE

Join the UK's largest residential development legal team, working with top housebuilders, developers, and strategic land clients across the UK.

Our client, a nationally recognised law firm with 13 UK offices, is seeking an ambitious Real Estate lawyer to join their Housebuilding & Strategic Land (HSL) team. This is an exceptional opportunity to work within a team of 80+ lawyers supporting the majority of the UK's top 10 and top 20 housebuilders, housing associations, and major regeneration companies.

If you're an experienced Real Estate lawyer with 4+ years' PQE looking to work on complex residential development transactions and build a significant career in property law, this could be your perfect next move.

About the Role

As a Real Estate/Housebuilding and Strategic Land Lawyer, you'll be a key member of one of the UK's largest residential development legal teams. You'll work with a diverse client base, handling both routine and complex property transactions across various sectors.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Handling transactions for housebuilders, developers, landowners, housing associations, and local authorities
• Managing routine and complex property transactions, including:
  • Conditional and unconditional contracts
  • Options agreements
  • Golden-brick and affordable housing transactions
  • Back-to-back sales
  • Deeds of easement
  • Infrastructure agreements
  • Overage arrangements
  • Site assembly projects
  • Service charge and management agreements
• Advising on strategic land matters, including:
  • Promotion agreements
  • Hybrid agreements
  • Collaboration agreements
  • Land pooling
  • Building licences
  • Mixed-use schemes
  • Private Rental Sector (PRS) developments
  • Institutional investment transactions
  • Portfolio charging and acquisitions
• Providing expert advice on VAT and Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) issues
• Building and maintaining strong client relationships
• Developing contacts with leading residential development land agents
• Contributing to the team's growth and business development efforts
• Supporting colleagues across the HSL sector group
• Participating in the firm's extensive training and development programme

This role offers excellent variety, working with high-profile clients on complex residential development projects, with genuine autonomy and support from an experienced team.

What We're Looking For

Essential Requirements:

• Qualified Solicitor with minimum 4 years' PQE in Real Estate/Property law
• Proven track record in residential development and strategic land transactions
• Strong experience with routine property transactions
• Demonstrated competence in handling complex property matters
• Excellent understanding of VAT and SDLT issues
• Strong client relationship management skills
• Ability to work collaboratively across multiple teams
• Commercial awareness and strategic thinking
• Ambitious and client-focused approach
• Highly competent with exceptional attention to detail

Desirable:

• Experience with top 10/20 housebuilders
• Contacts with regional land development agents
• Advanced knowledge of affordable housing transactions
• Experience in mixed-use and institutional investment projects
• Track record of business development
• Additional property-related qualifications

Exceptional Benefits Package

Financial Rewards:

• Competitive salary (4-6 years PQE: £65,000-£75,000 | 7+ years PQE: £75,000-£95,000)
• Performance-related bonuses
• Enhanced pension scheme
• Life and income protection

Professional Development:

• Extensive training and development programme
• Clear career progression pathways
• Mentorship opportunities
• Support for professional qualifications
• Exposure to complex, high-value transactions

Work-Life Balance:

• Flexible working arrangements
• Hybrid working options
• Generous annual leave
• Family-friendly policies
• Wellbeing support programmes

Culture & Recognition:

• Part of a Legal Business Awards Law Firm of the Year
• Working Families Top 30 Employer
• Collaborative team culture
• Employee recognition programmes
• Commitment to "doing the right thing"

Location & Working Arrangements

Based: Leeds office
Working Pattern: Full-time
Hybrid Working: Flexible working supported
National Reach: Part of HSL sector group across 13 UK offices

About Our Client

A leading UK law firm committed to:

• 13 nationwide offices
• Over 1,000 colleagues
• Award-winning reputation
• Vision to be the best firm for residential development