Practice Area: Commercial Real Estate
PQE: 4+ years, at genuine Senior Associate / Managing Associate level
Overview
A leading international law firm is seeking a high-performing Real Estate Senior Associate to join its core London transactional practice.
This is a priority hire for the team and is aimed at an experienced execution lawyer who can immediately take responsibility for major workstreams, lead transactions, supervise junior lawyers and operate confidently with sophisticated institutional and private equity clients.
The practice handles high-value commercial real estate work across investment, development, acquisitions and disposals, with a particularly strong corporate and private equity-backed real estate element.
What You’ll Do
- Lead significant commercial real estate transactions and workstreams.
- Advise on major investment acquisitions and disposals.
- Work on complex development matters.
- Handle corporate real estate transactions involving institutional and private equity clients.
- Manage transactions day-to-day with a high degree of independence.
- Delegate work effectively to associates and trainees.
- Supervise and develop junior lawyers.
- Advise directly on complex strategic and execution issues.
- Build and maintain relationships with sophisticated real estate clients.
- Coordinate with Corporate, Finance, Planning, Construction and Real Estate Disputes specialists.
- Work on high-value and complex matters involving major investors, sponsors and developers.
- Take an increasingly visible role within the wider practice.
About You
- Ideally 4+PQE and already operating at genuine Senior Associate or Managing Associate level.
- Significant experience in high-quality transactional commercial real estate.
- Strong exposure to investment, development, acquisitions and disposals.
- Comfortable leading major workstreams independently.
- Proven ability to manage transactions day-to-day.
- Experience supervising and delegating to junior lawyers.
- Strong client-management capability.
- Able to operate confidently with sophisticated institutional and private equity clients.
- Accustomed to high deal volumes, significant transaction values and demanding client expectations.
- Excellent technical, drafting and organisational skills.
- Strong academic record.
- England & Wales qualification preferred, although lawyers qualified elsewhere may be considered where they have substantial recent UK market experience.
Candidates are likely to be strongest where they come from a leading City, Magic Circle, Silver Circle, top UK or US practice and are already operating at a comparable level. The role is less suited to someone making a significant step up in platform for the first time.
Why Apply?
- Join one of London’s leading commercial Real Estate practices.
- Take on genuine senior execution responsibility from the outset.
- Lead matters and major workstreams rather than sitting behind multiple layers of senior lawyers.
- Work with sophisticated institutional investors, private equity sponsors and major developers.
- Gain exposure to complex investment, development, acquisition and disposal work.
- Maintain elite-quality work while increasing your visibility and responsibility.
- Work within a multidisciplinary platform spanning Corporate, Finance, Planning, Construction and Real Estate Disputes.
- Supervise and develop junior lawyers.
- Build towards further progression at Counsel or partnership level.
- Approximately 1,700 billable-hour target.
- Strong option for senior real estate lawyers seeking a market-leading platform with meaningful client and transaction ownership.
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Real Estate Senior Associate employer: We are Buchanan
Join our dynamic international legal consultancy, where as a Talent Acquisition Specialist, you will have the unique opportunity to influence our growth trajectory in both London and Miami. With a culture recognised as one of the Sunday Times Best Companies to Work For for three consecutive years, we offer a collaborative environment that prioritises employee experience, clear progression opportunities, and direct exposure to senior leadership, making it an ideal place for ambitious professionals looking to make a meaningful impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Real Estate Senior Associate
✨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 We are Buchanan.
✨Don’t Underestimate the Power of Cold Outreach
Got your eye on a specific company like We are Buchanan? 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 We are Buchanan's careers page directly; we love seeing passionate candidates applying through our website!
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 Senior Associate role at We are Buchanan, 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 We are Buchanan
✨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 We are Buchanan 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 We are Buchanan. 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 We are Buchanan.
