At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage real estate transactions and supervise a team of paralegals in a dynamic legal environment.
- Company: Join WBD Advance, a leading alternative legal services group with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Flexible working options, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Great opportunity for career development in a supportive and growing team.
- Why this job: Make an impact in real estate law while working with innovative legal technologies.
- Qualifications: UK qualified lawyer with 3+ years in commercial real estate and supervisory experience.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Overview
We are looking for an experienced Real Estate associate to join WBD Advance, our alternative legal services group. The team has over 100 lawyers, paralegals, management information specialists and legal project managers who provide a wide range of services and solutions to clients, and it supports the wider firm on high volume workstreams, end-to-end managed services and bespoke projects. The bulk of the team are in Bristol and Plymouth, so ability to attend either of these offices at least two days per week would be preferred, with the other days working from home.
The ideal candidate will be experienced in core commercial real estate transactions and know how to deal with planning issues and reporting to lenders. They will be happy to manage a team of paralegals and take a hands-on approach to training and supervision. You will join a sub-team of WBD Advance comprising 3 lawyers 15 paralegals. The team delivers real estate projects including title reviews for government departments, post completion services for clients across the firm, including well-known retail clients, and document production and completions for high street lenders, national developers and utility providers.
What will you be doing?
We\\\'re looking for a lawyer, technically strong, and preferably with some previous experience of supervising others and/or of volume work, to undertake:
- Transactions such as licences to alter, licences to sub-let and lease renewals – acting for pension providers and government departments.
- Document production (planning and infrastructure agreements) – overseeing the initial drafting, document negotiations and completion process for S278, S38 and S104 agreements. Liaising with colleagues in our planning team on particularly complex matters.
- Document production – acting for utility service providers in relation to deeds of easements and wayleave agreements negotiated with landowners.
- Real Estate Finance related transactions – high volume redemptions, deeds of substitution, transfers of equity, re-possession and receivership sales and reporting on title.
Our existing client base spans several different sectors; with the team having a high volume of instructions in the following areas:
- Investors and Developers – dealing with high volume plot acquisitions for investor clients, post completion support, freehold reversions, certificates of compliance and deeds of variations for national house builders.
- Planning - S278 agreements for national highways authority, S103 and S38 agreement for national house builders.
- High street retail chains – post completion support with SDLT submissions and Land Registry applications.
- Charities – light touch due diligence exercises ahead of potential mergers or asset transfers.
You will work to the senior lawyer within the team and take responsibility for managing one or more of the existing workstreams. In either case, the role will include technical supervision and development of paralegal team who support the workstreams, working closely with the Legal Solutions Centre Director and Partners, and the wider firm\\\'s Real Estate team to continue to build these services. You may also work with project managers and legal technologists to onboard new workstreams or clients and embed them within our established model. Your role in WBD Advance which also has its own Real Estate Finance team and Commercial team with whom you will work closely when projects and services overlap, will also involve being an advocate for innovation and service delivery within the firm to support on the optimisation of legal work, and to assist with winning of new clients. WBD Advance is a collaborative working environment with a varied workload and a track record of sustained growth, and so is great place for someone to consolidate all the knowledge that you\\\'ve developed so far, build on your technical expertise, as well as gain experience in project management, people management and emerging legal technologies.
What are we looking for?
To be successful in this role you\\\'ll need as a minimum:
- To be a UK qualified lawyer (applications from CILEx qualified candidates welcome);
- A minimum of 3 year\\\'s qualified experience working in commercial real estate, real estate finance, planning or a similar specialism; and
- Previous experience of supervising at least 1 person, within a legal team.
Real Estate Lawyer - Alternative Legal Services in Bristol employer: Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP
WBD Advance offers a dynamic and collaborative work environment in Bristol and Plymouth, making it an excellent employer for Real Estate Lawyers seeking to advance their careers. With a strong focus on employee growth, the firm provides opportunities for technical development, project management, and innovation within the legal sector, all while supporting a healthy work-life balance through flexible working arrangements. Join a team that values your expertise and fosters a culture of teamwork and continuous improvement, ensuring you thrive in your professional journey.
Contact Details:
Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Real Estate Lawyer - Alternative Legal Services in Bristol
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the real estate sector, attend industry events, and join relevant online forums. The more people you know, the better your chances of hearing about job openings before they even hit the market.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio showcasing your previous work in commercial real estate transactions. This can include case studies or examples of successful projects you've managed. It’s a great way to demonstrate your expertise and stand out from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Get social! Use platforms like LinkedIn to connect with recruiters and hiring managers at firms like WBD Advance. Share insightful content related to real estate law to position yourself as a knowledgeable candidate who’s passionate about the field.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We make it easy for you to submit your application directly, ensuring it gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining our team at WBD Advance, which is always a plus!
We think you need these skills to ace Real Estate Lawyer - Alternative Legal Services in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences that match the Real Estate Lawyer role. Highlight your experience in commercial real estate transactions and any supervisory roles you've held, as this will show us you're a great fit for our team.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about real estate law and how your background aligns with what we’re looking for. Don’t forget to mention your ability to manage teams and handle high-volume work!
Showcase Your Teamwork Skills:Since we value collaboration, make sure to highlight any experiences where you’ve worked closely with others, especially in managing paralegals or working on complex projects. This will help us see how you can contribute to our dynamic environment.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates during the process. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of commercial real estate transactions, especially those related to planning issues and lender reporting. Familiarise yourself with the specific types of documents you'll be dealing with, like S278 agreements and deeds of easements, so you can speak confidently about them during the interview.
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
Since the role involves managing a team of paralegals, be prepared to discuss your previous supervisory experience. Think of examples where you've successfully trained or guided others, and how you approach team management. This will show that you're not just technically strong but also a great leader.
✨Demonstrate Your Collaborative Spirit
WBD Advance values collaboration, so highlight any experiences where you've worked closely with other teams or departments. Share specific instances where your teamwork led to successful project outcomes, especially in high-volume workstreams or innovative service delivery.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare some thoughtful questions about the team dynamics, ongoing projects, or the firm's approach to legal technology. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if the company culture aligns with your values. Plus, it gives you a chance to engage with your interviewers on a deeper level.
