Commercial Real Estate Associate (2-4 PQE)

About Withers

A law firm focused on people, performance, and collaboration.

For the past 130 years, we have supported some of the world’s most remarkable people and organizations at defining moments in their lives. 40% of our business comes from Europe, 40% from the US and 20% from Asia and we are one profit sharing partnership globally.

We are united in our commitment to integrity, quality and collaboration. We have a culture of high performance and deliver excellent service consistently across the firm. We provide tailored solutions built on trust and partner with our clients to achieve their goals.

Many of our clients are shaping the future and creating solutions to tackle some of the world’s most difficult problems. It makes for a fascinating and challenging practice.

Our role is to get to know each individual client, find out where they want to be, and help them to get there – whether they are building a business, buying a home or protecting and defending their interests.

To meet their unique needs we are exceptionally collaborative, working together across teams and time zones. And we are agile – focusing on strategy rather than rigid ideas and traditional hierarchy.

Join us to be part of a team that is always looking to the future. Where initiative, big ideas and bold moves are always encouraged. Where you can truly be yourself.

The Real Estate Team

The Real Estate Team is a collaborative, vibrant, and well-regarded group. The Team consists of thirteen partners and approximately 30 fee earners spread across commercial, residential, rural, real estate litigation and construction practices and has a leading reputation.  

Our clients include entrepreneurs, high net worth individuals, family offices, property companies, luxury brands, retail and hospitality owners and operators, landowners, borrowers, banks, funds, occupiers and charities. 

We act for 70% of the top 100 people in 'The Sunday Times Rich List' and we advise non-profit institutions including Great Ormond St Children's Charity and the Tate Gallery and act for 50% of the top 50 UK non-profit organisations.   In addition, we advise high-profile brands such as Soho House, MaxMara and Aston Martin Racing.  

Due to the complex nature of the work, and the international and diverse nature of the client base, the Team regularly works with other practice areas and often with the overseas offices.

The Role

The role is to work within the Commercial Group of the London Real Estate Team, and it will involve all aspects of Commercial Property work including:

• Acquisitions, disposals and lettings for developers, investors companies, retail occupiers, private individuals and family offices. 
• Complex residential, industrial, retail and mixed-use development projects.
• Promotion and option agreements relating to development land.
• Bank lending and re-financings.
• Portfolio acquisitions.
• Hotel owner and operator work.
• Landlord and tenant asset management related work.
•  Corporate property acquisitions.

Key skills and experience

• 2-4 years post qualification experience.
• Strong work ethic.
• Forward thinking.
• Solid grounding in land law/general property matters with a focus on commercial real estate.
• Ability to work as part of a cross-departmental team.
• Desire and ability to be involved in our business development initiatives.
• Strong academics and have gained the benefit of training in a well-regarded real estate department.
• Strong written and communication skills.
• Familiarity with technology e.g. excel, word, docusign.

The Essentials

• Hybrid working
• Flexible benefit package
• Competitive bonus package above 1,400 chargeable hour target

For further information, please contact Recruitment Team.

Sample key Commercial Property Clients

• Arts Council of England
• Aston Martin Racing
• Bank of Baroda
• Blenheim Estate
• British Red Cross
• Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity
• iManage EMEA
• Macmillan Cancer Relief
• Manolo Blahnik 
• Max Mara
• Moncler    
• The Royal Free Charity
• The Royal Society
• RSPB
• Soho House 
• SSAFA
• State Bank of India 
• Syracuse University
• Tate Gallery 
• Westmont
• Zonin

Information for Recruitment Agencies
Withers endeavours to recruit and fill vacancies directly. However, when we do need to engage with agencies, Withers operates a preferred supplier list and will not be accepting unsolicited applications from non-PSL agencies for this role.

Equal Opportunities Employment Statement 
It is the policy of Withers to provide equal opportunities for all employees in relation to recruitment, training and promotion.  Decisions in these areas will be made only by reference to the requirements of the job and shall not be influenced by any consideration of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race (including colour, nationality and ethnic and national origin), religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.