Solicitor/Associate

About us

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Birketts is a full service, UK Top 50 law firm. With a heritage spanning 160 years, we have more than 700 lawyers and legal professionals and over 600 staff based in Bristol, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Ipswich, London, Norwich and Sevenoaks. We advise businesses, government and public sector organisations and individuals in the UK and internationally across four principal practice groups: Real Estate, Corporate Services, Dispute Resolution and Private Client.

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We are defined by our Next Level Law proposition. We work with our clients as a proactive partner, horizon scanning and thinking ahead to the changes, challenges or opportunities that they may face.

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Next Level Law is also applied to our people. Our collegiate culture means everyone is encouraged to achieve their next level in everything they do. RollOnFriday recently ranked us as the 6th best law firm to work at in 2026.

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With our ambition to succeed, comes a strong desire to make a positive contribution to the communities we serve, and we are committed to delivering the objectives set out in our ESG strategy. Diversity plays an integral part in all that we do, with female partners comprising 45% of our partnership.

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The team you will join

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Our leasehold enfranchisement practice sits within our Residential Real Estate team and comprises fee-earners from both the Residential Real Estate team and the Real Estate Disputes team.

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The Residential Real Estate team comprises 70+ members operating out of 6 of our 7 offices. Our leasehold enfranchisement practice operates on a national basis regardless of the location of the practice members

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We have a vacancy within the leasehold enfranchisement practice for a Solicitor or Legal Executive who can work across both enfranchisement and leasehold residential real estate matters.

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The leasehold enfranchisement practice is currently made up of two Partners, five fee earners and one assistant, working alongside a secretarial pool. Together the team advise on all aspects of leasehold enfranchisement, both non-contentious and contentious.

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Beyond the core practice, there are supporting, specialist fee-earners in our corporate and tax teams, which ensure our clients receive a seamless end-to-end enfranchisement service.

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The work you will be doing

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You will work within the specialist area of enfranchisement and provide a supporting role to the residential property team on more complex transactional areas such as, the disposal of blocks of flats outside the right of first refusal, reviewing the grant of new leases, assisting in the sale or purchase of property with the benefit of a range of enfranchisement claims and to actively grow the enfranchisement sector.

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Responsibilities include:

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  Drafting and negotiating on relevant legal documents and correspondence tailored to the client’s individual needs and requirements

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  Providing support to the Partner(s) responsible for leasehold enfranchisement practice

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  Reviewing and advising on existing leases and the grant of new leases as part of the Residential Real Estate Team’s financing practice

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  Drafting, advising on and implementing participation agreements and deeds of adherence for collective enfranchisement and 1987 Act acquisitions

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  Direct communication with clients, advisers and other relevant stakeholders

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  Working collaboratively on a cross-office and cross-team basis

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  Supporting an active caseload with the aim of providing efficient and effective advice

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  Participating in marketing and networking initiatives

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Please note that this job profile is not an exhaustive list of duties but merely an outline of the key components of the role. You may be required by your line manager to take on additional responsibilities when requested.

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What we are looking for

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Birketts has designed a 'Talent Management Framework' which provides a career structure that will help us develop, retain and reward talented people. As a Solicitor, we typically expect candidates to have between 0–3 years PQE. As an Associate, we typically expect you to gave between 3-6 years PQE.

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  Completion of a recognised training contract or equivalent qualifying experience

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  Strong attention to detail to produce work documentation which is consistently of a high standard

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  Manages time recording and billing effectively, prices work profitably, supports credit control, meets financial targets.

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  Manages matters and client relationships to a high standard, maintaining regular contact, meeting expectations, and demonstrating deep understanding of clients’ businesses and strategic objectives

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  Builds credibility and trust through strong relationships, continuous professional development, and championing positive change

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  Proactively manages risk and compliance tasks, follows best practice, maintains practical Lexcel knowledge, and seeks feedback to drive continuous improvement

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  Professional integrity and a commitment to providing excellent client service

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  To be competent in using Microsoft Word, Excel, time recording software, case management, Outlook and digital dictation

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  Some experience of leasehold enfranchisement with a proven ability to meet the demands of all areas of enfranchisement matters, including the cross-over between enfranchisement and residential real estate.

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  Experience in the continuous aspects of enfranchisement is also welcomed

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?Any information provided in relation to PQE should be used for guidance only and will not be determinative in the recruitment decision. Applicants will be considered on their individual merits.

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Hybrid Working

Birketts is a flexible business which ha