Senior Associate / Legal Director

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 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.

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.

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 5th best law firm to work at in 2024.

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 40% of our partnership.

We have one of the best regarded and largest dedicated property teams within the country, numbering over 100 specialists.  Within this, the utilities sub team is a growing and dynamic part of the practice, advising on complex infrastructure, energy and utilities related property matters and volume conveyancing for the networks including electricity gas fibre water heat and EV Charge point operators.

We act for a wide range of clients including statutory undertakers, energy providers, water companies, and landowners.  Our work spans acquisitions and disposals, easements and wayleaves, infrastructure agreements, and strategic land projects.

The team currently comprises 19 at varying levels of qualification making us one of the largest Utilities teams in England.  We act for 11 of the 22 registered IDNO’s in the country.  We have the strength and depth of expertise to ensure we deliver the service you would expect in respect of technical quality, practical approach and timeliness of advice.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a nationally recognised team with a strong pipeline of work and a collaborative, forward-thinking culture.

The ideal candidate will have experience in:

• Leading a busy diverse team at varying levels of experience and ability.
• Advising on land rights for utilities infrastructure, including leases, easements, wayleaves, and licences
• Acting on acquisitions and disposals
• Supporting Commercial Real Estate Teams on land assembly for major infrastructure projects
• Drafting and negotiating infrastructure agreements and development-related documents and network agreements
• Leading client relationships and contributing to business development initiatives in the sector
• Working with the Energy and Infrastructure Sector group 

We are seeking a solicitor with 6+ years’ PQE and a strong background in residential or commercial property, ideally with experience or a demonstrable interest in the utilities, infrastructure, or energy sectors.

You will be commercially astute, technically excellent, and confident in managing complex transactions and an enthusiastic team.  Experience supervising junior lawyers and team leadership is essential at this level.

You will also be expected to:

• Play a key role in the growth and development of the Utilities team
• Build and maintain strong client relationships
• Contribute to thought leadership and sector-focused marketing initiatives

Birketts has designed a 'Talent Management Framework' which provides a career structure that will help us develop, retain and reward talented people. Promotion is based on assessment of your performance, competency and achievements. Our Talent Management Framework will see you joining as a Senior Associate at 6+ years’ PQE, with the opportunity to be promoted to Legal Director / Partner over 10 years PQE, or equally (depending on experience) we will consider Legal Directors or Partners for this role.

This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious property lawyer to join a successful team in a growing firm which enjoys an excellent reputation and can offer good career prospects.

The information provided in relation to PQE is provided for guidance only and will not be determinative in the recruitment decision. Any applicant with more or less PQE than that mentioned in the vacancy details will be considered on their individual merits.  

At Birketts, our culture is driven by ambition and a commitment to positively impact all the communities we serve. We are dedicated to the success, development, and wellbeing of our colleagues, helping them achieve their goals and seize the opportunities that come with our growth. Alongside a flexible and inclusive work environment, we offer the following core benefits:

• 30 days holiday (FTE) plus Bank Holidays 
• Long Service holiday award – 1 extra week every 10 years continuous service
• Private Healthcare with BUPA (offered after probation is passed)
• Scottish Widows Pension Scheme (5% employer / 5% Employee)
• Staff Profit Share and Individual Performance Bonus Scheme 
• Salary sacrifice (Pensions, Staff Profit Share)
• Life Assurance - 4 x salary / Permanent Health Insurance
• Paid CSR Day
• Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Leave
• Subsidised gym membership
• Electric car scheme
• Agile/Hybrid Working Policy
• Dress for your Day Policy

https://www.birketts.co.uk/recognition-reward-benefits/

Birketts is a flexible business which has embraced a hybrid working model where our colleagues enjoy a mix of home and office working. We welcome applications from people looking for flexible, agile, and part-time roles and we are happy to explore your preferred working patterns as part of your application. 

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.

Birketts is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our policy is unequivocal: we do not tolerate discrimination based on age, disability, sex, race, religion or belief, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, or sexual orientation.

We pride ourselves on being an inclusive organisation that actively promotes equality of opportunity for all, valuing the right mix of talent, skills, and potential. We welcome applications from a diverse range of candidates, and selection for roles is based solely on individual merit.