Associate / Senior Associate

Birketts is an ambitious and diverse top 50 UK law firm based in Cambridge, Chelmsford, Ipswich, Norwich and London.  The firm provides a broad range of legal services to national and international organisations and institutions, small and medium sized businesses and private individuals. Multi award winning and one of the fastest growing full service firms, Birketts has a clear vision and strategy to establish a national presence beyond its East Anglian heartland. The firm has a total headcount of close to 900 including over 100 Partners.

With a rich heritage spanning over 150 years we’ve built an enviable track record advising businesses, institutions and individuals in the UK and internationally.
Throughout our history our ethos has remained simple: we provide clear legal advice and value and insight to our clients. We set out to truly understand our clients’ needs and help realise their ambitions.

We believe that through this approach and a combination of technical excellence and high quality service we can develop long-lasting partnerships and become our clients' solicitor of choice.

The Property Litigation team sits within the Litigation deparment.

With sub-teams in 4 of our 5 ofices (Chelmsford, Ipswich, Norwich and Cambridge), the Property Litigaiton team is the largest in the region, consisting of 3 partners and 15 fee-eaners.

The Chelmsford Property Litigation team currently consists of one Legal Director, an Associate Solicitor and one trainee, and a secretary.   An NQ will join the team in March.

As a team, we have significant experience in contentious matters concerning:

• Commercial and residential landlord and tenant;
• Strategic and development land;
• Rights to lights;
• Leasehold Enfranchisement;
• Telecoms;
• TOLTA;
• Mortgage repossession;
• Property related insolvency;
• Restrictive covevants;
• Private rights of way;
• Property related professional negligence; and
• Surplus property.

Advising on a wide range of contentious property matters including (but not limited to) those arising in relation to:

• Commercial and residential landlord and tenant (including 1954 Act renewals, break options, dilapidations, section 21 notices, forfeiture, possession proceeding, rent arrears recovery);
• Strategic land transactions;
• Adverse possession;
• Private rights of way;
• Restrictive covenants;
• Mortgage Repossession;
• Property related insolvency;
• Leasehold enfranchisement (desirable but not necessary).

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a dynamic market leading team dealing with exceptionally high quality work.

Responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• Running and managing files and delegating to and supervising trainees, junior lawyers and paralegals as appropriate.
• Interacting directly with clients and managing their expectations.
• Business Development
• Ability to draft complex documentation, including pleasdings, instructions to Counsel and settlement agreements.
• Advocacy experience (desireable but not necessary)

We are looking for a Senior Associate to join the newly established team in our Chelmsford office to support the head of team, cover a broad range of work, supervise and develop junior team members (as appropriate) and to contribute more widely to the team and its growthon a firm wide basis.

• A Solicitor of 5+ years PQE gained within a strong regional or City firm.
• Strong academic background.
• A high attention to detail to produce work/ documentation which is consistently of a high standard.
• A flexible approach to work to ensure client deadlines are always met and clients are communicated with on a consistent and regular basis.
• Interest in and aptitude for business development.
• Advocacy.

• Strong analytical, administrative and organisational skill.
• A high level of attention to detail.
• Initiative, enthusiasm and creative flair.
• Effective communicator.
• Good relationship building skills
• Ability to multi-task, work well under pressure and to tight deadlines. 

We are committed to recruiting individuals on merits of suitability for each role, on the basis of qualifications and experience. All applications are treated fairly and equally regardless of sexual orientation, race, disability, religious beliefs and any other protected characteristic, ensuring that there are equal opportunities at all stages of the recruitment process.

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.

Benefits

One of the best things about joining Birketts is our rewards package. At Birketts we’re appreciative of the people who work for us and our rewards package is reviewed regularly to reflect that. You can expect to receive:

• 25 days holiday (FTE) plus Bank Holidays
• Long Service holiday award – 1 extra week every 10 years continuous service
• Agile Working Policy
• Scottish Widows Pension Scheme 
• Staff Profit Share / Salary sacrifice (Pensions, Staff Profit Share)
• Paid CSR day 
• Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Leave
• Subsidised gym membership (Gym Flex)
• Electric vehicle scheme
• Private Healthcare - BUPA (after 6 month's probation)
• Life Assurance   - 4 x salary / Permanent Health Insurance
• Dress for your Day Policy
• Discounted legal services.

For further details about this exciting role, please email harriet-griffiths@birketts.co.uk.