Associate to Principal Associate - Real Estate Disputes - Birmingham or Manchester

The role

We are looking for a solicitor to join our Real Estate Disputes team. The role can be based at either of our Birmingham or Manchester offices. We have a “one team” approach which involves interaction with our 6 other national offices.

The position offers an opportunity for the right candidate to play a key role in the development of this growing team which is renowned for its collegiate work ethic.

Working under supervision with partner and team leader, Richard New, you will:

• Undertake a stimulating combination of property advice / consultancy and active litigation. We spend as much time providing clients with strategic advice on how to avoid disputes as we do in the Courts.
• Work with non-contentious Real Estate fee earners, giving advice to them and their clients on property issues where an advantage is to be gained or a problem avoided.
• Run litigious matters through to settlement or trial. You will give practical advice to clients on the merits of a case as well as being able to guide them through the litigation process.

The team

The team is part of one of the largest Real Estate practices in the UK and you will be responsible for handling a wide variety of property disputes. Whilst the majority of the work will focus on commercial property, there are opportunities to act on residential and agricultural matters too.  As well as the ‘typical’ Real Estate Disputes work such as forfeiture, lease renewal, rent reviews, restrictive covenants, adverse possession and rights of way, our team has nationally-recognised specialists in the fields of business rates, agricultural tenancies, telecoms and legal title indemnity insurance.

The team has, in the last year alone, run several cases through the Valuation Tribunal, Upper Tribunal, County Courts, High Courts and Court of Appeal, as well as undertaking a six week arbitration for a major Food sector client. You will also be expected to be involved in alternative dispute resolution and some experience in arbitration, expert determination and mediation would be preferable. You will also be involved in preparing for and presenting client-facing seminars and thought leadership events.

The team covers contentious work emanating from all of the firm’s offices – Birmingham, Cambridge, Leeds, London, Manchester, Norwich and newly-opened Oxford. There is scope for travel depending on the willingness of the candidate, but we pride ourselves on offering flexible working patterns and a supportive environment. The firm is recognised by, amongst others, the Sunday Times Best 100 Companies to Work For, Roll On Friday, FT and Legal Week Innovation Awards for its culture, diversity and collaboration.

Experience required

Ideally, you will have 2-7 years’ PQE with a broad range of hands-on real estate disputes experience gained with a large regional or City firm. However, we are very much looking for the right person to fit into this supportive and sociable team, so we remain open to approaches from candidates with other levels of experience.

Essential

You will have:

• Good academics (2.1 degree or equivalent and good A levels or equivalent)
• Excellent written English and ability to produce clear, logical drafting.
• Technically sound with good attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Willingness to learn and build up a wide range of experience.
• Desire to market, to develop and to strengthen existing client and agent relationships.
• Commitment to and interest in real estate disputes (property law and dispute resolution).
• High level of analytical and forensic/litigation skills with real potential for taking on more complex matters.
• A pragmatic approach to problem solving.
• Ability to create a good impression with clients (internal and external), potential clients and multipliers.
• Ability to work with other fee earners in the team and non-contentious fee earners in other teams, groups and sectors.
• Active participant in business development initiatives.

Pre-employment screening

Please note that, in the event that we make an offer of employment, we will conduct pre-employment screening that includes checks relating to your professional and academic qualifications, references from previous employers, your eligibility to work in the UK and any disciplinary history recorded with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). You will also be required to complete a self-declaration to assess your character and suitability.

Disclosure and barring service check and security clearance

This post is also subject to a satisfactory response from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) (to check for any previous criminal convictions) and, given the nature of the work-type, you may also be required to undergo national security vetting to SC level – the latter can be undertaken following commencement of employment.

And finally

Mills & Reeve is committed to building a diverse workforce and fostering an inclusive environment in which all our people can thrive. We hire people from a wide variety of backgrounds because it makes our firm stronger, and we have a collaborative culture that celebrates different perspectives and values respect for one another, working together, and openness and integrity. Our approach to flexible working means that we work in a way that achieves the right balance for our people, our clients and for our business.