Solicitor – Real Estate Development

Lester Aldridge has an exciting opportunity for an ambitious Development Solicitor, from newly qualified up to 5 years PQE, to join our busy and highly regarded Real Estate Development team in Southampton.

We are seeking someone with strong technical skills, sound commercial judgement and a genuine interest in the property development sector. The successful candidate will undertake a broad range of residential and commercial development work, acting for residential housebuilders, care home developers, commercial developers, landowners, investors, funders, care home operators and hotel operators throughout the lifecycle of development projects. The role also includes the opportunity to work with our healthcare team on wider real estate matters including primary development, new SEN schools, investment and funding.

Additionally the role offers the opportunity to work on high-value and strategically important developments, from site acquisition through to disposal and ongoing asset management. This is an excellent opportunity to develop a broad skillset within a highly regarded team and to play a key role in supporting complex, high-value development projects.

At LA, client service is a priority across the firm. We are constantly looking for ways to add value to the services we offer and aim to mirror this in our work ethic, balancing quality of life and quality of work while meeting the varying needs of our clients.

If you are looking to develop your career working with a varied client base, then this could be perfect for you.

About the Team

Our Real Estate Development team advises developers and landowners on a wide range of matters relating to property development. The team's core work involves advising developers on the acquisition of land for development, with a particular focus on residential and mixed-use development.

We also advise on specialist development projects. On the residential side, we act for retirement housebuilders and providers of housing with care. On the non-residential side, we advise care home developers, hotel developers, and developers of commercial and industrial buildings.

Our Real Estate team is recognised for advising on a broad range of high-quality development projects across the region as well as nationally. We act for clients across the residential, commercial, healthcare and hospitality sectors, delivering practical, commercially focused advice throughout the development lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic land acquisitions and disposals.
• Conditional contracts, promotion agreements and option agreements.
• Site assembly and development structuring.
• Residential development schemes for national and regional housebuilders.
• Development projects involving care homes, retirement living and assisted living facilities, healthcare centres, SEN schools, children's homes
• Acquisitions, disposals and development of commercial and mixed-use schemes.
• Acquisitions, development and operational property matters for care home operators, GPs, children's homes and SEN school providers
• Hotel acquisition, development and operational asset management matters.
• Supporting financing and corporate transactions involving development and operational real estate assets.
• Managing transactions from instruction through to completion.
• Building and maintaining strong client relationships.
• Offering practical, commercial and innovative solutions and strategic advice.
• Supporting both regional and nationwide clients.
• Working collaboratively with colleagues across Real Estate, Planning, Construction, Corporate and Banking teams.
• Promoting the firm's core values.

Skills and Experience

We are interested in candidates who:

• Are qualified as a Solicitor in England and Wales with between NQ and 5 years PQE.
• Have some experience of development work gained during training or post-qualification practice.
• Possess strong technical and drafting skills.
• Demonstrate excellent organisational and matter management abilities.
• Have strong attention to detail and commercial awareness.
• Communicate clearly and confidently, both in writing and verbally.
• Enjoy building relationships with clients and colleagues.
• Are proactive, enthusiastic and keen to develop their career within a leading development practice.
• Work well collaboratively as part of a supportive team.

What We Offer

• Exposure to high-quality and complex development work.
• Direct client contact and responsibility from an early stage.
• A supportive and collaborative team environment.
• Structured training and development opportunities.
• Clear opportunities for career progression.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements from our Southampton office.
• A broad range of work across residential, commercial, healthcare and hospitality development.
• The opportunity to work with local, regional and national clients.
• A friendly, welcoming environment with modern office space and regular socials.

Work-life balance - hybrid and flexible working arrangements from our Southampton office with the beautiful south coast on your doorstep.

Progression - a competitive salary and benefits package with performance-based opportunities for career development.

Autonomy and support - handle and develop your own caseload with appropriate support from the team and the wider LA family and infrastructure.

Variety - a broad range of work across multiple development sectors; no two days are the same.

Hands-on experience - a client-facing role, working closely with local, regional and national clients and operating at the forefront of the property development sector.

A welcoming environment - a friendly, supportive team, modern office space and regular socials.

A real opportunity - carve a niche for yourself in this dynamic and exciting area of real estate.

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