Associate, Commercial Property (6 month fixed term contract)

The Real Estate department at Howard Kennedy covers all aspects of property-related legal services and acts for a wide range of clients including many household names in the retail and hospitality sector, property investors and funders and large-scale residential developers.

Our Commercial Property team focus on all aspects of non-contentious commercial property transactions, advising on acquisitions and disposals of freehold and leasehold properties, on real estate development and real estate elements of development finance, on the real estate aspects of portfolio management, insolvency and all other landlord and tenant matters. The team have an extensive and varied client base acting for global brands and quoted companies including Pizza Hut, Pandora, Pure Gym, Patty&Bun, Reiss and Tortilla as well as numerous entrepreneurial real estate developers and investors.

The team's recent work includes:

• Acquisition of sites for development of between 10 and 350 residential units for various residential and PBSA developers
• Advising a national gym chain on its ongoing acquisition of out of town retail sites
• Advising a high-end fast growing health focused grab and go food business on its continued expansion including transport hubs
• Advising Taiwanese restaurant on its acquisition in London's Borough Market
• Advising a Dutch investment fund on the acquisition of a shopping centre in Manchester
• Refinancing a portfolio of high-end student accommodation

We are looking for an Associate to join the team on a 6-month fixed term contract. You will be working closely with and supporting senior fee earners in the team on tasks across a wide range of matters. This is an excellent opportunity for those seeking continued career development, with real opportunities for matter ownership from day one.

Main responsibilities

Working across a variety of tasks and responsibilities including;

• Drafting, reviewing and commenting on Options, Promotion Agreements and Overage Agreements

• Site acquisitions conditional on planning

• New leases and renewal leases

• Assisting in drafting of LLS Certificates of Title

• Commercial acquisitions and disposals of property assets

• Buying and selling vacant possession property:

o Reviewing and commenting on Heads of Terms

o Reviewing and commenting on contracts for sale and purchase

o Reviewing title

o Dealing with enquiries and searches

• Dealing with post-completion matters

• On all matters, dealing directly with solicitor and client enquiries, along with an internal enquiries

• Ensuring that all client matter schedules are up to date and are maintained for both internal and external use

• Participating in and instigating business development activity, including attendance at appropriate events and production of content for publication

• Undertaking a range of continuing professional development activities

• Attending departmental and other appropriate briefings to assess current and future needs

About you

You will be able to demonstrate;

• Relevant post qualified real estate experience of real estate development work, property transactions and general commercial Real Estate

• A demonstrable interest in real estate and the type of work carried out

• A commercial approach to problem solving and providing innovative solutions

• Strong organisation skills with the ability to manage and prioritise workloads, working to tight deadlines where the input of others is often required, keeping accurate time records, organising files and carrying out all necessary administrative tasks

• Thoroughness and attention to detail

• Confident and effective communication skills

• The ability to build effective working relationships with clients and colleagues at all levels

• A commercial approach to client service