Associate, Commercial Property/ Rural Development

Overview

A long‑established London law firm with a strong reputation in private client and real estate work is seeking a talented Real Estate Associate (3-5 PQE) to join its specialist Property team. This role offers the chance to work with rural estates, landed families, trustees, and high‑value landowners , providing expert advice on development, strategic land, asset management, and broader property matters.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys a mix of development, rural land, and private client‑driven property work , and who values a close‑knit, high‑quality team environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Advising owners of rural and landed estates on a broad range of real estate matters, with a strong focus on development and strategic land projects .
• Working on option agreements, promotion agreements, conditional contracts , overage arrangements, collaboration agreements, and development‑related documentation.
• Acting for families, trustees, estate owners, and private landholders on the sale, purchase, and management of rural and high‑value residential land.
• Supporting estate management work, including leases, tenancy matters, easements, covenants, access rights, agricultural considerations, and occupation arrangements .
• Handling title investigation, due diligence, and risk assessment on complex rural assets and development land.
• Liaising closely with planning, tax, agriculture, and private client teams on multi‑disciplinary matters.
• Contributing to client relationship management, including supporting long‑standing estate clients and assisting with new business development.
• Mentoring junior colleagues and helping to maintain high team standards through knowledge sharing.

About You

• Qualified solicitor with 3-5 years PQE in real estate, ideally with exposure to rural land, estates, or development projects.
• Strong understanding of strategic land and development transactions , including negotiation of key documents.
• Experience acting for private clients, estate owners, or family offices is advantageous.
• Excellent drafting, technical, and organisational skills with strong attention to detail.
• A personable communicator who builds trusted relationships with long‑term clients.
• Comfortable managing files independently while working collaboratively within a team.
• Commercially aware, proactive, and keen to develop expertise in the rural estates and landed property sector.

What the Firm Offers

• High‑quality work with historic estates, private landowners, trustees, and UHNW/HNW families .
• A warm, collegiate culture with a genuine focus on work‑life balance and strong partner engagement.
• Clear development opportunities and long‑term progression potential.
• Competitive remuneration and benefits package.
• Exposure to a diverse caseload combining development, rural, residential, and mixed property matters.

Please note our advertisements use PQE/salary levels purely as a guide. However we are happy to consider applications from all candidates who are able to demonstrate the skills necessary to fulfil the role.

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