Associate

Hours	9:30 to 5:30
Department	Enfranchisement

The Role

Russell-Cooke is looking for an associate with approximately 3 to 5 years’ PQE to join its specialist enfranchisement team.

This is an opportunity for an experienced property lawyer to develop their career within a well-established and highly regarded practice. The successful candidate will manage their own varied caseload, work closely with experienced lawyers in the team and play an active part in developing the practice.

The role encompasses a broad range of residential leasehold and enfranchisement work for both landlords and tenants, including statutory and voluntary lease extensions, collective enfranchisement, freehold acquisitions, rights of first refusal and right to manage matters.

The successful candidate will have regular contact with clients and other professional advisers and will be encouraged to build their own profile and professional network. There will also be opportunities to support and supervise more junior members of the team, depending on the candidate’s experience.

Technical skills and expertise

The successful candidate will ideally have:

• approximately 3 to 5 years’ PQE, although applications will be considered from candidates whose experience falls slightly outside this range;
• good knowledge and practical experience of residential leasehold and enfranchisement matters;
• experience of acting for landlords and tenants;
• experience of advising on statutory lease extension and collective enfranchisement claims under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993;
• experience of advising on claims under the Leasehold Reform Act 1967;
• knowledge of the right of first refusal under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987;
• knowledge of the right to manage under the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002;
• experience of voluntary lease extensions, lease variations and related residential leasehold transactions;
• the ability to manage their own caseload and progress matters efficiently, accurately and commercially;
• strong drafting, analytical and client-care skills;
• an interest in legislative and other developments affecting residential leasehold law; and
• enthusiasm for business development, networking and contributing to the continued growth of the team.

Experience of contentious residential leasehold matters, leasehold property litigation, block management work, service charge disputes, lease enforcement, licences to alter or licences to assign would be advantageous, but is not essential.

Previous formal supervisory experience is also desirable but not essential. We would welcome applications from candidates who have supported or mentored junior colleagues and are keen to develop their supervisory skills.

Person specification

We are looking for someone who:

• has a genuine interest in enfranchisement and residential leasehold work;
• is confident taking responsibility for matters while knowing when to seek input;
• communicates clearly and builds trusted relationships with clients and professional contacts;
• enjoys working collaboratively as part of a specialist team;
• is commercially aware, well organised and attentive to detail; and
• is keen to contribute ideas, develop professional relationships and raise both their own profile and that of the team.

Your career development

Russell-Cooke’s lawyers are rounded professional advisers with strong commercial awareness and a commitment to exceeding client expectations. All our lawyers benefit from our cohort based career development programme. We understand the importance of building an internal network and have developed this excellent cohort programme to allow our lawyers to work together across practice areas and share their knowledge, experiences and networks.

At each stage of your career, and as you move through the cohorts, a bespoke training programme will be provided to support you with your development and progression.

Salary and benefits

We offer competitive salaries and generous benefits.

We welcome direct applications. If you would like any further information about the firm please contact a member of the HR team.

We have a diverse workforce and aim to attract high calibre applicants that reflect the demography of our geographical location and client base. Individuals will be employed solely on merit and the requirement of the position. No applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of sex, race, marital status, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender Identity or religion. Reasonable adjustments will be made to eliminate or reduce disadvantage.