Purpose of job To be the lead figure for real estate disputes in the Manchester office, yet working closely as one national group in conjunction with our London team. To take responsibility for developing client relationships as part of a genuinely supportive and collaborative team, maintaining the highest possible standard of client service. To join a high performing team of real estate disputes lawyers managing a complex caseload of real estate disputes and advisory work. What’s in it for you? This is a fantastic opportunity to join our Manchester office and become an integral part of our national Real Estate Disputes team. You will be responsible for leading and driving our team forwards in Manchester whilst working in collaboration with our national team. We have an excellent opportunity for you to develop and build a career in a top tier real estate disputes team offering a great deal of autonomy and for the right candidate, a real track to Partnership. The team advise clients on complex high stakes disputes at all levels of the UK court system including the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court and provide risk advisory advice to leading institutional landlords, developers, investors, corporate occupiers and financial institutions. The team advises clients on the full range of real estate disputes including: • Advising clients on commercial, residential and mixed-use development schemes • Development disputes • Dilapidations claims • Joint venture disputes • Landlord and tenant issues including complex 1954 Act claims; rent arrears and forfeiture disputes • Property insolvency disputes • Professional negligence claims • Rights of light claims • Service charge disputes • Telecommunications Code strategic advice and disputes Key responsibilities • Conduct all aspects of real estate disputes work, managing a variety of client matters with a focus on providing strategic, commercial advice. • Delegate tasks to and supervise trainees and paralegals and contribute to the technical and legal knowledge of the wider team (writing articles, delivering training and presentations to internal and external clients). • Develop close working relationships with clients, intermediaries, and colleagues in both UK and international offices. • Take client instructions and have a full understanding of the client’s goals • Take responsibility for ensuring client matters and files are appropriately supervised and managed • Give commercially astute advice and demonstrate a thorough understanding of the commercial issues that clients face • Work with partners on new business leads • Demonstrate a full understanding of how the Firm manages its business to achieve growth and profitability • Demonstrate authority and presence; striving to achieve results and motivate others to succeed Key relationships Real Estate Partners and Associates Wide range of clients including Tesco, BlackRock, Great Portland Estate, Grosvenor, Aviva and Land Securities. Experience and knowledge Experienced Senior Associate/ Counsel Significant real estate disputes experience Can demonstrate excellent market knowledge and understanding of commercial drivers affecting our client base. Skills and competencies • Excellent legal knowledge. • Excellent written and interpersonal skills as well as a keen eye for detail. • Excellent teamwork skills and the ability to communicate effectively with people at all levels. • Proactive and takes initiative in relation to personal development and development of team and junior colleagues. • Willing to take responsibility to supervise and develop junior members of the team (teach and learn). • Enthusiasm for business development and willingness to build network and relationships with key clients/contacts. • Can work flexibly. • Demonstrate resilience and an ability to remain calm under pressure. Please note that is not an exhaustive list of competencies but merely an outline of the key components of the role. You may be required to take on additional responsibilities when requested. Diversity, inclusion and working differently At Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner we understand the value of a diverse workforce and we believe people perform at their best when they can truly be themselves at work. We aim to create an inclusive environment where all our employees are valued, motivated and able to be themselves. In order to provide the best possible service to our diverse client base, we are committed to recruiting, retaining, rewarding and developing our people with regard to their abilities and contributions and without reference to their background, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnic origin, age, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, political belief, disability or any other protected characteristic. Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner is a firm with an increasingly flexible workforce and is supportive of flexible working arrangements, tailored to the individual, wherever possible. Please feel free to speak to the Recruitment Team about the flexibility we are offering for this role. Confidentiality Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner will ensure all hardcopy and electronic materials containing confidential information are securely stored and accessible only to those authorised to view such content. Agencies Please note: we will not accept speculative CVs sent to hiring managers or partners via email. We can only accept CVs sent via the portal from agencies that have agreed terms of business with the Recruitment team. For further information, contact recruitment@bclplaw.com. Disclosure As a regulated firm of solicitors, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner is required to undertake appropriate vetting of staff. In addition to completion, by applicants who accept a job offer, of a regulatory questionnaire, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner uses a specialist provider to undertake professional verification and background checks (including through electronic data sources, and directly with employers and professional bodies/regulators) on our behalf. We will also undertake certain verifications ourselves. Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner adopts a risk-based approach to its vetting procedures, which are only undertaken with consent, and in accordance with IT, legal and regulatory obligations. For further details, please see our recruitment website www.bclplaw.com