This is a genuinely strategic role for a real estate development lawyer who wants to work at scale, advising many of the UK’s best-known housebuilders alongside experienced, highly respected partners, with a clear pathway for long-term progression.

The Opportunity

This is a broad, high-quality residential development and land acquisition role, offering exposure to complex, high-value projects across England and Wales. You will advise both national and niche developers on the full lifecycle of residential schemes, from strategic land acquisition through to disposal and regeneration.

The team operates as a dedicated residential development unit, working exclusively with housebuilders and supported by specialist planning, construction and litigation colleagues. Importantly, plot sales are handled by a separate, large specialist team — allowing you to focus on land, strategy and development work, rather than volume transactions.

The Work

You can expect to be involved in:

• Large-scale land acquisitions for nationally recognised housebuilders
• Strategic land projects, including options, conditional contracts and promotion agreements
• Collaboration and joint venture agreements between developers
• Urban regeneration and mixed-use development schemes
• Funding arrangements linked to site acquisition and development
• Disposals of serviced parcels to housing associations and third-party developers

Projects frequently involve significant site sizes and long-term development horizons, including schemes delivering hundreds or thousands of new homes.

The Team

You’ll be joining a market-leading residential development group with national reach and exceptional depth. The wider team comprises hundreds of specialists across the UK and acts for the vast majority of the UK’s top housebuilders, promoters and institutional landowners.

The Nottingham practice is well established and led by a highly regarded residential development specialist known for handling complex, large-scale and strategically sensitive schemes.

About You

This role would suit a lawyer who:

• Is an England & Wales qualified solicitor with 5+ years’ PQE
• Has experience in commercial or residential development, land acquisition or strategic land work
• Is comfortable running matters independently while collaborating within large project teams
• Enjoys working closely with clients and taking a solutions-focused, commercial approach
• Is ambitious and interested in long-term career progression within a growing national platform

Direct housebuilder experience is advantageous, but strong commercial development lawyers looking to specialise further in residential work are very welcome.

Why This Role Stands Out

• One of the largest and strongest residential development practices in the UK
• Exposure to household-name developers and complex, high-value schemes
• Clear evidence of career progression — associates regularly progress to partnership
• Significant investment in training, leadership and professional development
• A genuinely supportive culture with an excellent reputation for work-life balance

Next Steps

For a confidential discussion about this opportunity, please contact Jon Kennedy on 07376 288 737 or jon.kennedy@ardentrecruit.com

This team focuses on high-value, technically sophisticated non-contentious construction work, largely related to commercial real estate development, financings, and high-risk buildings.

Key Responsibilities

• Wide range of construction drafting, negotiation and advice in regard to commercial developments.
• Supporting clients and internal teams on legal strategy, risk mitigation and compliance throughout the lifecycle of development projects.
• Working collaboratively with real estate, finance and project teams across the firm to advise contractors, lenders, developers and investors.
• Supporting junior and senior team members alike, and contributing to business development initiatives.

About You

• Qualified solicitor (England & Wales) with sound grasp of construction law commensurate with pqe, including experience on commercial real estate development and financings gained with a reputable commercial firm.
• Ability to manage complex legal issues in fast-paced environments, balancing accuracy and responsiveness.

Why Join This Team & Firm

Work with a Respected Specialist
You’ll work closely with a respected specialist in construction law, with extensive experience advising developers and investors on high profile non-contentious construction matters.

Career Growth & Development
This leading practice fosters professional growth, supporting you with access to client-facing roles, mentoring from senior lawyers, and opportunities to broaden your expertise.

Next Steps

For a confidential discussion about this role, please contact Jon Kennedy at Ardent Recruitment via 07376 288 737 or jon.kennedy@ardentrecruit.com

The Team

This is a multi award-winning, top-tier construction and projects team, widely regarded as a global market leader. The group advises across the full lifecycle of major projects and developments, acting for employers, sponsors, funders, developers, contractors and public-sector bodies.

The practice is genuinely international in scope, with close collaboration across offices and jurisdictions, and is trusted by heavyweight clients to deliver their most strategically important projects.

The Work

The role is broad and intellectually challenging, with exposure to work including:

• Advising on non-contentious construction matters across real estate, infrastructure and public-sector developments
• Supporting major real estate developments and real estate finance-related construction work, including higher-risk buildings and building safety considerations
• Acting on nationally and internationally significant projects, ranging from major transport and energy infrastructure to complex mixed-use and commercial developments
• Drafting and negotiating construction documentation, project agreements and related contracts
• Working closely with colleagues in real estate, finance and projects to deliver joined-up advice on sophisticated transactions
• Developing client relationships and supporting business development initiatives within a global team

The pipeline of work means there is genuine scope to shape your practice and gain exposure to both construction and broader projects work, depending on your experience and interests.

About You

You are likely to be:

• A qualified solicitor with 5+ years’ PQE in non-contentious construction law
• Experienced in working on large-scale developments or infrastructure-related projects within a rated commercial firm
• Technically strong, commercially minded and comfortable advising on complex, high-risk matters
• Confident supervising junior lawyers and contributing to team leadership
• Client-focused, collaborative and keen to build long-term relationships

Why This Role Is Exceptional

• One of the best construction and projects practices globally, consistently ranked at the very top of the legal directories
• Entrusted with iconic, market-defining projects across infrastructure, energy, transport and real estate
• Exposure to an unparalleled breadth of work — from mega-projects to innovative smaller-scale schemes
• A large, collegiate specialist team where construction and projects is a core strategic priority
• Excellent training, career development and early responsibility
• Flexible and agile working arrangements within a genuinely global practice

Apply Now

If you are a senior construction or projects lawyer looking to work at the very top of the market, on matters few teams can match in scale or complexity, this is a rare and compelling opportunity. For a confidential discussion, please contact Jon Kennedy on 07376 288 737 or via jon.kennedy@ardentrecruit.com

The team is known for its friendly, close-knit culture and collaborative environment. With just over 100 people in the office, there is a genuine sense of community while still benefitting from the resources, breadth and cross-border work of a large international platform.

The Role

You will join a well-established Real Estate team that handles sophisticated development matters, often involving large-scale residential-led schemes and strategic land projects.

The role will involve working closely with specialist partners whose practice centre on complex regeneration and high-value development acquisitions. You will take on meaningful responsibility, supported by a well-structured team of partners, senior associates, associates, trainees and paralegals.

About You

• A qualified solicitor in England & Wales with 4+ PQE in commercial real estate development
• Experienced in regeneration and development, ideally including work for housebuilders
• Confident working autonomously while also contributing effectively within a team
• Highly organised and capable of managing multiple files
• Skilled at communicating clearly, managing stakeholders and delivering client-centred service

Apply Now

For more information or a confidential discussion, please contact Jon Kennedy on 07376 288 737 or via jon.kennedy@ardentrecruit.com

The team has deep, long-standing relationships with many of the UK’s leading clearing banks and alternative lenders, alongside a strong flow of work from corporate, private equity, venture capital and real estate clients.

The Team & Practice

This is a sizeable, well-resourced national banking practice with a strong London hub. The team is known for its commercial approach, technical depth and ability to support clients across the full spectrum of UK and cross-border financing transactions.

Clients include:

• Major UK banks and challenger lenders
• Asset-based and fund-backed lenders
• Corporate borrowers, management teams and growth companies
• Private equity and venture capital sponsors
• Property developers, investors and asset managers

The Work

You can expect to advise on a broad range of financing matters, including:

• General corporate lending and revolving credit facilities
• Acquisition and leveraged finance
• Real estate investment and development finance
• Asset-based lending and structured facilities
• Project and growth finance
• Refinancings, amendments and restructurings

Associates are involved end-to-end, from drafting and negotiation through to completion, with meaningful client contact and increasing autonomy as seniority grows.

Apply Now

If you are a banking & finance lawyer looking for breadth of work, quality clients and a supportive environment with clear progression prospects, this is a role well worth exploring.

For a confidential discussion, please contact Jon Kennedy on 07376 288 737 or via jon.kennedy@ardentrecruit.com

The Opportunity

The firm has a well-established, finance practice with solid bench strength handling a wide variety of transactional matters. Around two-thirds of the group’s work centres on real estate finance, but this role sits within the part of the team that focuses on other sorts of financings, giving you exposure to a diverse and stimulating mix of deals.

You will work closely with partners and senior associates who are recognised for expertise in leveraged and acquisition finance in particular, in addition to general corporate lending, receivables financing and asset-based lending. The practice advises a blend of financial institutions, funds, sponsors and corporate borrowers.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Drafting and negotiating facility documentation, intercreditor agreements and related finance documents
• Handling complex, bespoke financing structures across a range of sectors
• Acting for private equity sponsors, banks, alternative lenders and corporates
• Contributing to business development and helping to drive forward team initiatives
• Collaborating with colleagues across the wider finance and corporate teams

About You

• A UK-qualified solicitor with approximately 1–4 PQE and solid banking & finance experience
• Strong drafting skills and the ability to pick up complex structures quickly
• Good commercial instincts and an interest in developing client relationships
• Confidence in managing your own workstreams and driving transactions forward
• A proactive, engaged approach to continued learning and career development

Apply Now

For a confidential discussion or to request further details, please contact Jon Kennedy on 07376 288 737 or via jon.kennedy@ardentrecruit.com

Overview:
A leading London-based law firm is seeking an ambitious and technically strong Associate to join its highly regarded Commercial Real Estate team. This is an exceptional opportunity to work on complex, high-value transactions for prestigious clients while taking a visible role in client relationships and business development.

The Role:

• Acting for two senior partners who collaborate closely on major mandates, often within the same sectors and for shared clients.
• Taking a lead role on day-to-day client matters, including managing transactions and coordinating multi-disciplinary teams (construction, planning, litigation).
• Supervising junior colleagues and sharing responsibility for team development.
• Supporting active business development initiatives, particularly within the Central London estates sector.

Key Clients & Work:

• Blue-chip UK asset managers (funds c. £2bn): full spectrum of asset management, acquisitions/disposals, financing, and complex agreements for lease across retail, industrial, office, and hospitality sectors.

What We’re Looking For:

• Ideally 3–4 years’ PQE in commercial real estate, though strong candidates at 5–6 years’ PQE will be considered.
• Proven experience in high-value transactions and client-facing roles.
• Strong technical skills combined with commercial awareness and a collaborative mindset.
• Interest in building long-term client relationships and contributing to sector-focused business development.

Why Join?

• Work with market-leading partners on complex, high-profile matters.
• Opportunity to take ownership of client relationships and play a strategic role in growth initiatives.
• Collegiate team environment with clear progression prospects.
  
  For more information about this position or to discuss other similar opportunities please contact Jon Kennedy
  Jon.Kennedy@ardentrecruit.com 
  07376 288 737

The Firm advises on significant infrastructure projects, redevelopment and regeneration schemes, and acquisition and disposal projects for clients from a diverse range of sectors. In recent years, they have advised clients from industry sectors including energy, waste management, water and utilities, and hotels and leisure. 

The Firm is committed to being at the cutting edge of legal practice, investing heavily in AI and its own internal tech systems as part of initiatives designed to increase efficiency and collaboration amongst its lawyers. This investment has formed a key pillar of the Firm's ongoing growth strategy. 

The role would suit an established partner, ideally with some previous experience in a managerial role within a recognised Construction offering. A clear track record of winning and maintaining client relationships and origination of new business is also something that the Firm would be keen to see evidence of. The Firm are prepared to support and invest in an incoming partner and to collaborate on a sensible and sustainable growth strategy for the department to ensure that it remains competitive as they strive towards their goal of making the Construction offering one of the leading lights of the London market.

If you would like a confidential chat about this role and to understand more about the opportunity, please contact Jonathan Smyth. Jonathan will be able to provide you with further information about this position and an overview of active and more discreet opportunities available in the market.

Jonathan has over 15 years' experience in legal recruitment and has been dealing almost exclusively with partner-level individuals since 2019. Jonathan operates across a number of sectors, but with a particular focus on Real Estate, Construction, and Litigation/Arbitration. 

Jonathan.Smyth@ardentrecruit.com

This leading UK commercial law firm is looking to recruit a Construction Solicitor (1+ PQE) to join its nationally recognised non-contentious construction team.

This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious lawyer to work on high-profile, complex and socially impactful projects across the UK.

Why this role?

You’ll work alongside experienced partners advising on some of the UK’s most significant development programmes, spanning:

• Healthcare (NHS and private providers)
• Housing (including social housing and build-to-rent)
• Education (schools and universities)
• Local authority regeneration and highways
• Major central government programmes

This is a role where technical excellence meets real-world impact — from hospitals and care facilities to large-scale residential regeneration.

The work

You’ll be advising on the delivery of major construction projects, gaining hands-on experience with:

• Drafting and negotiating construction and engineering contracts
• Advising on industry standard forms, particularly JCT and NEC, as well as bespoke documentation
• Supporting clients on complex, high-value developments from inception to delivery
• Working collaboratively with colleagues across disciplines

While the role is primarily non-contentious, candidates with a mixed contentious/non-contentious background who are keen to pivot towards non-contentious work are encouraged to apply.

Locations & flexibility

This role can be based in Birmingham, Bristol or Leeds, with a hybrid working model and genuine openness to flexible working patterns.

Why Join?

• Consistently recognised as one of The Times Best Law Firms
• Stable practice with consistent revenue and profit growth
• Strong commitment to learning, development and progression
• A people-first culture — regularly cited by employees as a particular strength
• Industry-leading responsible business and ESG credentials

This leading UK law firm with a national real estate practice, seeks to recruit real estate associates and senior associates (residential development / housebuilding) to join their dynamic team.

This is a fantastic opportunity to work across a breadth of high-profile land acquisition, development and structuring matters for household name national and regional housebuilders.

About the Role

Working within the firm’s specialist housebuilding team, under the leadership of recognised experts, you’ll support clients throughout the lifecycle of residential and mixed-use projects, from strategic land acquisition and planning through to conditional acquisitions and disposals. You’ll be part of a nationally integrated team recognised for its deep sector expertise and practical, commercial approach.

Location

These roles can be based in a number the firm’s regional UK offices, reflecting the national scope of the practice and its clients. Key locations include:

• Birmingham — core Midlands base with plenty of client demand
• Manchester — strategic northern centre with established offering
• Leeds — on of the firm’s key northern real estate team location
• Edinburgh — key office within the national network

What You’ll Do

• Advise national and regional housebuilders on strategic land and development acquisitions
• Support conditional and negotiated deals across residential projects
• Collaborate with senior colleagues on complex structures and client-facing strategy
• Contribute to relationship development and sector growth

Why Join?

You’ll work with a nationally recognised team, supported by a culture that values collaboration, innovation and professional growth. You’ll have a real opportunity to advance your career by working on meaningful projects that shape housing delivery across the UK

Find Out More

Contact Jon Kennedy in confidence via jon.kennedy@ardentrcruit.com or 07376 288 737

Our client is one of London’s leading law firms in the real estate and private wealth industries, with a long-established reputation for excellence in property, dispute resolution and private wealth legal advice.

The firm is now looking to recruit an experienced Associate or Senior Associate to join their top-tier Real Estate Disputes team, with a particular focus on contentious residential property matters.

This is an outstanding opportunity to join a large, market-leading property disputes practice, working on some of the most complex and high-profile residential property matters in the UK.

The Team

The firm's Real Estate Disputes team is one of the largest and most respected in London, acting for a broad client base that includes institutional investors, developers, landed estates, managing agents, landlords, leaseholders and high-net-worth individuals.

The team is particularly well known for its strength in residential property litigation, including work at the highest levels of the court system.

Members of the team have been involved in landmark cases, and the practice is consistently ranked highly by Chambers UK and Legal 500.

The Role

The role will involve a broad and stimulating mix of contentious residential property work, including:

• Landlord and tenant disputes, including possession claims and lease enforcement

• Service charge disputes and recovery

• Disputes concerning long residential leases, breach of covenant and forfeiture

• Residential development-related disputes

• Neighbour and boundary disputes, nuisance claims and Party Wall Act matters

• Strategic advice on risk management and dispute avoidance

The Ideal Candidate

We are looking for a lawyer who:

• Has 3+ years’ PQE in real estate disputes or property litigation, gained with a highly reputable practice

• Has strong experience in residential property litigation, including landlord and tenant matters

• Is technically strong, commercially aware and solutions-focused

• Enjoys working closely with clients and taking ownership of matters

• Is keen to contribute to business development and the continued growth of the team

Why This Opportunity?

• A market-leading real estate disputes practice with genuine depth and breadth

• High-quality, intellectually challenging residential litigation work

• A partner-led, collaborative culture with real responsibility and visibility

• Strong emphasis on pragmatic, commercial advice

• Excellent career development prospects within a growing and highly regarded team

• A supportive, collegiate working environment and the opportunity to build a long-term career at a firm that is consistently recognised for excellence in property law.

The Opportunity

The firm has a sizeable corporate department in London, with a specialist subgroup dedicated to the energy and renewables sector. This area is a significant strategic focus, supported by deep expertise across the wider business—spanning projects, financing, regulatory work, real estate and more.

Two dedicated corporate partners lead the energy-focused transactional practice in the City. Both have backgrounds at top City and international firms and have established a thriving renewables corporate offering. They are now seeking a senior lawyer who shares their enthusiasm for the sector and can play a key role in the continued development of the practice.

Why This Role Exists

The team is experiencing strong and sustained demand for clean energy transactional work, and this position forms part of their planned growth strategy. They are looking to strengthen their senior bench so the team can capitalise on opportunities to continue expanding the practice while ensuring outstanding delivery and leadership across complex mandates.

What You’ll Be Doing

You will work exclusively within the clean energy and renewables sector, with exposure to:

• M&A transactions across solar, wind, hydro, battery storage and emerging technologies
• Equity investments, joint ventures and corporate structuring within the energy space
• Corporate advice on major clean energy developments and portfolio acquisitions
• Supporting investors, developers, utilities and infrastructure funds on strategic transactions

This role is ideal for a corporate lawyer who is passionate about the energy transition and wants to develop long-term sector expertise.

What They’re Looking For

• A senior Corporate M&A Solicitor (ideally 7+ PQE, though strong candidates at all senior levels are encouraged)
• Experience advising within the energy sector or genuine enthusiasm for renewable and clean energy markets
• A confident deal-runner with strong technical and commercial skills
• Someone who enjoys working closely with clients and contributing to the growth of a sector-focused practice

What Makes This Opportunity Stand Out

• Genuine path to partnership
• 1350 chargeable hours target – and crucially, genuinely reflected in practice
• High-quality, sector-leading work without City-style pressure
• Access to a well-developed, multidisciplinary renewables platform
• Supportive, collaborative environment with clear growth strategy

Apply Now

For a confidential discussion about this role or the wider corporate energy market, please contact Jon Kennedy on 07376 288 737 or via jon.kennedy@ardentrecruit.com

All enquiries are handled in strict confidence.

This opportunity sits within an internationally recognised practice with an outstanding reputation for advising on complex built environment and infrastructure mandates. The firm is consistently ranked at the top end of the Legal 500 and acts for an impressive portfolio of household-name contractors and industry participants, ensuring a steady flow of high-quality, sophisticated work.

The Role

The successful candidate will advise on a wide range of major domestic and international projects, spanning:

• Transport and infrastructure

• Energy and utilities

• Landmark commercial real estate developments and regeneration schemes

The work is genuinely front-end and advisory, including:

• Drafting and negotiating complex construction contracts (FIDIC, JCT, NEC)

• Advising on procurement routes and project delivery strategies

• Consultants’ appointments and collateral warranties

• Security packages and project documentation

• Joint venture, PPP and PFI arrangements

The Firm

The firm is known not only for its technical excellence, but also for its collegiate and inclusive culture. Partners and associates work closely together, with lawyers at all levels encouraged to take an active role in client relationships and business development.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

• A deeply specialist construction practice with a strong market profile

• Supportive, approachable partners and genuine mentoring

• Exposure to high-profile, multi-jurisdictional projects

• Consistently high-quality work from long-standing client relationships

This role would suit a construction lawyer with strong non-contentious experience, looking to develop their career within a firm that combines market leadership with a collaborative working environment.

For a confidential discussion or further information, please get in touch with Jon Kennedy via 07376 288 737 or jon.kennedy@ardentrecruit.com

This is a high-profile role, advising on matters that sit at the intersection of public law, economic regulation and major public investment.  The role is open to candidates based in Bristol, Birmingham, Leeds or London, with flexible and hybrid working fully embedded.

The Opportunity

You will join a well-established and growing specialist team advising public bodies and delivery partners on the lawful design, funding and procurement of major projects. The work is rarely siloed — instead, it is multi-disciplinary, strategic and often politically sensitive, requiring close collaboration with colleagues across energy, construction, infrastructure, regeneration and commercial practices.

A significant and expanding part of the workload relates to energy and net-zero projects, where the team plays a key advisory role on subsidy structures, funding mechanisms and procurement strategy.

The Work

Your role will include advising on:

• Subsidy control and legacy State aid issues for public bodies and project sponsors
• Public procurement law, including strategy, compliance and challenge risk
• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating grant funding agreements
• Structuring projects to align with regulatory, commercial and policy objectives
• Multi-disciplinary advisory work supporting complex regeneration, infrastructure and energy schemes

Sector exposure includes:

• Energy and decarbonisation projects (e.g. waste-to-energy, heat networks, EV infrastructure, solar and battery storage)
• Regeneration and housing
• Infrastructure and outsourcing
• Education, research and healthcare

There is also scope to become involved in broader competition law related work, depending on interest.

About You

You are likely to be:

• A UK-qualified solicitor with 5+ years’ PQE
• Experienced in subsidy control / State aid, public procurement and grant funding
• Comfortable advising public sector clients and navigating complex regulatory frameworks
• Commercially minded, pragmatic and solutions-focused
• Interested in policy-driven, high-impact work with real societal outcomes

Experience across energy, infrastructure or regeneration projects would be attractive.

Why This Role Stands Out

• Market-leading expertise in subsidy control and procurement
• Work that is front-page relevant, advising on major public investment and policy-driven projects
• A genuinely collaborative and collegiate culture
• Strong commitment to flexible and hybrid working
• Clear investment in learning, development and progression
• A values-led firm with a serious commitment to wellbeing, inclusion and sustainability

Next Steps

For a confidential discussion about this opportunity, please contact Jon Kennedy on 07376 288 737 or via jon.kennedy@ardentrecruit.com

This is a standout opportunity for a lawyer who wants to handle high quality construction litigation without the long-hours culture typically associated with the London market.

The Practice

The construction disputes team is recognised in the legal directories for the calibre of its work and its technical strength. It advises on complex, high-value disputes arising from major development and investment projects, regularly acting for sophisticated commercial and institutional clients.

The team sits closely alongside a leading real estate practice, resulting in a steady flow of disputes linked to:

• Commercial and mixed-use developments
• High-value residential schemes
• Regeneration and investment assets
• Portfolio-level and strategically important projects

The Work

You can expect exposure to a broad and stimulating mix of contentious construction matters, including:

• Adjudication, arbitration and TCC litigation
• Claims relating to defects, delays, variations and professional negligence
• Disputes arising out of development agreements, building contracts and consultant appointments
• Strategically significant matters involving complex stakeholder and public-sector dynamics
• Working closely with real estate and property litigation colleagues on joined-up disputes

The work is hands-on, with meaningful responsibility and client exposure from an early stage, supported by highly experienced senior lawyers.

Hours, Flexibility & Culture

This role is particularly attractive for lawyers seeking sustainability alongside quality:

• Annual target hours of c.1300, genuinely reflective of reality
• Hybrid working, typically 2–3 days from home
• Competitive London salary that compares very favourably with many national firms
• Collegiate, down-to-earth culture with a strong emphasis on trust and autonomy
• Modern, well-designed offices and a calm, professional working environment

Who This Would Suit

You are likely to be:

• England & Wales qualified with 3–6 years’ PQE in construction disputes
• Experienced in at least some of adjudication and litigation
• Comfortable working on technically complex matters with commercial sensitivity
• Looking for top-quality work, without the burnout, to develop a sustainable practice

Interested?

For a confidential discussion about this role, please contact Jon Kennedy on 07376 288 737 or via jon.kennedy@ardentrecruit.com

The Team

The property group operates nationally with strong client relationships and an enviable reputation across development, investment, landlord & tenant and real estate portfolio transactions. The team combines deep technical capability with a collaborative, collegiate culture and regularly advises on complex, high-value mandates.

The Work

As a Real Estate Associate, you will be involved in a broad mix of high-quality property work, including:

• Acquisitions and disposals — acting for investors, developers and corporate clients
• Investment transactions — supporting on sale/purchase of property portfolios and mixed-use assets
• Development-led work — advising on strategic land acquisitions, pre-lets, planning-linked risk and development documents
• Landlord & tenant — lease negotiations, reorganisations, exits and restructures
• Due diligence and risk reporting — robustly assessing legal risk and presenting clear commercial advice
• Cross-practice collaboration with corporate, finance and real estate disciplines on integrated matters

Who We’re Looking For

We are seeking an associate who is:

• Qualified as a solicitor in England & Wales, typically with 2–5 years’ PQE in real estate or related transactional work
• Experienced in core areas such as acquisitions, disposals, landlord & tenant, development support or portfolio deals
• Comfortable drafting and negotiating key documentation with increasing autonomy
• Commercially aware, organised and adept at juggling multiple workstreams
• A confident communicator with the ability to interact effectively with clients and senior colleagues

Apply Now

Whether you are looking to expand your real estate experience beyond a single niche or are already building a well-rounded property practice and want to step up, this role offers excellent development opportunity in a vibrant team. For a confidential discussion about this role, please contact Jon Kennedy on 07376 288 737 or via jon.kennedy@ardentrecruit.com

This role can be based in Leeds or Manchester, with close collaboration across the firm’s offices nationally.

The Team

The planning team sits within a large Real Estate platform and operates nationally across multiple UK locations. The team is made up of a strong mix of partners, senior lawyers, associates and trainees, and is recognised for the quality, scale and complexity of its work.

A key focus of the practice is advising on nationally significant infrastructure projects, particularly within the energy, transport and utilities sectors. The team is closely involved in major UK infrastructure programmes and is frequently engaged at the earliest stages of project development.

The Work

You will advise on a wide range of complex and strategically important infrastructure matters, including:

• Development Consent Orders across the energy, transport and water sectors, acting for both promoters and objectors
• Transport and Works Act Orders for rail and light rail schemes
• Harbour orders, marine licensing and related approvals
• Strategic consenting advice, including optioneering and route selection
• Statutory and non-statutory consultation processes
• Reviewing and advising on environmental statements and application documents
• Drafting secondary legislation and supporting hybrid Bills
• Advising at examinations, inquiries and hearings
• Public law and administrative law issues arising from infrastructure delivery
• Land assembly strategies, compulsory purchase and compensation matters

You will work closely with partners and senior colleagues and can expect a high degree of responsibility, visibility and client contact.

Sector Focus

The team has a particularly strong reputation in transport and energy, advising on projects involving electricity transmission, renewable energy, carbon capture, battery storage, gas distribution, ports, airports and rail. It is also actively involved in policy-shaping work linked to decarbonisation, alternative fuels and future transport systems.

About You

You are likely to:

• Be a qualified solicitor with 3+ years’ relevant experience in planning and/or infrastructure consenting
• Have hands-on experience advising on major infrastructure or energy projects
• Understand the political and regulatory context surrounding infrastructure delivery
• Be confident engaging with clients, consultants, public bodies and other stakeholders
• Draft clearly, accurately and commercially under time pressure
• Enjoy working in fast-moving, high-profile environments
• Take a proactive, consultative approach to client service and relationship development

Why This Role Stands Out

• High-profile, nationally significant infrastructure work
• A genuinely national team with deep sector expertise
• Strong emphasis on people development, with structured support from HR, learning and delivery teams
• Clear progression opportunities within a growing practice
• A collaborative, inclusive and forward-looking culture
• The chance to work at the forefront of the UK’s energy transition and transport transformation

Apply Now

If you are an infrastructure-focused planning lawyer looking to step into a role with real responsibility, visibility and long-term career prospects, we would be pleased to discuss this opportunity in confidence. Please contact Jon Kennedy on 07376 288 737 or via jon.kennedy@ardentrecruit.com

The Opportunity

You will join a market-leading private wealth team consistently recognised for its technical strength, quality of advice and long-standing client relationships. The practice advises a sophisticated client base of UHNW and HNW individuals, families, entrepreneurs and trustees, and is known for delivering clear, practical and technically robust advice.

The team operates within a calm, collegiate environment, with excellent partner access and a strong emphasis on sustainable working practices.

The Work

The role will focus primarily on onshore private wealth matters, including:

• UK tax and estate planning for UHNW and HNW individuals and families
• Drafting complex wills and advising on succession planning
• Trust creation, administration and restructuring
• Advising trustees and beneficiaries
• High-value and complex estate administrations
• Long-term family wealth and asset-protection planning
• Working collaboratively with property, family, litigation and corporate colleagues where client needs overlap

You will have direct client exposure from an early stage, with responsibility increasing in line with experience.

Why This Role Stands Out

This opportunity offers a genuinely rare combination of benefits in the London private wealth market:

• A single-office, highly collaborative culture, where decision-makers work closely together and lawyers enjoy real visibility
• A full-service commercial platform, with private wealth remaining a core strategic focus
• A consistently top-ranked private client practice, particularly for UHNW work
• More manageable hours than most peer firms, with an annual target of around 1300
• Hybrid working, typically around a 60/40 office-to-home split
• Highly competitive remuneration, offering a true “best of both worlds” proposition

The firm is widely viewed as an attractive destination for lawyers seeking top-quality work without sacrificing balance, culture or long-term sustainability.

About You

You are likely to be:

• A qualified England & Wales solicitor with experience in private client work gained with a highly regarded team
• Comfortable advising on UK tax, trusts, estates and succession planning
• Interested in developing or continuing a career focused on onshore private wealth
• Technically strong, thoughtful and client-focused
• Someone who values collaboration, quality and a supportive working environment

Apply Now

If you are a private wealth solicitor looking to advise sophisticated clients on complex UK-focused matters within a genuinely high-quality and people-focused practice, this is an excellent opportunity. For a confidential discussion, please contact Jon Kennedy on 07376 288 737 or via jon.kennedy@ardentrecruit.com

The role offers the opportunity to advise on complex public-private partnerships, outsourcing agreements, infrastructure and other high value projects and commercial arrangements for high-profile clients in the public and private sectors.

The Team & What You’ll Work On

You will work closely with leading partners known for their expertise in structuring and delivering public-private partnerships (PFI / PPP) and other projects across sectors such as health, local government, waste, emergency services, highways, regeneration, education, leisure and other public services.

Your Role & Responsibilities

As part of the team, you will:

• Advise on all stages of projects — from inception and procurement / structuring, through negotiation and contract documentation, to close-out and post-close management
• Draft, negotiate and manage complex contracts (outsourcing, service provision, PPP/PFI agreements, facilities management, energy and infrastructure)
• Support public and private sector clients: local authorities, health bodies, private companies, consortia, special purpose vehicles and funders
• Assist in contract variations, renegotiations and ongoing operational or service-delivery legal support
• Engage with multi-disciplinary teams (finance, real estate, regulatory, construction, corporate) depending on project requirements

Apply Now

If you are interested in joining a market-leading projects and infrastructure practice, working on impactful and complex matters with respected partners, please contact Jon Kennedy on 07376 288 737 or via jon.kennedy@ardentrecruit.com