The national pension practice currently has a strong advisory focus, and the firm is keen to build on this foundation within its London office. With an expected following of around £750k+, this role represents an exciting and genuinely rare opportunity for a partner to shape and expand a practice within a firm known for its innovation, forward‑thinking approach and deep commitment to DE&I. The successful candidate will benefit from a significant flow of internal referrals, strong cross‑disciplinary support and the ability to generate work from the firm’s extensive client base, creating a compelling platform for long‑term growth and impact.

If you would like a confidential chat about this opportunity and to understand more about the opportunity, please contact Jane Gaunt. Jane 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.

Before moving into recruitment, Jane practised as a pension solicitor and now specialises in legal recruitment at associate and partner level. She has extensive experience supporting both first‑time and established pension partners through lateral moves, including assistance with business plans, lateral partner questionnaires and preparation for internal partnership processes including board‑level interviews.

Contact details: Jane.gaunt@ardentrecruit.com or 07393 198 443.

*PQE level is given as a guide only. Candidates with more or less experience are welcome to apply

What makes this role stand out is the firm’s approach to flexibility and long‑term career development. They offer bespoke hybrid working patterns, designed around the individual rather than a rigid policy, and provide the option to take additional unpaid leave each year, something many lawyers value as a way to balance work with family, travel or personal commitments. The culture is consistently described as friendly, collaborative and down‑to‑earth, with partners who are approachable and invested in the success of their teams. PSLs are treated as integral members of the practice, with a clear voice in shaping training, precedents, client materials and horizon‑scanning initiatives.

The role itself is varied and intellectually engaging. You would be involved in developing and maintaining know‑how, producing client alerts and thought leadership, designing and delivering internal training, supporting business development initiatives and working closely with partners on strategic projects. There is also scope to tailor the role around your strengths, whether that’s technical pensions analysis, training, innovation, client‑facing work or cross‑practice collaboration. The firm is committed to ensuring PSLs have strong progression prospects, with clear pathways for increased responsibility, visibility and influence within the practice.

If you would like a confidential chat about this opportunity and to understand more about the opportunity, please contact Jane Gaunt. Jane 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.

Before moving into legal recruitment, Jane practised as a pension solicitor, giving her a deep understanding of the technical, regulatory and commercial issues that shape the practice. She now specialises in recruiting at associate and partner level and has built a strong track record supporting pensions solicitors at key transition points in their careers. This includes helping fee‑earners move into their first professional support lawyer role, as well as advising experienced PSLs seeking a lateral move or a step up in responsibility. Her combination of first‑hand pensions experience, market insight and long‑standing relationships with leading firms enables her to provide tailored, practical guidance and to match candidates with roles that genuinely align with their strengths, ambitions and working style.

Contact details: Jane.gaunt@ardentrecruit.com or 07393 198 443.

*PQE level is given as a guide only. Candidates with more or less experience are welcome to apply.

With the support of a well-established national pension practice, this well respected and popular firm are keen to develop a London pension team under the guidance of a highly regarded name in the pension market.

Work will cover all areas of pension law and there will be plenty of business development from the outset as the practice develops, as well as on the job training. This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys client work and is interested in being part of the strategic growth of a practice.

The role is open to lawyers from 1 PQE upwards. Suitable candidates must be able to show a good level of commercial acumen, good communication skills as well as strong technical ability.

If you would like a confidential chat about this opportunity and to understand more about the role, please contact Jane Gaunt who will be able to provide you with further information about this position and an overview of active and more discreet opportunities available within the market at your level.

Before moving into recruitment, Jane worked as a pension solicitor and now specialises in pension recruitment. She has over a decade of experience of moving pension solicitors at all levels and will be able to support you with your next move.

Jane.gaunt@ardentrecruit.com

07393 198 443

The pensions practice is top tier and highly regarded within the pensions sector. Due to their continued success they have strategic growth plans and are keen to bring in a senior or counsel level pensions lawyer.

Work covers all aspects of advisory, transactional and contentious pensions matters for clients in sectors ranging from insurance and financial services to government bodies and private clients. Suitable candidates must be able to demonstrate a broad range of experience, gained at a well-regarded London or national firm, and the ability to manage clients and lead on matters.  

If you would like a confidential chat about this opportunity and to understand more about the team, please contact Jane Gaunt who will be able to provide you with further information about this position and an overview of active and more discreet opportunities available within the market at your level.

Before moving into recruitment, Jane worked as a pension solicitor and now specialises in pension recruitment. She has over a decade of experience of moving pension solicitors at all levels nationally and will be able to support you with your next move.

Jane.gaunt@ardentrecruit.com

07393 198 443

*PQE level is given as a guide only. Candidates with more or less experience are welcome to apply

Pensions is considered a significant part of the firm and you will enjoy working with colleagues across the firm on work of the highest quality for an impressive list of clients. Work covers the full range of pensions law including advisory, transactional and de-risking.

‘Supportive and collegiate team’ is a phrase banded about in PR and advertising but in this case it is authentic. Partners, and senior leaders, care and are deeply invested in the well-being and development of their people and work with individuals to ensure they are provided with the support and a range of development opportunities that are align with their career goals.

Suitable candidates will have trained and gained experience at a firm known for their work in the area, be able to demonstrate a genuine interest in the pensions sector and a commercial approach to their work.

If you would like a confidential chat about this opportunity and to understand more about the team, please contact Jane Gaunt who will be able to provide you with further information about this position and an overview of active and more discreet opportunities available within the market at your level.

Before moving into recruitment, Jane worked as a pension solicitor and now specialises in pension recruitment. She has over a decade of experience of moving pension solicitors at all levels nationally and will be able to support you with your next move including interview preparation and general advice about your long-term career goals.

Jane.gaunt@ardentrecruit.com
07393 198 443
*PQE level is given as a guide only. Candidates with more or less experience are welcome to apply.

Because pensions is our core area, and thanks to longstanding relationships with partners at leading firms, we have access to off‑market insight into newly qualified hiring plans for March 2027. We can provide detailed knowledge of team structures, long‑term strategy and workstreams, and we know precisely when firms are ready to review CVs, ensuring your details are only shared when there is genuine hiring intent and internal sign‑off has been secured or at least considered.

We do not take the scattergun approach of sending CVs to every pension team in the hope that something might arise before qualification. Instead, we offer tailored, strategic advice to put you in the strongest possible position to secure interviews. Our support includes CV drafting and review, interview preparation and guidance on the practical steps involved in a lateral move, including admission documentation.

We are currently working on a number of newly qualified pensions roles across all key UK cities, including London, Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester, Leeds, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

If you would like a confidential chat about newly qualified pension opportunities for March 2027 in any of the cities mentioned above please contact Jane Gaunt who will be able to provide you with further information.

Before moving into recruitment, Jane worked as a pension solicitor and now specialises in pension recruitment. She has over a decade of experience of moving pension solicitors at all levels nationally and will be able to support you with your next move including interview preparation and general advice about your long-term career goals.

Jane.gaunt@ardentrecruit.com
07393 198 443

*PQE level is given as a guide only. Candidates with more or less experience are welcome to apply.

This opportunity would suit an individual who enjoys the commercial mechanics behind building projects and wants to work closely with investors, developers, occupiers, funders and project stakeholders on complex, high-value matters.

Rather than focusing on disputes, the role centres on the structuring, procurement and delivery of construction projects. The successful candidate will help shape documentation, advise on project risk allocation and support clients throughout the lifecycle of significant real estate and development transactions.

The work

You can expect exposure to:

• Construction aspects of large-scale development and regeneration projects
• Drafting and negotiating building contracts, consultant appointments, warranties and related project documentation
• Advising on procurement structures and delivery models
• Supporting real estate, hospitality, living sector and mixed-use developments
• Working directly with a broad range of sophisticated clients, from property investors to developers and institutional stakeholders
• Collaborating closely with colleagues across real estate, planning, banking and corporate teams

The person

Applications are welcomed from candidates who:

• Are newly qualified or approaching qualification as a solicitor in England & Wales
• Have gained experience in non-contentious construction during their training contract
• Demonstrate strong drafting ability and commercial awareness
• Enjoy building long-term client relationships
• Take a thoughtful, practical approach to problem-solving
• Are keen to develop within a collaborative and intellectually curious environment

The opportunity

This is an excellent platform for an ambitious junior lawyer seeking meaningful client exposure from the outset, high-calibre project work and a clear route for professional development within a well-established London practice known for its strength in the built environment sector.

If you would like a confidential chat about this opportunity and to understand more about the team, please contact Jane Gaunt who will be able to provide you with further information about this position and an overview of active and more discreet opportunities available within the market at your level.

Before moving into recruitment, Jane worked as a pension solicitor and now specialises in legal recruitment. She has over a decade of experience of moving solicitors at all levels nationally and will be able to support you with your next move.

Jane.gaunt@ardentrecruit.com

07393 198 443

The team advises an enviable entrepreneurial client base of HNW and UHNW individuals, families and business owners, many with complex international footprints and closely intertwined commercial and personal interests.

The work is sophisticated, high-value and genuinely engaging — ideal for a lawyer who enjoys combining technical excellence with trusted adviser relationships.

The Opportunity

You will join a highly regarded private client team known for delivering practical, solution-driven advice on complex UK and cross-border tax and estate planning matters.

The practice benefits from deep integration with corporate, real estate, finance and disputes teams, offering a stimulating breadth of private client advisory work.

From day one, you will enjoy meaningful responsibility, within a supportive and collegiate environment that values quality, judgement and long-term client relationships.

Scope of Work

Your work will span a broad and intellectually stimulating range of matters, including:

• UK and international tax planning for individuals relocating to or from the UK, including entrepreneurs and senior executives
• Cross-border structuring for business transactions, real estate acquisitions, investments and family wealth holding vehicles
• Use of double tax treaties and international tax frameworks
• Advising on estate administration, succession and incapacity planning across multiple jurisdictions
• Founder and management equity, employment-related securities and incentive arrangements
• HMRC enquiries, disclosures and contentious tax matters
• Charitable structuring and philanthropic planning, both UK and international
• Drafting bespoke deeds, agreements and wills
• Supporting corporate, real estate, finance and disputes teams on private wealth and tax aspects of wider transactions

You will manage matters end-to-end, liaise with intermediaries such as trustees, bankers and advisers, and regularly coordinate with overseas counsel.

The Team & Culture

This is a partner-led, high-calibre team with a strong reputation for technical excellence and commercial awareness. Lawyers are encouraged to develop their own client relationships, contribute to business development and play an active role in shaping the future of the practice.

The wider firm combines City-quality work with a genuinely down-to-earth culture:

• Close partner access and minimal hierarchy
• A collaborative, inclusive working environment
• Strong commitment to diversity, wellbeing and flexible working
• High levels of trust, autonomy and professional respect

The firm continues to grow rapidly, with sustained financial performance and investment across key practice areas, making this an excellent platform for long-term career progression.

About You

You are likely to have:

• At least 6 years’ PQE in private client or tax within private practice
• Strong grounding in UK and international tax and estate planning
• Experience advising HNW/UHNW individuals and entrepreneurial clients
• A keen interest in attaining further qualifications
• Confidence managing complex matters independently while collaborating effectively with partners and peers
• An interest in business development and building lasting client relationships

Above all, you are commercially minded, personable and trusted by clients — someone who combines technical strength with judgement and discretion

Why This Role?

• High-end, intellectually stimulating private client work
• Exposure to complex international and entrepreneurial matters
• Early responsibility and genuine client ownership
• Strong partner support and mentoring
• A firm with momentum, ambition and a reputation for looking after its people

Next Steps

For a confidential discussion about this opportunity, please get in touch:

📞 07376 288 737
✉️ jon.kennedy@ardentrecruit.com

In addition to Birmingham, Leeds, Bristol and London are also working location options for this role.  Hybrid working is also very welcome.

The team advises developers, contractors, funders and public bodies on complex, high-value non-contentious construction projects, combining technical excellence with a pragmatic, commercial approach. The work is varied, impactful and genuinely interesting — with a strong focus on infrastructure and development that delivers social value.

The Role

Due to sustained growth, the team is looking to appoint an Associate or Senior Associate with a strong background in transactional, non-contentious construction.

You’ll work on major UK projects, supported by experienced, highly respected partners, while being trusted with real responsibility and direct client contact. The environment is collaborative rather than hierarchical, with a clear emphasis on developing lawyers who want to grow their practice and profile.

Your work will include:

• Drafting, negotiating and advising on a wide range of construction and project documents, including JCT and NEC forms, professional appointments and bespoke agreements
• Advising on risk, and project-specific commercial solutions, liaising with clients, funders, consultants and other stakeholders
• Contributing to know-how, training initiatives and client briefings as part of a high-performing national team

About You

You’ll be a confident non-contentious construction lawyer who enjoys problem-solving and working closely with clients.

The ideal profile includes:

• 5+ years’ PQE in transactional construction work
• The ability to manage matters autonomously while collaborating effectively with colleagues
• Confidence dealing directly with clients and counterparties
• A genuine interest in infrastructure, development and projects that make a difference locally and nationally

Why This Role?

• High-quality work without City-style burnout
• A flex-friendly, hybrid working culture built on trust
• Clear progression prospects within a growing national practice
• A supportive, approachable team where people genuinely make time for one another

Next Steps

For a confidential discussion about this opportunity, please get in touch:

📞 07376 288 737
✉️ jon.kennedy@ardentrecruit.com

This role offers exposure to complex, high-value transactions and the chance to work within a market-leading practice known for technical excellence, innovation and a supportive culture.

The Opportunity

You will join a top-tier finance practice handling sophisticated regional, national and cross-border transactions across real estate finance, leveraged finance and general corporate lending.

Acting for major financial institutions and corporate borrowers, you’ll play a key role on significant deals while developing deep sector and transactional expertise.

This is an excellent opportunity for a senior associate who enjoys complex work, values collaboration and is looking to progress within a firm that invests heavily in its people, technology and long-term career development.

The Work

You can expect a broad and stimulating workload, including:

• Advising on real estate finance, leveraged finance and general corporate lending transactions
• Supporting partners and leading on aspects of complex, high-value UK and cross-border deals
• Acting for UK clearing banks, international banks, alternative lenders and corporate borrowers
• Building trusted client relationships and contributing to business development initiatives

About You

This role would suit a solicitor who:

• Is qualified in Scotland and/or England & Wales
• Has 5+ years’ PQE in banking and finance
• Is confident drafting and negotiating finance documentation
• Is commercially minded, proactive and comfortable taking responsibility

Next Steps

If you’re a banking and finance lawyer looking to take the next step in your career within a top-tier Edinburgh team, this is a role well worth exploring.

For a confidential discussion about this opportunity, please get in touch:

📞 07376 288 737
✉️ jon.kennedy@ardentrecruit.com

This role offers high-quality, varied work, early responsibility and the chance to work closely with an experienced and supportive leadership team in a genuinely collegiate environment.

The Opportunity

You’ll join a specialist real estate disputes practice handling a broad mix of contentious property matters for developers, investors, landlords, tenants and public sector organisations.  The work is intellectually stimulating, commercially focused and practical, with a strong emphasis on achieving positive outcomes for clients.

This is a role that offers meaningful exposure: managing your own matters with appropriate, limited supervision; supporting on more complex disputes; including hearings, mediations and client management.

The Work

Your caseload will include a wide range of property dispute resolution matters, such as:

• Commercial landlord and tenant disputes (lease renewals, dilapidations, forfeiture and break options)
• Development-related disputes, including rights of light, restrictive covenants, boundary issues and easements
• Possession claims and trespass actions
• Property insolvency and enforcement work

You will also contribute to team training, mentoring and business development initiatives.

The Team

The real estate dispute resolution team is a recognised specialist group within a broader national property practice. It is known for its technical strength and collaborative way of working. You’ll be working closely with senior lawyers who are hands-on, approachable and invested in developing junior team members.

The culture is professional but down-to-earth, with an emphasis on teamwork, knowledge-sharing and giving people the space to grow.

Next Steps

If you’re a real estate disputes lawyer looking for interesting work, genuine responsibility and a healthier balance without compromising on quality, this is a role well worth exploring.

For a confidential discussion about this opportunity, please get in touch:

📞 07376 288 737
✉️ jon.kennedy@ardentrecruit.com

This role offers exposure to headline-making disputes, market-leading partners, and a genuinely supportive culture that prioritises quality work, professional development and work-life balance.

The Team

You will join a highly-ranked construction disputes practice, consistently recognised by Chambers & Partners and Legal 500, with partners individually ranked as leading practitioners.

The team works seamlessly across offices and disciplines. You will collaborate closely with transactional construction, real estate, infrastructure and public law specialists, giving you a broad and commercially grounded perspective on disputes.

The Work

You will advise on a wide range of contentious construction matters, including:

• Complex final account, loss and expense and defects claims
• Adjudications, mediations, arbitrations and High Court litigation
• PFI / PPP and major projects disputes
• High-value cladding and building safety claims, including multi-storey developments
• Infrastructure, healthcare, energy-from-waste and highways disputes
• NEC, JCT, FIDIC and bespoke contract disputes

Recent matters include nine-figure public infrastructure disputes and similarly high value adjudications for public bodies, contractors and developers.

Panel appointments mean you will work directly with local authorities, NHS Trusts, housing providers, developers, funders and contractors, often taking responsibility beyond your PQE level.

Why This Role Stands Out

• Early visibility – meaningful client responsibility and ownership of matters
• High-quality disputes work without the intensity of City billing culture
• Clear progression within a growing national team with long-term investment plans
• Hands-on partner access and structured mentoring from leading disputes specialists
• Flexible working with no rigid office-attendance requirements
• Supportive, non-hierarchical culture consistently praised by juniors and seniors alike

This is a team known for trusting its associates, encouraging autonomy, and supporting lawyers to develop into confident, well-rounded construction disputes practitioners.

About You

You will ideally have:

• 1–5 years’ PQE in construction disputes
• Experience of adjudication, arbitration or court proceedings
• Strong drafting and analytical skills
• Confidence managing matters with appropriate supervision
• A collaborative mindset and ambition to grow within a leading team

Applications are welcomed from lawyers in private practice or in-house, as well as those seeking flexible arrangements.

Culture, Balance & Benefits

This is a firm widely recognised for its exceptional work-life balance, supportive environment and people-first culture. Lawyers are encouraged to do excellent work without sacrificing wellbeing.

You can expect:

• Highly flexible hybrid working
• Transparent progression processes
• Comprehensive training and development support
• A strong wellbeing programme and inclusive culture
• Competitive benefits package

For a confidential discussion about this opportunity, please get in touch:

📞 07376 288 737
✉️ jon.kennedy@ardentrecruit.com

This role is aimed at lawyers who want genuinely interesting, varied private funds work, early responsibility, and a clear path to long-term progression — without the intensity or narrow specialism often found at some teams in the City.

The Opportunity

You will play a leading role in advising fund managers and institutional investors on sophisticated private capital structures across the full fund lifecycle, including:

• Fund structuring and formation
• International fundraising
• Secondaries and continuation vehicles
• Investor negotiations
• Ongoing operational and governance advice

The practice has a strong international footprint, working seamlessly across the UK, Europe and beyond, with close collaboration between London, Scotland, Ireland and Luxembourg.

Work That Stands Apart

This is not a “plain vanilla” private equity funds role.  The team is particularly well known for its work across infrastructure and energy, climate, sustainability and impact funds .

Much of the work involves development finance institutions, impact investors and emerging-market fund managers, including Africa-focused mandates and innovative sustainability-driven vehicles.

For lawyers motivated by purpose-led investing alongside technical excellence, this practice offers something genuinely distinctive.

Profile Sought

This role is targeted at a Managing / Senior Associate level.  You will likely be someone who:

• Has a strong track record in private capital funds work - private equity, infrastructure, real assets, debt or impact
• Confident runs transactions and manages client relationships well
• Enjoys mentoring and developing junior lawyers
• Is commercially minded, proactive and collegiate
• Wants to be visible and valued within a growing team

Prior experience must be in private funds — this role is not focused on hedge fund, retail or listed fund work

No following required; the team has a strong pipeline of work.

Why This Role May Appeal

• Breadth of work
• Meaningful responsibility, in terms of client and transactions, and developing junior lawyers in the team
• Strong partner-track visibility, in a team with a track record for internal promotions
• A more sustainable lifestyle than many City teams
• Supportive, collaborative culture with no sharp elbows

For a confidential discussion about this opportunity, please get in touch:

📞 07376 288 737
✉️ jon.kennedy@ardentrecruit.com

This role offers exposure to premium lender and borrower work, excellent partner access, and the chance to develop a well-rounded real estate finance skillset within a supportive and collegiate environment.

The Team

The practice is consistently recognised as a leading real estate finance team, advising across the full lifecycle of property-backed lending. The partners are known for their technical strength, calm commercial approach and hands-on involvement with associates.

The team acts for a broad and sophisticated client base, including:

• UK and international banks
• Alternative and challenger lenders
• Debt funds and investment vehicles
• Property developers, investors and asset managers

Work is typically high-value, often complex, and frequently cross-border in nature.

The Work

You can expect to be involved in a wide range of real estate finance matters, including:

• Investment and development finance transactions
• Acting for lenders and borrowers on secured lending
• Refinancing and restructuring of existing facilities
• Drafting and negotiating facility agreements, security documents and intercreditor arrangements

Apply Now

For a confidential discussion about this role, or to explore whether it could be the right next step for you, please contact Jon Kennedy on 07376 288 737 or via jon.kennedy@ardentrecruit.com

This the perfect opportunity to work on vital UK energy and infrastructure projects at a pivotal moment in the transition to a cleaner, more sustainable energy system.

The team is nationally recognised for its work across renewables, decarbonisation and similarly complex public-sector energy & infrastructure initiatives, combining deep sector knowledge with a practical, delivery-focused approach.

The Team

You will join a well-established team led by a deep bench of partners dedicated to the sector, each recognised in the legal directories for their expertise in energy, infrastructure and high-profile projects.

Each of these working locations offers a compelling opportunity, either to work closely alongside several colleagues or to be a key lawyer in one of the offices with fewer specialists at present.

The Work

This role offers exceptional breadth and responsibility, advising on the procurement, development and delivery of a wide range of innovative energy and infrastructure projects, including:

• Energy-from-waste and resource management projects
• District heating and local decarbonisation programmes
• Solar PV and battery storage developments
• Electric vehicle and smart energy infrastructure
• Hydrogen and carbon capture projects
• Onshore and offshore wind
• Grid connection and upgrade projects

You will work closely with clients across both the public and private sectors, including local authorities, developers, utilities and investors.

Why This Role Stands Out

• Hands-on responsibility and client exposure
• A practice recognised for its work in renewables and sustainability
• High-quality, varied mandates without the intensity of many larger international teams
• A genuinely supportive and collegiate culture
• Transparent progression and structured development support
• Hybrid working and a strong focus on wellbeing and flexibility

For a confidential discussion about this opportunity, or the energy, infrastructure & projects market more generally, please get in touch:

📞 07376 288 737
✉️ jon.kennedy@ardentrecruit.com

This is an excellent opportunity for a banking lawyer looking to work on high-quality, varied finance transactions, within a genuinely supportive and progressive environment, to join the team in any of the above locations in the North, Midlands or South.

The Opportunity

You will join a well-established, client-facing banking practice known for its commercial insight and pragmatic approach. The team is widely recognised as a trusted adviser on complex and fast-moving transactions and is instructed by a strong roster of UK financial institutions, challenger banks, specialist lenders, private equity houses and corporates.

Scope of Work

The role offers exposure to a broad and interesting mix of banking and finance matters, including:

• General banking and corporate lending transactions
• Acquisition and leveraged finance, acting for sponsors, management teams and funders
• Real estate finance, including investment and development work
• Project finance and structured finance matters
• Asset-based lending and alternative funding structures

You will be encouraged to take ownership of matters, manage key workstreams, and play an active role in building long-term client relationships.

Why This Role?

• A highly rated banking practice within a UK Top 50 firm whose culture has been described as friendly, collaborative and non-hierarchical, with a strong emphasis on teamwork
• Genuine commitment to work-life balance, flexible working and hybrid arrangements
• Excellent training, mentoring and long-term career development opportunities

For a confidential discussion about this opportunity, or the banking & finance market more generally, please get in touch:

📞 07376 288 737
✉️ jon.kennedy@ardentrecruit.com

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced private client lawyer to work within a top-rated, full-service private client team, advising a sophisticated domestic and international client base on complex wealth, tax and succession matters.

The Opportunity

You will join a large, specialist private client group with a strong reputation for technical excellence, sensitivity and long-term client relationships. The team advises UK and non-UK individuals and families, family offices, trustees and others on a wide range of private wealth matters, often with a significant cross-border element.

The role offers meaningful responsibility on high-quality, intellectually engaging work, with close partner and client interaction, within a genuinely supportive and collegiate environment.

Scope of Work

The successful candidate can expect to be involved in:

• UK and international tax, trust and succession planning
• Advising high net worth and ultra-high net worth individuals and families
• Estate planning, wills, trusts and lifetime structuring
• Cross-border wealth and succession issues, including residence and domicile matters
• Asset protection and long-term family governance planning
• Working collaboratively with colleagues across tax, disputes, family and other related practice areas
• Developing trusted client relationships and contributing to business development initiatives

Working Environment

This is a firm widely recognised for its supportive culture, with an emphasis on training and genuine work-life balance, including the freedom to work remotely for a significant proportion of the week.

For a confidential discussion

About this opportunity, or the wider market, please get in touch:

07376 288 737

jon.kennedy@ardentrecruit.com

This role is ideally suited to an ambitious associate looking for high-quality, big-ticket work, genuine responsibility, and the chance to develop within a high-performing yet collegiate environment.

The Opportunity

You will join a large, nationally recognised construction practice with a strong brand domestically and abroad, working alongside leading partners and specialists across the UK and overseas.

The team advises across the full lifecycle of complex construction and engineering projects, spanning both the private and public sectors.  The work is varied, sophisticated and commercially focused, with regular exposure to flagship developments, infrastructure projects and major real estate-led schemes, typically involving several stakeholders and multiple jurisdictions.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Advising on a broad range of non-contentious construction matters, supporting clients across diverse sectors, including commercial and residential development, living accommodation, energy, infrastructure, transport and utilities
• Advising developers, funders, sponsors, employers, contractors, consultants and professional teams on procurement strategies, various construction contracts, risk allocation and dispute avoidance
• Working closely with clients to build trusted relationships and deliver pragmatic, commercially astute advice
• Collaborating with colleagues in Real Estate, Banking, Projects and Energy on complex, multi-disciplinary mandates

Why Consider This Role?

• Exposure to market-leading, high-profile construction work typically associated with top-tier City of London practices, while being based in the North West or Yorkshire
• A strong reputation for training, development and progression, with real investment in mid and senior-level lawyers
• A culture consistently described as supportive, down-to-earth and non-hierarchical
• Access to excellent internal support, legal tech and knowledge resources
• A genuinely sustainable platform offering high-quality work without sacrificing work-life balance

For a confidential discussion

About this opportunity, or the wider market, please get in touch:

07376 288 737

jon.kennedy@ardentrecruit.com

This role offers early responsibility, exceptional training and exposure to market-leading insolvency litigation, alongside some non-contentious restructuring work for those candidates keen to retain a mixed work profile.

The Opportunity

You will work closely with highly regarded practitioners, with deep connections in the R&I market, supported by a well-resourced international team.

The practice sits at the cutting edge of the distressed cycle, advising on landmark cases that frequently involve cross-border elements, novel legal issues and strategic litigation.

The role is ideal for a solicitor keen to develop their own profile, through exposure to high-value litigious restructuring & insolvency mandates.

The Work

The team advises across the full spectrum of restructuring and insolvency, including contentious insolvency litigation and investigations, related fraud, misfeasance and asset recovery claims, distressed M&A and restructuring transactions, and formal insolvency processes (administrations, liquidations, bankruptcies and voluntary arrangements).

Much of the work is multi-jurisdictional, often involving offshore structures, complex funding arrangements and coordination with overseas counsel.

The practice acts for an impressive client base including insolvency practitioners, asset-based finance providers, banks and alternative lenders, private equity, corporates, company directors.

Platform & Culture

You will join a globally integrated disputes and restructuring platform, with access to colleagues across Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific. The wider firm has invested heavily in its disputes capability and continues to grow internationally, while maintaining its key weighting in London.

The culture is described as collaborative, supportive and intellectually rigorous, with a strong emphasis on learning, knowledge-sharing and long-term career development.

For a confidential discussion

About this opportunity, or the wider R&I/legal market, in London or elsewhere in the UK, please get in touch:

07376 288 737

jon.kennedy@ardentrecruit.com

A rare opportunity has arisen for an experienced Real Estate lawyer to join a market-leading residential development practice in Bristol, advising on some of the most significant affordable housing and Build-to-Rent schemes in the UK.

This is a senior hire within a nationally recognised team, offering exposure to high-value, complex residential development work, early responsibility, and the chance to play a visible role in a growing, strategically important practice.

The Opportunity

You will join a highly regarded residential development team that advises developers, investors and registered providers across the full lifecycle of major residential schemes — from site acquisition through to delivery, funding, management and exit.

This senior role focuses on affordable housing and BTR/PRS transactions, including joint ventures, s106 arrangements and large-scale portfolio acquisitions, with scope to shape client relationships and influence the direction of the practice.

The team works seamlessly across offices, supported by leading specialists in construction, planning, tax, litigation and infrastructure.

The Team & Platform

You’ll be part of a large, well-resourced commercial real estate department with deep expertise. The residential development practice is supported by:

• Dedicated affordable housing specialists
• Site set-up and plots teams
• An award-winning in-house legal technology and innovation function

The wider firm has made sustained investment in growth, innovation and international expansion, while maintaining a reputation for being approachable and collaborative.

Career Development

This firm is known for investing heavily in its lawyers’ careers. You can expect:

• Clear progression criteria based on contribution and potential, not just PQE
• Meaningful role in client development
• High-quality technical training and tailored skills development
• A culture that encourages long-term careers rather than risk short-term burn

Culture & Working Environment

• Inclusive, down-to-earth and low-hierarchy culture
• Strong focus on wellbeing, sustainability and flexible working
• Modern offices with excellent facilities
• Hybrid working model that balances collaboration with autonomy
• Consistently praised for work/life balance relative to peer firms

For a confidential discussion

About this opportunity, or the wider market, please get in touch:

07376 288 737

jon.kennedy@ardentrecruit.com

This role sits within a contentious offering that is expanding rapidly following a series of strategic hires and continued growth in high-value instructions.

You will work at the forefront of construction disputes, advising on complex, technically challenging matters for top-calibre clients across the UK and internationally, while enjoying genuine responsibility and ownership from an early stage.

The Team

You will join a contentious construction team that forms part of one of the UK’s largest construction law practices, consistently recognised as a market leader by the Legal 500 and Chambers directories.

The team advises across a broad range of sectors including infrastructure projects, energy & utilities, transportation, commercial real estate

Work is often high-value and strategically important, offering associates exposure to headline-making disputes and long-term client relationships.

Representative Experience

Recent matters include advising on:

• Project delivery challenges under a £100m+ contract relating to upgrades across multiple power plants
• One of the UK’s first PFI projects to be handed back to the public sector
• Alleged defects at a £100m+ wind farm for a major renewable energy generator
• Defence of a UK-listed company facing multiple claims under parent company guarantees across energy, maritime and defence sectors
• EPC disputes concerning a large ground-mounted solar PV project
• Final account disputes arising from the construction of a THP Plant
• Settlement of disputes relating to complex fire-safety technology at a manufacturing plant
• Claims for defective works linked to a multi-million-pound theatre refurbishment

Nature of the Work

The team supports clients through the full spectrum of construction dispute resolution, including:

• Adjudication
• Domestic and international arbitration
• Technology and Construction Court litigation
• Pre-Action Protocol processes
• Strategic project-life-cycle advice and dispute avoidance
• Expert determination and conciliation
• Mediation

You will gain exposure to a wide range of dispute resolution techniques, supported by experienced practitioners recognised as leaders in their field.

Culture

The firm offers a highly professional, progressive working environment, combining top-quality work with a genuine focus on wellbeing and career sustainability.

Collaboration is embedded in the culture, and lawyers are trusted, supported and encouraged to thrive.

For a confidential discussion about this opportunity, or the construction disputes market more generally, in Scotland or elsewhere in the UK, please get in touch:

07376 288 737
jon.kennedy@ardentrecruit.com

This role offers exposure to high quality, varied non-contentious restructuring and insolvency work, within a collaborative and growing team.

The team is known for being friendly and highly commercial, with a strong reputation among insolvency practitioners, lenders and corporates.

The Opportunity

You will join a specialist team advising on complex, time-critical and strategically important matters, often involving several stakeholders and cross-border elements.

The practice acts for lenders, companies, directors, insolvency professionals, investors and individuals, offering genuinely rounded exposure to the restructuring and insolvency landscape.

Amongst others, you will work closely with a senior practitioner with a broad background spanning cross-border restructurings, high-profile insolvencies and risk advisory work, providing exceptional technical training and commercial insight for associates looking to deepen their expertise.

Representative Work Examples

• Corporate restructurings of solvent and insolvent companies
• Debt restructurings, refinancings, debt-for-equity swaps and distressed investing
• Distressed M&A, loan-to-own strategies and strategic acquisitions from insolvency practitioners
• Schemes of arrangement and restructuring plans
• Pre-formal insolvency advice and contingency planning
• Directors’ duties and liability advice in distressed scenarios
• Formal insolvency processes (CVAs, administrations, liquidations and bankruptcies)
• Security reviews and enforcement strategy

The team regularly advises on high-profile and sensitive mandates across sectors including retail, financial services, healthcare, manufacturing and professional services.

About You

• England & Wales qualified solicitor, 2+ PQE
• Proficiency assisting with all stages of restructuring and insolvency matters
• Experience predominantly in non-contentious R&I work
• Trained at a large regional, national or City firm
• Strong technical skills combined with commercial awareness
• Confident communicator with excellent drafting and organisational skills
• Willing to take on early responsibility and develop client relationships
• A collaborative team player, comfortable working across offices

For a confidential discussion about this opportunity, or the restructuring and insolvency market more generally (in London or elsewhere in the UK), please get in touch:

07376 288 737
jon.kennedy@ardentrecruit.com

This is a senior-level hire, working closely with one of the market’s most respected real estate finance partners on some of the most sophisticated property-backed financings in the UK market.

The Opportunity

This role offers exposure to premium, big-ticket real estate finance work across a broad range of asset classes, acting for a blue-chip client base that includes institutional lenders, debt funds, developers and real estate investors.

The practice advises on both development and investment finance, handling transactions on a bilateral and syndicated basis, and is equally strong on lender-side and borrower-side mandates.  Recent work includes multi-hundred-million-pound development facilities, acquisition financings for major logistics and retail assets, and complex refinancing and portfolio restructurings for specialist real estate investors.

You will be trusted with a high degree of autonomy, while also benefiting from close collaboration with a partner known for a highly commercial, pragmatic and delivery-focused approach.

About You

• England & Wales qualified with significant post-qualification experience in real estate finance gained with a highly-regarded firm
• Strong technical grounding across development and investment lending
• Comfortable running complex matters and interfacing directly with sophisticated clients
• Keen to take on a visible role within a highly ranked, growing team

The Platform

This is a firm with a deep real estate heritage, a strong UK presence and an international outlook. It offers the stability of an established brand combined with the agility of a modern, sector-focused practice.  Lawyers are encouraged to take ownership of their careers, build client relationships and contribute meaningfully to the wider business.

For a confidential discussion about this role, and/or the market in general, in London or elsewhere in the UK, please get in touch:
07376 288 737
jon.kennedy@ardentrecruit.com

This is a growth hire, driven by increasing demand across infrastructure, energy and regeneration projects nationwide.

The role offers the chance to work on some of the most complex and high-profile planning matters in the UK, within a collaborative, progressive environment that genuinely values both quality of work and quality of life.

The Team

The planning team operates at the pinnacle of the legal market, advising both public and private sector clients across the full lifecycle of major development and infrastructure projects.

The group works on a fully integrated, cross-office basis and is widely recognised for its strategic input on nationally significant and politically sensitive schemes.

Lawyers in the team are known for combining deep technical expertise with a pragmatic, solutions-focused approach.

The Work

You will be involved in a broad mix of advisory and contentious planning work, which may include:

• Town and country planning and development consenting
• Compulsory purchase matters
• Nationally significant infrastructure projects
• Environmental impact assessment and related regulations
• Inquiries, judicial review and related public law challenges

The practice is particularly active across energy, transport, utilities and the built environment, including major infrastructure, regeneration and net-zero related projects.

Backgrounds Considered

The team is open-minded on background and welcomes applications from lawyers currently in private practice, local government, in-house roles and from leading planning teams in relevant overseas jurisdictions.

What They’re Looking For

• 3+ years’ PQE in planning law or closely related public law work
• Experience managing complex, high-value matters
• Strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative mindset
• Intellectual curiosity and a desire to work on nationally important projects

Why This Role?

• Exposure to nationally significant, often precedent-setting projects
• Clear, transparent progression framework
• Hybrid and flexible working as standard
• A professional but genuinely supportive culture where people stay long-term

For a confidential discussion about this role, and/or the market in general, in Bristol or elsewhere in the UK:
07376 288 737
jon.kennedy@ardentrecruit.com

The Opportunity

An excellent opportunity has arisen for a Housing Management Solicitor / Associate to join the highly regarded and growing Housing team at one of the UK’s leading public sector and commercial law firms, in Birmingham, Leeds or Bristol.

Housing is a core area for the firm, and the team is recognised nationally for its depth of expertise and quality of work.

This role offers exposure to a wide range of registered providers and public sector clients, alongside genuine career progression and flexible working.

The Team

You will join one of the largest Housing Management teams in the UK, operating as a national team across multiple offices. The team advises many of the country’s largest housing associations, as well as local authorities, care providers, NHS bodies, universities and charities.

The Role

You will advise social landlords and other clients on a broad range of housing management matters, including:

• Possession proceedings
• Breach of tenancy
• Injunctions (including access for gas and electrical safety)
• Disrepair claims
• Equality Act and Mental Capacity Act issues
• Leasehold management advice
• Service charge disputes

About You

You are likely to be:

• A qualified solicitor or associate with experience in housing management
• Confident managing your own caseload and working directly with clients
• Organised, with attention to detail
• A strong communicator with excellent drafting and analytical skills
• Collaborative, commercially minded and committed to the housing sector

Candidates from local authority or in-house housing backgrounds who are keen to move into private practice are also encouraged to apply.

Why Apply?

• Join a top-tier, nationally recognised housing practice
• Hybrid working with genuine flexibility
• Clear progression framework and strong learning & development support
• Supportive, values-led culture with a real emphasis on wellbeing

For more information, please get in touch via 07376 288 737 or jon.kennedy@ardentrecruit.com

The Opportunity

You will join a leading Energy & Infrastructure team advising on some of the UK’s most significant and innovative energy and decarbonisation projects. The team is experiencing sustained growth, driven by increased demand across renewables, net-zero infrastructure and public-private energy initiatives.

The role offers exposure to complex, high-value projects across the full project lifecycle, with meaningful responsibility and the chance to build deep sector expertise.

Work You’ll Be Doing

You can expect a broad and stimulating workload, including:

• Advising on renewable energy projects (solar, wind, battery storage and emerging technologies)
• Supporting district energy, heat networks and energy-from-waste schemes
• Drafting and negotiating project and commercial contracts, including development agreements, supply and offtake arrangements
• Advising on project structuring, procurement and delivery models
• Working with public sector bodies, developers, investors and utilities
• Collaborating closely with specialists in planning, property, procurement, finance and regulatory law

This is a genuinely end-to-end projects role, ideal for lawyers who want variety, responsibility and sector depth rather than being siloed into a narrow area.

Why This Role Stands Out

• Top quality work: Advising on nationally important and often pioneering energy projects
• Strong reputation: A well-ranked team recognised in leading legal directories
• Real career progression: Clear pathways to senior associate and partnership, supported by structured development and mentoring
• Early responsibility: Direct client contact and involvement in strategic decision-making
• Collaborative culture: A friendly, collegiate team where expertise is shared and contributions are valued
• Hybrid working: Sensible flexibility with a strong Birmingham office base
• Purpose-driven practice: A focus on sustainability, decarbonisation and responsible infrastructure

Who We’re Looking For

You will be:

• A solicitor with experience in energy, projects, infrastructure or commercial contracts
• Between 2–5 years PQE, or a senior associate with strong technical foundations
• Comfortable handling complex documentation and managing multiple workstreams
• Commercially minded, with a genuine interest in the energy transition and net-zero agenda
• A strong communicator who enjoys working as part of a team and building client relationships

What’s On Offer

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• High-quality, intellectually engaging work
• Long-term career investment and visibility within the team
• A supportive, inclusive and forward-thinking working environment
• The chance to play a meaningful role in shaping the UK’s energy future

Interested?
Please get in touch in confidence via 07376 288 737 or jon.kennedy@ardentrecruit.com

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

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