Senior Associate, Real Estate

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer is a world-leading global law firm, where our ambition is to help you achieve your goals.

 

Exceptional client service and the pursuit of excellence are at our core. We invest in and care about our client relationships, which is why so many are longstanding. We enjoy breaking new ground, as we have for over 170 years.

 

As a fully integrated transatlantic and transpacific firm, we are where you need us to be. Our footprint is extensive and committed across the world’s largest markets, key financial centres and major growth hubs.

 

At our best tackling complexity and navigating change, we work alongside you on demanding litigation, exacting regulatory work and complex public and private market transactions. We are recognised as leading in these areas.

 

We are immersed in the sectors and challenges that impact you. We are recognised as standing apart in energy, infrastructure and resources. And we’re focused on areas of growth that affect every business across the world.

 

All of this is achieved by supporting the growth of our people, who help us deliver on our ambition – which is to help you achieve yours.

 

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer: Your goals. Our ambition

The Opportunity

Practice group / team:

Main areas covered | investment | development | disposals |  mergers and acquisitions | leasing | joint ventures | large-scale regeneration | infrastructure and energy development projects | real estate financings and restructurings | pre-letting

Key clients includes | Aberdeen | Almacantar | Ballymore | Blackstone | British Land | Brookfield | Canary Wharf Group | CPPIB | Global Switch | Goldman Sachs | Cain | Hines | TfL | Nuveen

Directory rankings include | Top band for Chambers 2026 (Real Estate: over £150m) | Legal 500 2026 Real Estate Tier 1 for Investment,  Development and Corporate Occupiers

Awards include | Property Team of the Year, The British Legal Awards 2022 | Real Estate Team of the Year, Legal Business Awards 2022 | Real Estate Team, The Lawyer Awards 2023  | Property Week Legal Team 2024 | EG Law Firm of the Year 2025

                                                                                    

Our core real estate practice in London comprises 11 Partners, 3 Of Counsel and 42 Associates, and is led by Julian Pollock.

Our award winning international real estate practice has a reputation for executing the largest and most complex real estate deals with accuracy and at speed.

We provide advice on all aspects of general commercial property including investment, restructuring, development, acquisitions, disposals, corporate occupiers, PPP, corporate support work and real estate finance. The group also has first-class standalone planning, dispute resolution and construction practices.

Dedicated real estate group widely recognised as a market leader. Experienced in all aspects of property work for a diverse range of clients, including institutional investors, leading developers and public sector bodies. Instructed on many high-value and high-profile deals in the market, as well as handling major urban regeneration work. Widely respected for its ability to complete structured transactions that feature a blend of corporate, finance and land issues.

‘‘They offer a large, multidisciplinary team capable of handling all aspects of complex transactions. The team culture is excellent, and they work well across practice areas.’

LEGAL 500 UK 2025
Commercial property: Corporate Occupiers

"They provide comprehensive and expert advice and have in-depth knowledge on the latest deals in the market, enabling them to advise on the best negotiating positions.“

CHAMBERS UK 2025
Real estate: £150 million and above

The strength, reputation and diversity of our practice is demonstrated by the following current and recent highlights, advising:

• Allianz Real Estate on the creation of a student accommodation real estate joint venture with Greystar Real Estate Partners. Chapter Student Housing business comprises nine investment and development properties in key Central London locations

• Aberdeen Standard Investments on the sale of Churchill Square Brighton to Ingka, the largest UK shopping centre sale post-COVID

• MCR on its £275m acquisition of the BT Tower

• Advising Agratas, a global battery business within the Tata Group, which has been established to develop gigafactories for the manufacture of sustainable battery solutions.

• Related Argent on its major regeneration scheme for Tottenham Hale in London

• British Land on their Canada Water development, on the management of Broadgate Estate and together with their joint venture partner on the sale of 5 Broadgate to CK Asset Holdings for £1billion

• Brookfield on numerous UK investments and financing transactions including on the acquisition of CityPoint Tower, London, the pre-letting of 100 Bishopsgate, London and the development of London Wall Place

• Citibank on various acquisitions in Canary Wharf and on the major redevelopment and fit out of Citibank's European HQ building, Citigroup Tower at 25 Canada Square

• Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP) on the creation of a £500 million 'build-to-rent' (BTR) residential property joint venture with Long Harbour

Primary objectives:

• Take a visible, senior role on matters, delivering technically excellent, commercial and client-centred advice on complex real estate matters. This includes taking responsibility for significant workstreams and, where appropriate, leading matters day to day.

• Build genuine and lasting client relationships by understanding our clients’ businesses, anticipating needs, communicating clearly and adding value beyond the immediate matter.

• Lead, motivate, and develop high-performing matter teams through effective delegation, coaching, feedback and inclusive working practices.

• Contribute to the growth, reputation and collective success of the Real Estate practice and the wider firm through collaboration, business development, knowledge sharing and innovation.

• Make an effective contribution to the firm’s work by aiming to meet and exceed target hours.

• Use AI, technology, and process improvements to improve the efficiency, quality and consistency of delivery.

Key responsibilities:

• Role-specific - this role will entail a broad range of transactional real estate work, including investment, restructuring, development, acquisitions, disposals, corporate support work and real estate finance

• Manage work to support optimal utilisation; assist senior lawyers as required, acting as lead lawyer, where appropriate; delegate and provide feedback to juniors and communicate progress on tasks to supervisor and team members, consulting and offering solutions on difficult technical client issues; and manage the billing process as appropriate.

• Manage, develop and strengthen client relationships through anticipating client needs and expectations; and provide prompt responses and updates on progress.

• Support the firm and others - establish effective relationships with individuals and groups, across the global network; uphold the firm’s values; contribute to the firm’s initiatives (eg corporate social responsibility and diversity and inclusion activities); mentor and support juniors; raise profile by being involved with external bodies and supporting and attending marketing/industry events; and assist with internal training and preparation of legal precedents.

• Comply with risk requirements, firm policies and all relevant professional responsibilities and legislation and contribute to billing, engagement and client acceptance processes.

Qualifications, skills and experience

• Significant post qualification experience in high-quality transactional real estate work, operating at Senior/ Managing Associate level.

• Extensive experience across real estate development, investment, acquisitions and disposals required

• Admitted to practice in England & Wales, or qualified in another jurisdiction with recent transactional experience within the UK market

• Solid knowledge of chosen area of law and industry sector(s).

• Excellent technical legal skills, including sophisticated drafting, negotiation, transaction management, risk identification and concise communication of complex issues.

• Excellent academic record

• Experience supervising, coaching and giving feedback to junior lawyers and contributing positively to an inclusive team.

• A client-focused and collaborative approach, with evidence of building trusted relationships and contributing to business development.

• Good understanding of law firm profitability and key drivers for financial efficiency; and ability to help manage costs and budgets.

• An innovative mindset, curious about AI and emerging technologies. A genuine passion for advancing legal delivery with technology and a willingness to be a ‘super-user’ within the real estate group

Team

Real EstateFull time

Location

London

Contract type

Permanent Contract

Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to attracting people from all backgrounds and creating a respectful and inclusive culture where everyone thrives. We see this as essential to our success, including our ability to innovate and achieve sustained high performance. This is a key part of our Values—Human, Bold, and Outstanding.