Senior Associate​/Legal Director - Leasehold Enfranchisement

Department: Dispute Resolution and Litigation

Employment Type: Permanent
- Full Time

Location: Exeter

The Property Disputes Team

We provide a fully integrated real estate dispute resolution legal service for clients which works closely alongside our national projects, real estate, construction and litigation teams.

Our practice has extensive experience of acting for public and private sector commercial clients on a wide range of real estate disputes in principal areas such as residential leasehold management, development, institutional investment and commercial landlord and tenant.

We have established a leading, national real estate litigation practice, which delivers high quality, practical and commercial real estate dispute resolution services. The practice combines work for clients generated within the group as well as for wider clients of the firm. Intra team collaboration at Trowers is a key part of our culture and the approach taken within the property litigation team is no exception.

The opportunity

The leasehold enfranchisement team currently comprises two Partners, two Associates, three Paralegals, and the support of a Trainee Solicitor, Solicitor Apprentice and Legal Assistant.

We act for a wide range of landlords on lease extension, collective enfranchisement and right to manage (RTM) claims as well as advising on the application of the legislation on regeneration and development schemes and on the rights of first refusal legislation. Statutory claims by leaseholders are often subject to strict timetables making it essential that there is an awareness of the rights being exercised, responses required and effect on value.

We also act for leaseholders – individually and collectively – on lease extensions, collective enfranchisement and right to manage claims.

Having experience of acting for both sides in this area ensures that we understand how best to achieve our clients' objectives in the most cost effective and timely manner.

An experienced Senior Associate is required to support the enfranchisement team which sits within Property Disputes. Work will involve acting for large estate landlords, investors, developers and tenants in respect of:

• Statutory lease extension claims
• Collective enfranchisement claims
• Right to Manage claims
• Tenants' rights of first refusal
• Enfranchisement reform
• Advising a mixed client base from both the public and private sector on enfranchisement issues;
• Managing statutory lease extension and enfranchisement claims, acting for both landlords and leaseholders;
• Negotiate settlements with opposing parties and advising clients on any proposed terms in enfranchisement claims;
• Building and maintaining effective client relationships;
• Active participation in marketing initiatives;
• Participating in firm-wide, office and departmental training sessions;
• Preparing reports to clients;
• Participating in firm-wide, office and departmental training sessions;
• Ensuring files are managed in compliance with Lexcel procedures;

The firm has a competency framework for Senior Associates and in particular for this role we require:

• Candidates with at least 5+ years relevant post qualification experience, or equivalent, gained from a reputable firm;
• Strong knowledge of freehold and leasehold enfranchisement is essential;
• Drive and enthusiasm and client focus.
• Commercial awareness;
• Ability to work to deadlines;
• Strong technical and communication skills (both spoken and written) including the ability to write in plain English;
• Good interpersonal skills, presenting and client facing skills.

Our benefits include, an annual bonus scheme, GPP Pension Scheme with Aviva. We also…