Solicitor​/Associate

Main information

Term Type:
Permanent Fulltime:
True External Department:
Property Disputes Location Text:
Ipswich, Norwich, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Sevenoaks

About us Birketts is a full service, UK Top 50 law firm. With a heritage spanning 160 years, we have more than 700 lawyers and legal professionals and over 600 staff based in Bristol, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Ipswich, London, Norwich and Sevenoaks. We advise businesses, government and public sector organisations and individuals in the UK and internationally across four principal practice groups:
Real Estate, Corporate Services, Dispute Resolution and Private Client.

We are defined by our Next Level Law proposition. We work with our clients as a proactive partner, horizon scanning and thinking ahead to the changes, challenges or opportunities that they may face.

Next Level Law is also applied to our people. Our collegiate culture means everyone is encouraged to achieve their next level in everything they do.  Roll On Friday  recently ranked us as the 6th best law firm to work at in 2026.With our ambition to succeed, comes a strong desire to make a positive contribution to the communities we serve, and we are committed to delivering the objectives set out in our ESG strategy.

Diversity plays an integral part in all that we do, with female partners comprising 45% of our partnership.

The team you will join

Our Property Disputes Team sits within our wider Dispute Resolution Division and acts for a wide range of clients including private individuals, partnerships, trusts, registered social landlords and corporate clients in both the public and private sectors.

The work you will be doing

Drafting and reviewing tenancy agreements and advising on occupational arrangements

Drafting, reviewing and serving notices

Advising on possession options and implications of relevant legislation to the private rented sector

Preparing and reviewing pleadings, witness statements, and settlement documents.

Preparing instructions to Counsel Conducting legal research and preparing clear, concise advice notes for clients and senior team members

Keeping up to date with legislative changes in the sector

Attending court hearings, mediations, and negotiations as appropriate.

Manage a caseload of residential letting matters, working under supervision of experienced solicitors

Attending appropriate business development opportunities

Working to deadlines

Maintaining accurate time-costing procedures

Ensuring compliance with file management

Proactively support other members of the team and to provide cover as and when necessary Please note that this job profile is not an exhaustive list of duties but merely an outline of the key components of the role. You may be required by your line manager to take on additional responsibilities when requested.

What we are looking forLaw degree or equivalent experience

Demonstrable interest in and/or knowledge of relevant law and legal procedure relating to residential lettings/private rented sector

Ability to undertake legal work requiring technical and procedural understanding

Competence in accurately recording time and understanding chargeable work Strong legal research and investigative skills

Advanced written and verbal communication skills

Ability to analyse information and present findings clearly and precisely

Strong attention to detail to produce work documentation which is consistently of a high standard

Professional integrity and a commitment to providing excellent client service

To be competent in using Microsoft Word, Excel, time recording software, case management, Outlook and digital dictation

Hybrid Working Birketts is a flexible business which has embraced a hybrid working model where our colleagues enjoy a mix of home and office working. This role attracts a split of 60% office days and 40% working from home days per week.

We welcome applications from people looking for flexible, agile, and part-time roles and we are happy to explore your preferred working patterns as part of your application. Benefits As a Birketts colleague, you will be eligible to receive a wide range of benefits:25 days holiday (FTE) plus Bank Holidays Long Service holiday award – 1 extra week every 10 years continuous service

Private Healthcare with BUPA (offered after probation is passed)
Scottish Widows Pension Scheme (5% employer / 5% Employee)
Staff Profit Share and Individual Performance Bonus Scheme Salary sacrifice (Pensions, Staff Profit Share)
Life Assurance - 4 x salary / Permanent Health Insurance Paid CSR Day Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Leave Subsidised gym membership

Electric car scheme

Dress for your Day Policy You can find out more on our website:
Inclusivity and Culture At Birketts, our culture is driven by ambition and a commitment to positively impact all the communities we serve. We are dedicated to the success, development, and wellbeing of our colleagues, helping them achieve their goals and seize the opportunities that come with our growth. Birketts is committed to being an…