The role
We have a fantastic opportunity for a junior Solicitor (ideally 0-2 PQE) to join our established Real Estate Development team in Nottingham.
Working closely with Real Estate Partner Simon Taylor and you will support a varied client base on complex commercial development, regeneration, strategic land and asset management matters.
The team’s work includes commercial and mixed-use schemes, logistics and industrial developments, and strategic residential land assembly. You will contribute across the lifecycle of development projects, from assembling and acquiring land through to funding, development, occupation and disposal. Part of the role will involve supporting clients in relation to their investment property portfolios.
This is a hands-on role offering direct collaboration with our experienced lawyers, early client contact and the opportunity to develop strong technical and commercial judgement. You will work alongside colleagues across Gateley’s national Real Estate practice and wider built environment businesses. Initially the successful candidate will also work on clients investment portfolios in order to develop essential commercial real estate skills.
What you will be doing
You’ll work alongside experienced lawyers on complex, commercially significant real estate development projects. Depending on your experience, you’ll have the opportunity to:
- Advise on commercial, residential and mixed-use developments.
- Support strategic land transactions, including promotion, option and collaboration agreements.
- Work on site assembly, acquisitions, disposals and regeneration projects.
- Draft and negotiate leases, licences and other asset management documentation.
- Draft and negotiate development agreements, joint ventures and profit share arrangements.
- Advise on development finance, forward funding, investment and pre-let transactions.
- Undertake due diligence and manage appropriate aspects of transactions.
- Collaborate with specialists across planning, construction, finance and tax.
What the role offers
You’ll join a supportive, highly regarded team where you can:
- Develop specialist expertise in real estate development and strategic land.
- Work on complex projects with genuine commercial impact.
- Learn directly from experienced partners and senior lawyers.
- Take on meaningful responsibility as your experience grows.
- Strengthen your client relationships and commercial profile.
- Build a long-term career with a clear and supported pathway towards partnership.
The team
Our Nottingham Real Estate Development team has an outstanding reputation that acts on complex real estate development, strategic land, finance, investment and joint venture matters. Its work spans regeneration, commercial and mixed-use schemes, logistics and industrial development, and strategic residential land.
You will also have access to Gateley Built Environment, our specialist non-legal property business. This unique partnership gives us a distinct competitive edge, enabling us to deliver seamless, commercially focused support to property investment and development clients.
You’ll be joining a friendly, supportive and highly collaborative team where knowledge-sharing and professional development are actively encouraged. Working closely with partners and senior colleagues, you’ll benefit from hands-on mentoring and guidance, while also having the opportunity to support and develop more junior team members as your own experience grows.
You'll be joining a team that combines high-quality work with genuine career opportunity. Working closely with experienced partners, you'll receive the support, exposure and responsibility needed to accelerate your development, with a clear route to progression for those who are ambitious and committed to building a long-term career. As the team continues to grow, there is a realistic and well-supported pathway to partnership for individuals who want to play a key role in its future success.
The person
We’re keen to hear from ambitious solicitors who are newly qualified or have up to two years’ post-qualification experience and are looking to take the next step in their career. This may also suit a highly experienced legal executive. Whether you already have exposure to development and strategic land matters as, or you’ve built a solid foundation in commercial real estate as a paralegal or legal executive, and are looking to develop a specialist expertise, this role offers an excellent opportunity to work on high-profile projects, learn from leading experts, and accelerate your professional growth.
Candidates will be able to demonstrate the following:
- Qualified, or expecting to qualify, as a solicitor or legal executive within commercial real estate in England and Wales.
- Knowledgeable in development and strategic land matters would be advantageous, including acquisitions, disposals, development agreements, joint ventures, finance, regeneration projects and landlord and tenant work.
- A clear communicator with strong legal analysis and attention to detail.
- A proactive and commercially curious individual who takes ownership of their work, communicates with confidence, and builds strong, trusted relationships with clients and colleagues alike.
- An organised and dependable team player who enjoys tackling complex challenges, contributes positively to the wider team, and brings a forward-thinking, pragmatic approach while knowing when to seek support.
- Genuinely interested in development, strategic land and the wider built environment.
We would not expect a candidate at this level to have experience across every area. We are equally interested in their technical foundations, commercial curiosity and appetite to learn.