Job Description

The role

We have an excellent opportunity for an Associate to join our growing collegiate and well regarded Real Estate Dispute Resolution team. The team advise funders, landlords, tenants, developers, investors, high net worth individuals, hoteliers and retailers on a wide range of commercial and residential issues.


The team's strategy rests on 4 workstreams:

Development and Neighbourly rights

- Building Safety, Party Wall etc. Act 1996, Boundary disputes, trespass and adverse possession, Rights of Light, Access to Neighbouring Land Act, Restrictive covenants, Easements and interruption/diversion, Defective Premises Act 1972, Nuisance, Utilities

Residential

- Individual enfranchisement, Collective enfranchisement, Right to manage, Right of first refusal, Breach of user covenants, Landlord possession claims, Chargee possession claims and exercising power of sale, Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996, Residential service charge disputes and dispensations, Consumer rights and protections, Co-ownership and estoppel, Enforcement of residential tenancies and leaseholds, Compliance with residential tenancy regulations

Commercial asset management -

Business lease renewal, Forfeiture and relief from forfeiture, Dilapidations claims, Site clearance and vacant possession, Break notices, Contested alienation (assignment and underletting), Contested alterations and improvements, Rent review arbitrations, Property insolvency (inc. CVAs, administrations, liquidations, disclaimer, dissolution and bona vacantia), Commercial service charge disputes, Guarantees and AGAs, Commercial rent arrears recovery (CRAR)

Property Contract Disputes

- Contested completion and deposit disputes, Specific performance, Injunctions, Building defects claims, Professional negligence, Misrepresentation, Mistake and rectification, Rectification of the Register

This role will span each of the work-streams to gain a breadth of expertise as well as exposure to lots of different types of client.


You will be responsible for assisting the Partners, Senior Associates, and Associates in the department, as well as taking a role (which will be limited at first) in supervising more junior members of staff and assisting in the development of those staff, including Trainees and Paralegals. In addition, you will also handle cases on your own (with the supervision of more Senior members of the team).


Main responsibilities

You will be involved in tasks including but not limited to;

Assisting the team in responding to a wide range of urgent and time critical queries from clients; Assisting with all stages of the life-cycle of a contentious matter from the review of initial information upon first instruction to the conclusion of a matter, including the preparation of pre-action correspondence, issuing of court proceedings where necessary, preparation of witness evidence and all other work required on a matter to bring it to trial or to settlement; Instructing and liaising with Counsel and other experts where necessary; Undertaking advisory work and strategic advice Attending meetings with clients, Counsel or opposing parties; Assisting with tasks relating to costs and fees, including preparing fee estimates for clients, preparing costs schedules during proceedings, and liaising with costs draftsmen and ATE insurers; and Contributing to sector and focus groups as required.

The team and wider Dispute Resolution Department has a very open and collegiate team structure and you will be encouraged to be involved in business development initiatives and also to assist in training and development. You will be an integral member of the team and your opinions and insights will be valued.


About you

Ideally you will be able to demonstrate;

Previous experience in Real Estate Dispute Resolution and the type of work carried out. Previous experience and understanding of the type of work caried out is highly advantageous. Sound judgment with the ability to deal with complex problems. A commercial approach to problem solving and providing innovative solutions. Excellent organisational skills: working to tight deadlines where the input of others is often required, keeping a diary, organising files and carrying out all necessary administrative tasks. The ability to manage and prioritise workloads. Thoroughness and attention to detail. A confident and effective advocacy/communication style, acting as facilitator but also be able to take the lead when required. The ability to build relationships with clients and other colleagues at all levels. The ability to see matters as a whole and to be able to identify what it takes to get the job done/consider settlement/best solutions for client. Excellent attention to detail with the ability to perform in a high volume, deadline-orientated role.
Please note that we are not accepting applications via agencies for this role at this time. Before sharing any named candidate CVs, please contact your recruitment representative. If any named CVs are sent from agencies without approval from our recruitment team, they will not be deemed valid introductions, and no agency fee will be paid.


About Us

With almost 200 lawyers in one location, we ensure our clients have the right team to help them get from where they are to where they want to be. We advise major corporates and institutions as well as entrepreneurial, ambitious enterprises which are often privately or family owned, or private equity backed. As well as our significant business law capability, we are one of only a few London-based law firms with a large private wealth offering. Our clients find our straightforward approach a compelling alternative to larger, less personal firms.


Whether you are an ambitious and talented individual wanting to hit the ground running from day one, or an established professional looking for a new opportunity, Howard Kennedy is the firm where you can really make it happen.


We have earned a strong reputation for our exceptional and uniquely talented people who between them deliver outstanding results for clients. In a firm of our size, our strong team dynamic creates a thriving culture of creativity and entrepreneurialism. Howard Kennedy is a pragmatic and non-hierarchical environment where success is shared, and you are proactively encouraged to thrive at your own pace.


Our distinctive culture is built on fairness and respect. Guided by the firm's values of talk straight, think smart and be yourself, everyone in the firm holds equal value, and everyone plays their role in supporting, encouraging and inspiring colleagues to do their best work.


At the same time, we recognise and reward individualism, celebrating the diversity of our people and supporting them to grow their practice and drive their own career advancement.


As well as client work, there is opportunity to broaden your horizons at the firm with fulfilling pro bono and charity projects. We have a regular social calendar full of wellbeing activities, charitable and social events too.




Benefits
Competitive salary 25 days annual holiday Permanent Health Insurance Life Assurance Interest free Season Ticket Loan Private Healthcare Pension Scheme Staff Introductory Scheme * Employee Assistance Programme