Job Description

Description

Why Bates Wells?

We're an award winning, purpose driven City law firm. We were the first UK law firm to become a B Corp and are the highest scoring global law firm in the B Corp community. Globally recognised as the market leading UK firm for charities and purpose-driven organisations, our commercial teams are also using law as a force for good and driving change from the inside out.

Our values are key to our success, and you'll be able to make a real impact from day one.

Come and join the firm who have a standout and authentic commitment to a triple bottom line, where we'll never prioritise profit over people and planet.

The role

This role offers the opportunity for a bright, energetic lawyer with an interest in business development to support a diverse range of clients as part of a collaborative real estate team. You will be a team player and will take responsibility for a varied workload, including acquisitions, disposals, secured lending, leasing, and general property work. The position provides direct client engagement, involvement in business development, and the chance to contribute to wider team projects -- all within a supportive and empowering environment where you'll be expected to:Establish yourself quickly in a busy team and contribute across a varied and interesting workload Enjoy a high degree of client contact and take an active role in business development Apply a positive and pragmatic problem-solving approach to your work Prioritise effectively across a range of matters and tasks, with the ability to work autonomously when needed Support a wide range of clients, including commercial organisations, financial institutions, social enterprises, charities, and organisations in the sports, education, and retail sectors -- with a particular focus on the not-for-profit sector Carry out day-to-day work including real estate acquisitions and disposals of both freehold and leasehold properties, landlord and tenant matters (such as granting and taking leases, lease assignments, underlettings and licences), and real estate finance Work on matters with the support of partners and senior associates, while developing greater autonomy over time Be part of larger project teams and contribute to broader departmental initiatives Take on delegation and supervision responsibilities as appropriate

Key Responsibilities

In this position you will:Develop and maintain strong relationships with clients, colleagues, and industry professionals Provide high-quality legal advice and offer strategic, solutions-focused approaches to client matters Uphold the firm's expected standards of client and matter management Continue building your expertise to deliver practical, commercially aware advice and increase your profile within the firm Identify and contribute to business development opportunities, including supporting client growth and cross-sector initiatives Stay informed and adaptable, maintaining awareness of legal, commercial, and market developments to respond effectively

Which qualities do we look for?

We're looking for someone with strong technical ability, a collaborative mindset, and a practical, client-focused approach. You will also ideally:Be a UK-qualified Associate with 2-4 years' PQE Have broad experience in commercial property transactions, including both sales and purchases Bring a solid grounding in landlord and tenant matters Communicate clearly and effectively, with a concise and accessible writing style and strong verbal skills Think creatively and act proactively -- offering practical solutions, particularly when advising clients with more limited resources Be comfortable managing a varied workload and prioritising between matters with differing levels of urgency Show a genuine interest in business development and building lasting client relationships Work collaboratively and be willing to support wider team projects and initiatives Demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning and development -- for yourself and, where appropriate, in mentoring junior colleagues
Desirable experience includes:Advising charitable or not-for-profit organisations on property matters Familiarity with the Charities Act 2011 and compliance with its property disposal requirements

About the Real Estate team

Our Real Estate practice provides expertise across all aspects of the property sector from typical transactions such as acquisitions, disposals and leases to development, funding, finance, litigation and dispute resolution. We act for an impressive array of clients, from the charity sector, where we are market leaders, to commercial organisations and our experienced team are always looking for new and cost-effective ways to provide the best solutions to meet the needs of our clients.

What are we like to work for?

Impact-Driven Purpose:

We align profit with social purpose to create lasting positive impact for our people, communities, and planet.

Committed to the Climate:

Through our Climate Programme, we reduce environmental impact and drive a just transition to net zero.

Championing Inclusion:

We foster a diverse, inclusive culture where creativity and innovation thrive.

Flexible and Hybrid Working:

Our hybrid model supports balance, with part-time options and at least two office days weekly.

Progressive Benefits:

We offer green pensions, IVF support, private healthcare, and more for your well-being and growth.




At Bates Wells, equity, diversity, and inclusion are part of who we are and how we work. As a B Corp and purpose-driven law firm, we're committed to building a workplace that is fair, inclusive, and representative of all.

About Bates Wells

At Bates Wells, we're not the average law firm. We believe that actions speak louder than words. We strive to do the right thing as a business and to help our clients make a positive impact on their people and society.

Recruitment at Bates Wells - The use of AI

At Bates Wells, we are committed to transparency and fairness in our recruitment processes. We understand the importance of ensuring that our methods align with best practices and respect the privacy and rights of all candidates.

We would like to clarify that we do not use artificial intelligence (AI) to screen, sift, score, reject, or approve any recruitment decisions, at any stage of our recruitment process. Our recruitment decisions are made by hiring managers and the HR team, ensuring a personal and thoughtful approach to each candidate.

We do utilise AI technology in a limited capacity to enhance our recruitment process. Specifically, we use Metaview to record and transcribe interviews. This tool helps us maintain accurate records of interviews, to support objective scoring of answers based on evidence and ensures that we can review and reflect on the conversations held during the recruitment process. Importantly, Metaview is not used to evaluate candidates or make any decisions regarding their suitability for a role.

We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of privacy and fairness in our recruitment processes and will continue to review and update our practices to ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and guidelines.