Agricultural Property Director/Partner

Freeths; Packmoor; On-site; GBP 110,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading law firm in England seeks an Agricultural Property Director/Partner to join its expanding team in Oxford. The role requires at least 8 years of experience in agricultural law, focusing on advising clients like farmers and landowners on complex property matters. This position offers an opportunity to significantly contribute to departmental growth and engage in important business development initiatives. If you are a seasoned legal professional passionate about rural and agricultural issues, we would love to meet you.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in a regional or City firm specializing in agricultural property.
• Experience advising on agricultural and development matters.
• Strong business development skills.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development and growth of the department.
• Engage in business development initiatives.
• Advise clients including landed estates, farmers, and landowners.

Skills

Business development

Client relationship management

Agricultural law expertise

Education

Law degree

Job description

Agricultural Property Director/Partner - Oxford

Our specialist Agricultural Property team advises clients with interests in rural, agricultural and development matters. The team act for some of the largest estates the UK and are ranked in the top tier of both The Legal 500 and Chambers as nationally recognised experts.

The Agricultural Property team is largely based in our Oxford office and is widely recognised as the leading and largest standalone team in the region. Comprising 2 partners, 1 director, 2 managing associates, 1 senior associate, 2 associates, 1 trainee and 1 legal assistant, the team are a key part of the Freeths Real Estate team which is the largest department in Freeths.

The team is headed by Iain Davis, who is head of the Real Estate department in Oxford as well as heading up the Agricultural team generally. Iain is ranked as a Leading Individual (Chambers & Partners, 2023) and recognised as a Recommended Lawyer and Leading Individual in The Legal 500 (2023 edition) for Agriculture and Estates.

The wider Agricultural Group consists of specialist tax, trusts, agricultural litigation, environmental, planning, commercial and partnership lawyers.

About The Role

The team are in expansion mode due to client demand and are looking for a further senior lawyer to join them. This role would suit a Legal Director or Partner with at least 8+ years’ experience gained within a strong regional or City firm. Your experience will have synergies with the current team who act for landed estates, Oxford Colleges, farmers and landowners, advising on the whole gamut of agricultural and development work.

The successful candidate will contribute to the development and growth of the department, and play a key role in business development initiatives.

Examples of the teams’ recent work

• Sale of a large block of agricultural land adjoining Milton Keynes for £189m, having advised on the grant of the Option which underlay the sale
• Promotion Agreement and Collaboration Agreement for 320 acres of land to form one of the 14 Promotion Agreement covering 460 acres forming the Oxfordshire Costwolds Garden Village – being one of the first of the 14 new Garden Villages.
• Acquisition of a farm including 200+ acres, listed farmhouse and buildings, riparian and railway frontages and entitlements. The case involved dealing with various title and agricultural issues and was settled at a value of over £3 million.
• A £12.6 million refinance of farm, dairy unit and farm cottages to include redemption of existing charges over 1,850 acres and four new charges over 650 acres.

Smart. Bold. Together. We Are Freeths.

Become part of the team at Freeths.

View some of our recent highlights on our website here.

Do we sound like a match? If you’re someone who cares deeply, communicates openly and collaborates effectively, then we’d love to have you join our diverse, inclusive team.