Associate

Birketts LLP; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Long Service holiday award

Private Healthcare with BUPA

Staff Profit Share and Individual ~

Salary sacrifice (Pensions)

Life Assurance – 4 × salary

Job summary

Birketts LLP is seeking a Commercial Real Estate Associate in Ipswich. You will draft and negotiate contracts, act as a key client contact, and contribute to marketing and networking initiatives.

You will manage time and billing to meet targets while delivering high-quality advice with practical, commercial value. The role follows a hybrid pattern with an 80% office and 20% home split after probation.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years PQE as an Associate or equivalent level.
• Strong legal and commercial judgement with ability to draft complex documents.
• Ability to manage time, billing targets and workload efficiently.
• Active support for business development and client relationships.

Responsibilities

• Draft and negotiate contracts and client documents tailored to needs.
• Act as a main client contact, building trusted relationships and spotting opportunities.
• Participate in marketing and networking initiatives.
• Own personal financial performance and demonstrate commercial mindset.

Skills

Legal judgement

Commercial judgement

Business development

Client service

Attention to detail

Integrity

Time management

AI initiatives

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Outlook

Case management

Digital dictation

Time recording software

Job description

The team you will join

Our Commercial Real Estate team sits within the wider Real Estate Division. The team are particularly experienced in dealing with development and investment, acquisitions and disposals, secured lending and landlord & tenant matters.

Our lawyers come from a range of backgrounds, including major City practices, other major national and regional firms, industry and local government and include individuals with construction, planning and commercial expertise. The depth and range of expertise means the team can work together on major and complex transactions on cost‑effective terms, providing our clients with true value for money.

The team currently comprises a number of specialist qualified Commercial Real Estate solicitors and Partners, making us one of the largest Commercial Property teams in the East of England.

We have the strength and depth of expertise to ensure we deliver the service you would expect in respect of technical quality, practical approach and timeliness of advice.

The property team has experience in all areas of contentious and non‑contentious legal matters, representing clients from a broad range of public and private organisations as well as individuals and senior executives.

The work you will be doing

You will be responsible for:

• Drafting and negotiating on relevant contracts, documents, advice notes, letters and correspondence tailored to the client’s individual needs and requirements
• Acting as a key point of contact for clients, building trusted relationships, and identifying opportunities to add value
• Participating in marketing and networking initiatives
• Ownership of personal financial performance, demonstrating accountability and a commercial mindset

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 for

Birketts has designed a 'Talent Management Framework' which provides a career structure that will help us develop, retain and reward talented people. As an Associate, we typically expect candidates to have between 3‑5 years PQE.

• Applies strong legal and commercial judgement, researches precedents effectively, and drafts complex documents with appropriate senior guidance
• Manages time recording, billing support and workload efficiently to meet financial targets and maximise fee recovery
• Actively supports business development through events, pitches and networking, building profile and identifying opportunities via firm and client relationships
• Delivers high-quality client service with minimal supervision, providing timely, accurate advice and demonstrating strong understanding of client needs and priorities
• 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
• Embracing and encouraging adoption of developing technology, including appropriate AI initiatives

Any information provided in relation to PQE should be used for guidance only and will not be determinative in the recruitment decision. Applicants will be considered on their individual merits.

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. During your 6 month probation period, there will be a requirement to be in the office full time whilst you are developing in the role. Once you have successfully passed probation, this role attracts a split of 80% office days and 20% 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

• Long Service holiday award – 1 extra week every 10 years continuous service
• Private Healthcare with BUPA (offered after probation is passed)
• Staff Profit Share and Individual Performance Bonus Scheme
• Salary sacrifice (Pensions, Staff Profit Share)
• Life Assurance – 4 × salary / Permanent Health Insurance

Birketts is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our policy is unequivocal: we do not tolerate discrimination based on age, disability, sex, race, religion or belief, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, or sexual orientation.