Real Estate Finance Lawyer

Buchanan Law; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 175,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading international law firm in London is seeking a Senior Real Estate Finance Associate with 3+ PQE. The successful candidate will work on complex, high-value transactions, manage client relationships, and mentor junior associates. This role offers a competitive salary, with base compensation ranging from £175,000 to £230,000+, depending on experience, alongside performance-related bonuses. A hybrid working model is in place, encouraging approximately 60% office attendance.

Qualifications

• 3+ PQE in real estate finance.
• Experience in a comparable, high-quality environment.
• Understanding of law firm profitability and financial efficiency.

Responsibilities

• Advise on significant and complex real estate finance transactions.
• Manage client relationships and mentor junior lawyers.
• Take ownership of matters and coordinate multi-disciplinary teams.

Skills

Excellent drafting skills

Strong negotiation skills

Technical skills in finance

Project management capability

Strong commercial judgement

Education

Qualified/admitted lawyer in a relevant jurisdiction

Job description

I’m currently working with a highly regarded international law firm in London that is looking to hire a senior real estate finance associate (3+ PQE) into its well-established and consistently busy practice. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced associate who is looking to step into a senior role within a sophisticated, market-facing team that works on some of the most complex and high-profile real estate finance transactions in the UK and across Europe.

The team has historically been able to attract strong candidates directly, but due to partner availability around the New Year and continued workflow, they are now open to seeing additional high-quality profiles. This is very much a quality-driven search rather than a volume hire.

The real estate finance group is led by two highly respected partners and sits within a broader, market-leading real estate platform. The immediate team comprises a strong bench of associates and trainees, and works seamlessly with a large real estate practice as well as finance and real estate colleagues across a wide European network. This integrated approach allows the team to advise on complex, cross-border matters while maintaining a cohesive and collegiate culture.

The practice is well balanced and sophisticated in nature. While the exact mix fluctuates year on year, approximately 70% of the work is lender-side, with the remainder made up of high-quality borrower-side instructions. The team is known for acting on complex development financings, refinancing's, acquisition financings, and structured real estate transactions involving top-tier banks, sponsors, asset managers, and institutional investors.

Despite the scale and calibre of the work, the culture is grounded, professional, and collaborative. Senior associates are trusted, visible, and expected to play a meaningful role in running transactions, managing client relationships, and mentoring more junior lawyers.

The team advises on some of the most significant and complex real estate finance transactions currently in the market, both in the UK and internationally. Recent matters include landmark development financings, cross-border acquisition financings, large-scale refinancings of flagship assets, and innovative structures involving alternative living, logistics, PBSA, and life sciences assets.

Associates in this group are heavily involved in the commercial and strategic aspects of deals, not just execution. There is a strong emphasis on technical excellence, project management, and understanding the commercial drivers behind transactions. Senior associates are expected to take ownership of matters, coordinate multi-disciplinary teams, and engage directly with clients and counterparties.

Candidate Profile

• 3+ PQE
• Qualified/admitted lawyer in a relevant jurisdiction
• Strong post-qualification experience in real estate finance gained in a comparable, high-quality environment
• Excellent drafting, negotiation, and technical skills
• Strong project management capability and commercial judgement
• Good understanding of the real estate finance market, products, and client sectors
• Awareness of law firm profitability and financial efficiency
• Confident operating at senior associate level, including supervising juniors and managing workstreams

This role is best suited to someone who enjoys complex, high-value transactions and is looking to further develop their profile within a leading real estate finance practice.

Working Pattern & Compensation

The firm operates a hybrid working model, with an expectation of approximately 60% office attendance. Target hours are 1,800 per year and compensation is highly competitive, with base salary typically in the region of £175,000–£230,000+, depending on experience, alongside performance-related bonuses.