Senior Associate - Development Lawyer

LAW Absolute; England; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK law firm is seeking a Senior Associate to join their development team in Tunbridge Wells, managing high-profile residential and commercial matters. The ideal candidate will possess strong experience in development work and excellent communication skills. This role offers autonomy and collaboration across multiple disciplines, allowing for impactful work on complex projects. Join a firm renowned for excellence in client care and career progression in a supportive environment.

Benefits

Strong career progression

Collaborative culture

Reputation for excellence in development work

Qualifications

• Strong experience running your own files in residential and/or commercial development.
• Solid technical expertise in development work (options, promotions, acquisitions, disposals).
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and case management skills.

Responsibilities

• Managing a varied caseload of high-profile residential and/or commercial development matters.
• Advising across the full development lifecycle.
• Building strong client relationships with national housebuilders and land promoters.

Skills

Communication

Negotiation

Case management

Commercially-focused advice

Business development

Job description

Overview

An award-winning Top 100 UK law firm with a market-leading real estate practice is seeking an experienced Development Lawyer at Senior Associate level to join its highly regarded team in Tunbridge Wells.

Renowned for excellence in the development sector, this firm advises on some of the most complex and high-profile commercial and residential projects in the UK, from large-scale mixed-use developments to major regeneration schemes. The culture combines technical excellence with genuinely empathetic client care and a strong commercial mindset.

The Opportunity

You will join a 150-strong real estate team recognised as a benchmark for quality and innovation. This is a standout opportunity to work on high-value, strategically significant development matters for a prestigious client base that includes developers, landowners, institutional investors, and landed estates.

The role offers real autonomy alongside exceptional support. You’ll manage your own caseload while collaborating closely with specialists across planning, construction, corporate, and property finance, enabling you to deliver a truly seamless, full-service offering to clients.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Managing a varied caseload of high-profile residential and/or commercial development matters
• Advising across the full development lifecycle, including:
  • Options and promotion agreements
  • Land sales and acquisitions
  • Site assembly
  • Joint venture structuring
• Working collaboratively with internal experts across multiple disciplines
• Delivering commercially focused, practical advice tailored to client objectives
• Building strong client relationships with national housebuilders, land promoters, and registered providers
• Playing an active role in business development and profile-raising initiatives
• Embracing legal technology to improve efficiency and enhance client service

What We’re Looking For

Essential:

• Strong experience running your own files in residential and/or commercial development
• Solid technical expertise in development work (options, promotions, acquisitions, disposals)
• A client-focused mindset with a passion for commercial, solutions-driven advice
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and case management skills
• An interest in business development and innovation

Desirable:

• Experience advising national housebuilders, institutional investors, or landed estates

Why Apply?

• Join a Top 100 firm with a genuine reputation for excellence in development work
• Work on complex, high-value projects with real market impact
• Benefit from a collaborative, forward-thinking culture
• Enjoy strong career progression within a firm that invests in its people
• Be part of a team that values innovation, autonomy, and high-quality client care

Please note our advertisements use PQE/salary levels purely as a guide. However we are happy to consider applications from all candidates who are able to demonstrate the skills necessary to fulfil the role.

At LAW Absolute we endeavour to respond to all applications within 48 hours. However due to the volume of applications we receive we may not be able to respond to every candidate individually.

If you have not heard from us within a 48 hour timeframe your application has not been successful and your details have not been retained. LAW Absolute acts as an employment business for temporary recruitment and as an employment agency for fixed term contract and permanent recruitment.