Senior Associate – Land & Development Solicitor

Holmes & Hills Solicitors; Colchester; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Bonus structure

28 days annual leave

Modern working environment

Job summary

A regional law firm based in Colchester is seeking a Senior Associate – Land & Development Solicitor. The role involves managing high-value property transactions and advising clients on various development projects, requiring over 7 years of experience as a qualified solicitor. Attractive salary, bonus structure, and benefits including 28 days annual leave are offered.

Qualifications

• Must have solid experience in property development for landowners or developers.
• Experience in development-led transactions required.

Responsibilities

• Deliver expert legal advice on high-level transactions.
• Manage a caseload of varied property development cases.
• Act for landowners and developers on complex agreements.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Pro-active thinker

Great marketing and networking skills

Self-motivated

Organized

Ability to manage workload

Ability to work under pressure

Effective communication

Collaborative work

Networking with industry professionals

Education

Qualified solicitor (7 years+ PQE)

Job description

Senior Associate – Land & Development Solicitor

We are currently recruiting for a Land and Development Property Solicitor, based in our A12 Commercial Hub, to support the strategic growth of Holmes & Hills’ Commercial Property service offering alongside and in partnership with the firm’s existing Legal 500 Commercial Property team.

You will have a proven track record in delivering expert legal advice and high service levels to clients, whilst working independently on your own caseload of high‑level transactions.

You will deal with a varied caseload delivering strategic advice on setting up sites for sale, option agreements, conditional contracts, promotion agreements, selling and buying development sites, including dealing with deferred consideration and overage.

A typical caseload would include:

• Acting for a landowner entering into a joint venture with a developer for eco houses (value circa £3 million).
• Acting for a purchaser of a commercial plot and build‑contact (built value £8.5 million).
• Acting for a developer in connection with purchasing a site for development (60 units).
• Acting for a landowner in connection with an option with a large developer (minimum £3.5 million), including variation of the current option agreement and a new agreement with a neighbour regarding access.
• Acting for landlords in connection with a promotion agreement (Deed of Variation number 3, minimum value £3.6 million).
• Acting for landowners in restructuring, including planning team diversion of a bridleway and obtaining planning permission before proceeding with sale to a developer.
• Acting for a landowner part of a consortium of seven in a new town project in South Essex, with the largest landowner entering into an option with a promoter and adding additional land (minimum original value £150 million).
• Acting for a promoter and developer purchasing approximately 100 units every year.
• Current matters involving site advice, promotion agreement, and freehold purchase.

What Experience Do I Need?

You must be a qualified solicitor (7 years+ PQE) and able to demonstrate solid experience in property development acting for landowners and/or developers in a variety of development‑led transactions.

What Skills Should I Have?

• Strong communication skills.
• Pro‑active thinker.
• Great marketing and networking skills.
• Self‑motivated and organised, with the ability to prioritise and manage your own workload.
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently under pressure.
• Ability to communicate effectively with individuals at all levels.
• Ability to impart key information in a manner that is easily understood.
• Willingness to work collaboratively with other departments in the firm.
• Ability to network with industry professionals and intermediaries.

What Are We Offering?

A competitive salary, with a bonus structure and additional benefits including 28 days annual leave, and a modern, agile working environment.

About Us

Holmes & Hills Solicitors is a large regional firm of solicitors with seven offices across Essex and Suffolk and over 200 legal professionals across a number of specialist departments. We work in partnership with clients across East Anglia, including businesses, individuals, families and local authorities, to build long‑standing relationships, protect clients’ interests and support their growth and development.

Our large team of legal experts works in partnership with individuals and organisations to provide truly proactive legal services through personal relationships. Acting as a trusted advisor, we understand clients’ needs and objectives before delivering practical advice through a personal and accessible approach.

Holmes & Hills Solicitors is independently recognised by The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners as a leading supplier of legal services in the region, giving our clients confidence in the quality of the advice and representation we provide.