Solicitor / Associate - Real Estate Litigation

DWF Law LLP; Liverpool; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

DWF is seeking an accomplished Real Estate Litigation Solicitor/Associate to join its expanding team in Liverpool. The role covers a broad range of commercial property disputes and is backed by a supportive, collegiate culture in a flexible, hybrid working environment.

Ideal candidates will have strong experience in commercial property litigation, a client-focused approach, and a willingness to build lasting relationships with clients and colleagues within a forward‑thinking firm.

Qualifications

• Experience in commercial real estate litigation, including 1954 Act lease renewals.
• Experience with serving contractual and statutory notices and dilapidations disputes.
• Knowledge of boundary and right-of-way issues; rent arrears and landlord remedies including forfeiture.
• Strong ownership, client service across sectors; collaborative approach.

Responsibilities

• Advise on legal/commercial implications of commercial property disputes (leases, covenants, dilapidations, etc.).
• Collaborate with Legal Operations and Business Services for integrated client service.
• Work with real estate paralegals to deliver profitability.
• Develop and grow relationships with existing/new clients and internal teams.
• Demonstrate firm values and be open to innovation opportunities.

Job description

Why join us?

DWF is seeking an accomplished Real Estate Litigation Solicitor / Associate to join its expanding Real Estate Litigation team.

The Real Estate Litigation team at DWF act for a broad range of clients including large household names and operate nationally.

As an Associate in this team, you can expect to participate in high-quality and varied work covering all types of commercial property disputes. This work is underpinned by a supportive and collegiate working environment and team.

Everyone in the team supports this ethos and we would want you to feel valued and rewarded and to be able to be yourself at work. Our team is ambitious too. We are very proud of the service that we provide to long-standing, and new, household name clients.

The role is ideally suited to candidates based in one of our regional offices, including Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle or Liverpool with a flexible, hybrid working approach.

Responsibilities

• To advise on the legal and commercial implications of all types of commercial property dispute (e.g. opposed and unopposed lease renewals, restrictive covenants, break options, dilapidations, rights of way, boundary disputes, trespass, nuisance, telecoms, possession and insolvency-related issues).
• To work with DWF's Legal Operations and Business Services divisions who are able to give clients a fully integrated service at less cost.
• To take support from DWF's division of real estate paralegals, to which all fee earners in the team have access to help deliver profitability.
• To develop and grow your own relationships with existing and new clients, and with internal clients such as transactional Real Estate with whom we work and support very closely.
• To demonstrate and live our firm and team values and to be open to innovation opportunities.

What will help you succeed in this role?

• Previous experience and technical knowledge in commercial real estate litigation, including 1954 Act lease renewals (opposed and unopposed), serving notices (contractual and statutory notices), dilapidations disputes and settlements, boundary and right of way issues, rent arrears and landlord remedies including forfeiture, court proceedings, CRAR etc.
• The willingness to take ownership of your work and a desire to deliver a top client service across a range of sectors.
• Taking a positive, friendly, supportive and collegiate approach to working with others.
• The desire to develop lasting relationships with clients and be a long-term member of an established and forward-thinking team.

What we offer?

We are committed to ensuring that each member of our team feels valued and duly rewarded during their time at DWF.

We are an equal opportunities employer that celebrates diversity, and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all. We aim to create a positive experience for all candidates and offer any adjustments or additional support needed. If you're excited about the opportunity but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with all the requirements, please apply anyway. You may be the right candidate for the role or others across the wider team.

About us

DWF is a leading global provider of integrated legal and business services. Our approach delivers efficiency, price certainty and transparency for our clients across the world without compromising on quality or service. Our purpose is to deliver positive outcomes with our colleagues, clients and communities and we foster a culture that places our colleagues at the centre of all that we do.