Real Estate Principal Associate / Legal Director

About the role

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Principal Associate / Legal Director (8 years+ PQE upwards) to join our Real Estate team in Leeds. We are looking for someone who has a good broad range of experience, but with a focus on development and investment work. Our development team provides expert advice to clients across the UK on a wide range of projects, including industrial, office, logistics, retail and the living sectors. We support every stage of the development lifecycle from conditional land acquisition and securing pre-lets, to forward funding, construction contracting, and disposal of completed investments. With specialists in planning, environmental law, real estate tax, construction and banking. We deliver comprehensive guidance to help clients manage risk and navigate complex development challenges. As a people centric firm, we invest heavily in developing our people by providing the structure, a supportive work culture in an innovative and flexible environment and you will be given every opportunity to develop your career here for the future. What do we need from you? We're looking for motivated, driven commercial real estate lawyers with deep expertise in advising on complex property development and investment work spanning the sectors mentioned above. You will have a strong understanding of the full development lifecycle from conditional land acquisition and securing pre-let agreements with occupiers, through to structuring forward funding arrangements, supporting the borrowing process and managing the purchase/disposal of completed investments. A solid foundation in real estate law is essential. The role demands excellent communication and negotiation skills, a proactive approach to problem-solving, and the ability to deliver strategic advice that supports clients in achieving commercially sound and legally robust outcomes. The team Our Real Estate Division is central pillar of the firm's current strategy and one of the largest and most respected in the UK, operating nationally across 13 locations with over 460 professionals, and 50+ Partners. The Division is structured into five specialist teams: Construction, Core Real Estate, Planning, Property Litigation, and Swiitch, enabling us to deliver comprehensive and sector-leading advice across the full real estate lifecycle. We advise many of the UK's leading real estate businesses, including developers, investors, funders as well as occupiers and public sector bodies. Our offering is built on deep sector knowledge, technical excellence, and a commitment to delivering an outstanding client experience. The Leeds real estate group has experienced significant growth in recent years, driven by our reputation for high-quality legal advice and a collaborative, client-focused approach. The team are in Tier 2 of both Legal 500 and Chambers directories alongside all the well established National and International firms. Having only arrived in Leeds less than 10 years ago, we are the "disruptor" firm, and as such this is an opportunity to join a dynamic team with real potential for progression. The Firm Shoosmiths is the law firm clients choose for excellent service, incisive thinking and above all for our ability to focus on what matters. From offices across the UK and Brussels, we support some of the world's most exciting and ambitious businesses; amazing clients making an impact. We empower our people to be their authentic selves and deliver together in supportive teams committed to excellence and innovation. The first top 50 law firm to achieve 'Platinum Standard' Investors in People, our values and culture are not just words on our website but are the heartbeat of the firm. We have an outstanding benefits package to complement our competitive remuneration system. In addition to the competitive salaries, great working environment and high-quality work, we believe that all staff should be rewarded for their commitment to the continued success of the firm through a comprehensive and flexible range of benefits. Click on "Apply Now" to fill the application form on our Careers website and review the Benefits package.