Job Description

Real Estate Finance Lawyer (Associate)

Location: London

Salary: £95,000 to £120,000, plus bonus and benefits

Experience: 1+ years’ PQE

If you are a real estate finance lawyer looking for a role where you can build genuine depth across lender-side and borrower-side transactions, this is a strong opportunity to step into a busy, high-quality pipeline and take on responsibility early.

Our client is looking to hire an Associate into its London Real Estate Finance team. The work spans domestic and cross-border real estate backed transactions across a broad range of asset classes and funding structures, with the chance to work closely with senior lawyers in a supportive, high-performing environment.

You will support a market-leading team advising major banks, debt funds, insurers and other financial institutions, as well as investors, developers, blue-chip property companies and family offices. The role offers exposure to varied finance work including development finance, hotel finance, Islamic finance and mezzanine finance, with matters spanning sectors such as hotels and leisure, PRS, student accommodation, logistics and offices.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Advising on the finance aspects of real estate backed transactions

• Supporting lender-side and borrower-side real estate finance matters, including domestic and cross-border deals

• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating transaction documents and ancillary documentation

• Working on a mix of development finance, hotel finance, Islamic finance and mezzanine finance transactions

• Managing your workload across multiple matters and deadlines, with strong attention to detail

• Building direct client relationships and delivering clear, commercial advice

• Contributing to business development activity and supporting the growth of the practice

What We’re Looking For

• Qualified lawyer with 1+ years’ PQE and relevant experience from a major law firm

• Experience working on real estate finance transactions

• Strong technical knowledge of finance transactions and excellent drafting skills

• Strong academic background

• Proactive, self-motivated approach with sound judgement and strong attention to detail

• Confident communicator with strong client relationship skills

• Organised and able to manage competing deadlines

• Collaborative team player who enjoys working in a friendly, collegiate environment

What’s On Offer

• 28 days’ holiday

• Private healthcare (with the option to add family at employee cost)

• Pension (4% match for the first 6 months, then 6%)

• Life insurance (4x salary)

• Income protection (after 26 weeks)

• Annual wellbeing programme and Mental Health First Aiders

• 24/7 employee care helpline

• Hybrid or agile working (where the role allows)

• Technology benefit scheme

• Cycle to work scheme

• Discounted gym membership

• Employee-funded dental scheme

• Travel loan

• CSR and volunteering opportunities

• Learning and development support, including mentoring and sponsorship

• Affinity networks and an inclusive, people-first culture

• Employee offers and discounts

Working Arrangements

This is a London-based role with hybrid working available, depending on matter and client needs.

Next Steps (How to Apply)

Apply online or send your CV to David on  d.hawthorne-finch@h-fts.com  or call 0333 996 2882 for more information.

All applications will be handled in the strictest confidence. We will never share your details with any client without your express permission.