Associate, Real Estate - Residential Conveyancing (2 Month FTC)

The role

This is an exciting opportunity to join our dynamic Residential Conveyancing team as an Associate on an initial fixed term contract basis until the end of December 2024.

Howard Kennedy has a leading residential real estate team with repeat referrals from leading estate agents, buying agents, financial intermediaries and clients. We have experience, expertise and knowledge of the market and the deal process involved. The team is proactive, commercial and efficient and always keeps our clients informed throughout the conveyancing process.

We provide clear and straightforward advice and regularly support clients in residential and investment property sales and purchases, leasehold enfranchisement, planning considerations, and construction and building contracts.

Role responsibility

• Dealing with all aspects of residential transactions (Leasehold and Freehold transactions).
• Undertaking due diligence, preparing reports on title, dealing with elements of the contract and/or supplemental documents.
• Dealing with property aspects for financing transactions and certificates or disclosure of title.
• Management of own files (subject to supervision as necessary).
• Assisting more senior fee earners on larger transactions.

• Dealing with voluntary lease extensions.
• Assisting the Real Estate Dispute Resolution Team on matters relating to statutory lease extension and enfranchisement claims under the Leasehold Reform Housing and Development Act 1993 and Leasehold Reform Act 1967.
• Dealing with new build transactions.

• Responsibility for participating in business development and client relationship management activities.
• Assisting and mentoring more junior members of the team including Trainees and Paralegals.
• Co-ordinating all aspects of the conveyancing sales process from end to end, delivering in line with client expectations and deadlines.
• Dealing directly with solicitor and client enquiries, along with any internal enquiries.
• Ensuring that up-to-date client matter schedules are maintained for both internal and external use.
• Contributing where possible to the effectiveness of team workflow, including attending departmental and other appropriate briefings to assess current and future needs.

About you

Ideally you will be able to demonstrate;

• Proven significant  post qualification experience within a high performing Residential Conveyancing department.
• Proven significant post qualification experience dealing with enfranchisement matters.
• Experience of working effectively across multiple matters in a deadline driven environment.
• Experience of managing transactions relating to prime and ultra prime residential property.
• Pro-active and conscientious approach to work.
• Strong ability to communicate with clients and other contacts in a helpful, confidential and efficient way.
• Experience of time recording using Elite or a similar system.
• Experience of using Filesite or a similar document management system.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• 25 days annual holiday
• Permanent Health Insurance
• Life Assurance
• Interest free Season Ticket Loan
• Private Healthcare
• Pension Scheme
• Staff Introductory Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme

About us

With almost 200 lawyers in one location, we ensure our clients have the right team to help them get from where they are to where they want to be. We advise major corporates and institutions as well as entrepreneurial, ambitious enterprises which are often privately or family owned, or private equity backed. As well as our significant business law capability, we are one of only a few London-based law firms with a large private wealth offering. Our clients find our straightforward approach a compelling alternative to larger, less personal firms.

Whether you are an ambitious and talented individual wanting to hit the ground running from day one, or an established professional looking for a new opportunity, Howard Kennedy is the firm where you can really make it happen.

We have earned a strong reputation for our exceptional and uniquely talented people who between them deliver outstanding results for clients. In a firm of our size, our strong team dynamic creates a thriving culture of creativity and entrepreneurialism. Howard Kennedy is a pragmatic and non-hierarchical environment where success is shared, and you are proactively encouraged to thrive at your own pace.

Our distinctive culture is built on fairness and respect. Guided by the firm’s values of talk straight, think smart and be yourself, everyone in the firm holds equal value, and everyone plays their role in supporting, encouraging and inspiring colleagues to do their best work.

At the same time, we recognise and reward individualism, celebrating the diversity of our people and supporting them to grow their practice and drive their own career advancement.

As well as client work, there is opportunity to broaden your horizons at the firm with fulfilling pro bono and charity projects. We have a regular social calendar full of wellbeing activities, charitable and social events too.