Associate (Residential Property Litigation)

ABOUT THE ROLE Our Legal 500 ranked, London based, litigation & dispute resolution department are looking for a new team member to assist the residential property litigation team on a full-time basis (35hrs a week). The team cover the full range of housing management services including tenancy disputes, policy drafting, risk advisory work, disrepair, injunctive work, possession claims as residential leasehold disputes in the social housing and private sectors but focussing on the former. This particular role would see you working on breach of lease claims, service charges and dispensations. The team work closely with the real estate and governance departments in the firm who are as much our clients as external instructors. Our client base ranges from registered providers to developers and private property portfolio holders, including individuals, companies, charities and institutions. A typical day would see you: Run your own caseload of housing management matters varying from disrepairs to injunctions. Draft pleadings and witness statements. Attend court hearings. Carry out ad hoc advisories for case management conferences and hearings. ABOUT YOU As this is an Associate level role, we are looking for candidates who can demonstrate previous experience in housing and/or leasehold management work. You will be confident running your own files (under supervision), and have the ability to manage a varied caseload. We are also open to see candidates from inhouse or private practice legal teams. You will thrive on the ability to organise your day around an intellectually stimulating and varied workload and your purposeful nature will lend itself well to solving complex problems for our clients. Your ability to take ownership over your work will enable you to work efficiently and effectively, whilst collaborating with likeminded colleagues. For the right candidate this is an opportunity to join a very high-quality residential property litigation team in a firm that is fully committed to property as its core area long term. WHY US Winckworth Sherwood is an exciting, diverse, and growing business. We are a full-service law firm with a diverse client base, that prides itself on providing advice across a broad range of sectors and markets. Delivering a first-class service is key to everything we do. Our clients range from some of the UK's largest businesses and institutions, housebuilders and developers through to investors, professional partnerships, family offices, not for profit organisations and private individuals – all of which benefit from the flexible, practical approach of our lawyers. We recognise that our people play a key part in our success and as a result we are committed to their development and well-being. We promote a healthy work-life balance and flexibility, keeping our people motivated and stimulated to deliver great things. YOUR APPLICATION JOURNEY Application review Your profile will be screened by a member of the WS recruitment team. If you CV is shortlisted, you will be invited to have a short call with our Recruitment Manager, Ash Evans, to discuss your interest in the vacancy. No AI is used in our application screening process Every candidate who applies to this role will be told if they have been successful or not in moving to the next stage. 1st interview (in person at our London office) This will be with the head of the team and the recruitment manager. We will discuss your interest in the role, what you are looking for professionally, and ask some competency/behavioural questions that relate to the key skills/behaviours needed for this position. Every candidate who reaches this stage will be offered the chance to have a feedback call with our Recruitment Manager to understand why they weren't progressed to the next interview stage, so that you can use this feedback to help with other job applications. 2nd interview (in person at our London office) At this stage, you will meet the two legal directors in the team. They will also discuss your experience with you and provide you with an additional insight into the team and the work that they do. Every candidate who reaches this stage will be offered the chance to have a feedback call with our Recruitment Manager to understand why they weren't offered the position, so that you can use this feedback to help with other job applications. Offer of employment If you are successful and accept our offer of employment, we will submit your details to our background screening company (Giant), who will conduct a series of background checks. Once these have been completed and we have separately validated your proof of right to work in the UK, a start date can be agreed, and your onboarding schedule can be planned.