Housing Finance Solicitor/Associate

Location

Bristol or Birmingham

Description

Make a Real Impact

Bevan Brittan is a leading commercial law firm. Alongside our recognised expertise in housing, local government, and health and social care, we are specialists in the construction, energy and resource management, higher education and financial services sectors.

Supported by our valued business services professionals, our award-winning and growing legal teams provide almost 2,000 organisations with commercial, corporate, property, finance, regulatory, employment and litigation (commercial and clinical negligence) legal and advisory services.

As a responsible business, we embrace four values: Relationships, Reputation, Responsible and Results. These give us a sense of purpose. They influence the decisions we make and how we work with each other. Importantly, they motivate us to deliver meaningful outcomes for our clients and the communities that we're part of.

Consistently recognised as one of The Times Best Law Firms and highly ranked across the legal directories, we are proud of our hard-earned reputation. Our 2023/24 financial results confirmed both revenue and profit growth for an eleventh consecutive year, ensuring our ability to continue investing in our people.

Looking to the future, we're targeting ambitious growth and success. And we're looking for the best people to be part of it.

Join a team of experts and progressive thinkers

Due to continued growth, we are currently recruiting an Associate to join our Property (Housing Finance and portfolio) team, to be based in either our Bristol or Birmingham office (with flexible, hybrid working). The Housing Finance & Portfolio team act mostly for Registered Providers and Lenders nationally, providing advice on all aspects connected with large scale security charging and portfolio transaction projects and the mortgaging of properties to or for lenders.

Bevan Brittan has strong recognition in the independent legal directories - Chambers & Partners and Legal 500. In both guides we are consistently ranked in the top tier for our practices across the UK, with multiple individuals recognised as leading lawyers. We have offices in London, Birmingham, Leeds and Bristol.

The role

This role is a fantastic opportunity to work within a busy team on a wide range of property finance and housing portfolio and large-scale property due diligence projects, predominantly focused on working with our Registered Provider clients but also with lenders and security trustees operating in the housing sector.

This role will include supporting the partners and the wider specialist national team in relation to:

• Assisting with large security charging and due diligence projects, including drafting and negotiating Certificates of Title, reports on title and dealing with rectification work to perfect security for charging;
• The management and supervision of smaller property finance and property portfolio transactions under the supervision of the partners;
• Supervising and supporting junior fee earners on the processes to be undertaken for the correct preparation of properties to be mortgaged, purchased or sold;
• Drafting and negotiating condition precedent documentation as required by the lender and/or security trustees.
• Compiling high level and more detailed title reports for asset management sales and acquisitions
• Assisting to project manage junior fee earners with large scale title and search reviews, bulk Land Registry applications, title rectification work and general transaction management;
• Management of data collation and storage via our digital portals and assisting with the management of Legal tech systems for security and portfolio acquisitions
• Business development activities, such as attending client events, client training, conferences and drafting articles;
• Supporting Partners with pitches bids and tenders.

You would be part of a growing, dynamic and friendly team of specialist housing finance and portfolio lawyers, working with a variety of support from experienced and market leading partners and legal directors whilst being an integral link to the development of our junior team.

What we are looking for from you

The successful candidate will have the following experience:

• Property finance and/or property portfolio transactions experience is required although training will be provided and you will receive ongoing day to day support from our team of expert lawyers.
• Previous experience of working for Registered Providers and/or lenders to the housing sector is required and the demonstration of a committed interest to the wider Social Housing sector would also be an advantage.
• Strong organisational, and project management skills, including the ability to assist with the management and supervision of juniors and to be the lead on smaller property finance and property portfolio transactions.
• Excellent teamwork and communication skills requisite for large scale project work, with the ability to use your initiative, be proactive and show high levels of responsibility required to bring transactions to completion on time.
• The ability to work efficiently and accurately in the review and drafting of condition precedent documents including certificates of titles and reports to lenders/clients, carrying out title due diligence, property tables, disclosures, searches and indemnity insurance policies;
• Previous experience of using the Land Registry portal and Mapsearch, search and web based data service providers and data platforms would be helpful. Also, knowledge of Legal tech/Gen AI knowledge is preferable but not essential;
• The ability to work collaboratively, and positively with others, with enthusiasm, curiosity and willingness to learn and support the team;
• Experience with billing and the financial management of transactions;
• Experience of working with Microsoft excel.

Work with approachable people

When we ask colleagues what makes Bevan Brittan a great place to work, the most popular thing they say is "the people". The overwhelming consensus is that we make time for each other. We welcome questions and support each other. Naturally, we look for new colleagues who align with our values.

Supported to be your best

Hybrid working

We operate a hybrid working model based on the needs of our clients, teams and people. Our core business hours are 9am - 5:15pm Monday to Friday, but we're open to our people working more flexibly around those times and welcome a conversation with you if you have any questions about this. We try to offer you the flexibility to work your week in a way that suits you.

Learning, Development & Progression

We're committed to supporting your professional and personal development needs.This means that we offer a range of tailored training courses and you will have lots of opportunity to learn from those around you. We actively encourage progression and this is reflected in our annual review and promotion processes. You will be supported by your line manager to achieve your full potential.

Wellbeing

As a Bevan Brittan employee, you'll have access to a variety of services that support your wellbeing. We've pledged our commitment to The Mindful Business Charter and lots of our people contribute to our Wellbeing Responsible Business strand, which organises an annual calendar of wellbeing events and initiatives.

Benefits

• A minimum of 25 days holiday (plus the option to buy up to an additional 5 days)
• Discretionary bonus scheme
• Generous pension scheme
• Private medical insurance through Vitality
• Biennial private health assessment through Nuffield Health
• Life assurance
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to work scheme

Embracing our differences and valuing inclusion

Our shared aim is that everyone is welcome and can feel comfortable being themselves at Bevan Brittan. To support this, we actively value and promote equality, diversity and inclusion in everything that we do. You'll be empowered and supported through our employee led networks, diverse colleagues, and a broad range of firmwide initiatives.

Recognising the unique contributions that a diverse workforce can bring to our business, we encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We take great pride in being a Disability Confident Employer. If you need any adjustments throughout the recruitment process or have any questions, please get in touch with our recruitment team by emailing

Acting responsibly, now and for the future

To us, being a responsible business is second nature; a core part of Bevan Brittan's identity. Our colleagues are heavily involved in shaping and delivering activity across the four pillars of our Responsible Business strategy : Community Engagement; Environmental Sustainability; Equality, Diversity & Inclusion; and Wellbeing.

Our people deliver pro bono legal work for charities and not-for-profit organisations. We play an active role in our local communities and donated £100,000 across our four regional office charities last year. We are also proudly carbon neutral. We've achieved the UN's Climate Neutral Now accreditation and our environmental sustainability plan focuses on achieving our net zero carbon target by 2040.

Collectively, the four pillars ensure we look after our colleagues' wellbeing; offer an environment in which everyone can progress on merit, give something back to the communities in which we work; and protect the environment.