Legal Counsel – Real Estate Finance
£80,000–£120,000 + up to 35% bonus | Flexible location | London 2 days per month
A genuinely commercial in-house opportunity for a Real Estate Finance solicitor looking to get closer to the deal.
We are working with a growing specialist financial services group that is expanding its in-house legal capability and is looking to appoint a Real Estate Finance Solicitor / Legal Counsel at around 4–8+ PQE.
This is an opportunity to join a developing legal function supporting a sophisticated specialist real-estate lending business. The role will sit very close to the commercial side of the organisation, working alongside origination, investment, credit and asset management teams on a broad range of real-estate finance transactions.
It would particularly suit a solicitor who enjoys the technical aspects of finance but wants to move beyond simply providing legal advice and become a genuine commercial partner to the business.
The role
The underlying business is an established specialist real-estate lender, providing funding across a wide range of transactions, from bridging and refurbishment through to significant development finance and more complex structured lending.
You will be involved across the transaction lifecycle, including:
- Development and acquisition finance
- Senior and stretch-senior lending
- Bridging and development exit finance
- Structured and bespoke real-estate finance
- Facility agreements and finance documentation
- Security packages, guarantees and debentures
- Property and corporate due diligence
- Intercreditor and priority arrangements
- Conditions precedent and completion
- Amendments, waivers and restructurings
- Potential enforcement and workout matters
The attraction is the quality and variety of the work. This isn't simply a high-volume documentation role. You'll have the opportunity to understand the underlying investment, work with the commercial team and help structure transactions to achieve the business's objectives.
What are they looking for?
Ideally, you'll have 4–8+ years' PQE with a strong background in:
- Real Estate Finance
- Development Finance
- Banking & Finance
- Acquisition Finance
- Structured Finance
- Investment Finance
The exact PQE isn't critical, but you will need to be capable of working independently as you will be the primary port of call for this wor.
They are looking for someone who is:
- Commercial and pragmatic
- Solutions-focused
- Client-centric
- Technically strong
- Comfortable negotiating with counterparties and external lawyers
- Confident dealing with senior commercial stakeholders
- Able to take ownership and make decisions
- Interested in the underlying transaction rather than just the legal documentation
This is an environment where the legal team is expected to help get deals done, rather than simply identify why something can't be done.
Why consider it?
Get closer to the deal
You'll work directly with the people originating, structuring and managing the investments.
Rather than advising a client from the outside, you'll be part of the business making the decisions and will see transactions through from initial structuring to completion and, where required, amendments or restructuring.
Sophisticated work
The lender operates across development, bridging, BTR, PBSA, hospitality, commercial property and other specialist real-estate sectors.
There is therefore genuine scope to work on complex and bespoke transactions, rather than repetitive standardised lending.
Help build something
The legal function is relatively new and is continuing to grow.
You'll be joining a team that currently includes lawyers, paralegals and trainees, with the opportunity to help shape the function, develop processes and influence how legal support is delivered across the business.
You'll also have access to modern legal technology and AI tools.
Strong remuneration
The salary is expected to be £80,000–£85,000, although they will consider much higher for an exceptional candidate.
There is also a bonus of up to 35% of salary, based on a combination of billing, individual achievements, behaviours, client relationships and wider business performance.
The targets are considered achievable and there is a strong bonus opportunity.
There is also no traditional time recording. Legal work is priced by matter, allowing the business to focus on the value and effectiveness of the legal support rather than simply hours recorded.
Location & flexibility
The role can be based wherever works best for you.
There are office bases in London and Manchester, with access to an established legal office in Leeds if required.
The main requirement is that you are happy to spend around two days per month in London to spend time with the internal ‘client’ and wider team.
Culture
The culture is professional, relaxed, supportive and ambitious.
This is a growing function rather than a long-established legal department, so there is a real sense of building something together.
It should particularly appeal to someone who wants the resources and backing of a substantial financial services group, but without the bureaucracy and rigidity that can sometimes come with larger organisations.
In summary
This is a particularly good opportunity for a Real Estate Finance solicitor who wants to move in-house without moving away from sophisticated transactional work.
You'll have the chance to work alongside a specialist lender, become closely involved in the commercial decision-making process, take genuine ownership of transactions and play an important role in building the legal function.
If you're a commercially minded Real Estate Finance solicitor who wants to be closer to the deal, closer to the client and closer to the commercial decision-making, we'd be very keen to hear from you.
To explore this quite unique opportunity further confidentially, please contact Rachael Mann / Sophie Linley at Sacco Mann on 0113 4677111 / 0113 2366711 or email Rachael.Mann@saccomann.com / Sophie.Linley@saccomann.com