Job Description

Job Title: Associate/Senior Associate - Property Litigation (Charities)

Ready to take your career to the next level?

We’re one of the UK’s most forward-thinking law firms, built on a foundation of innovation, collaboration, and ambition. Join us, and let’s shape the future together.

Being refreshingly human starts with how we hire. We believe a diverse mix of perspectives makes us stronger – not just as a business, but in creating a culture where we all feel we truly belong and can thrive. That’s why we’re committed to removing barriers and creating fair opportunities for everyone.

• We are in a period of exclusive direct sourcing for this role and are not currently accepting applications from recruitment agencies.

The role in 60 seconds

• Role: Associate/Senior Associate
• Team: Charity Property
• Location: Exeter or Bristol
• Working Pattern: Full-time or Part-time

Why this role matters: We act for many of the UK's leading charities, and you will play a key role in enabling them to continue their work by resolving complex property disputes and providing expert guidance to protect and preserve their vital property assets.

As winners of the "Best Legal Partner to the Legacy Sector" and "Best Property Partner to the Legacy Sector" at the Smee & Ford Legacy Giving Awards 2025, we are looking for a lawyer who will share in our dedication to clients in the legacy sector.

What you’ll do

In this role, you will:

• Advise charity and not-for-profit clients on a broad range of property litigation matters, including landlord and tenant disputes, lease renewals, rent reviews, boundary disputes, rights of way, adverse possession claims, trespass issues, possession proceedings, and disputes relating to third-party rights.
• Help charity clients safeguard and maximise the value of their property portfolios by providing pragmatic, commercially focused advice that protects their assets and supports their charitable objectives.
• Work closely with colleagues across our specialist Charities team, including property, private client, and legacy professionals, delivering joined-up advice on complex and often sensitive matters.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships, acting as a trusted adviser to charities, trustees, and not-for-profit organisations.
• Contribute to business development initiatives, helping to strengthen our reputation as a leading adviser to the charity sector.
• Support knowledge sharing and continuous improvement within the team, ensuring clients receive an exceptional and consistently high-quality service.

What we’re looking for

We are keen to hear from qualified solicitors with property litigation experience who are looking to develop or further specialise in advising charity and not-for-profit clients. You will bring:

• Qualified lawyer with experience handling a broad range of property litigation matters.
• Experience advising charities and not-for-profit organisations would be highly advantageous, but is not essential. We welcome applications from candidates with a genuine interest in the sector and an enthusiasm for developing specialist expertise in charity-related property disputes.
• Exposure to contentious probate, trust disputes, or disputes involving charitable estates and legacies would be beneficial, though not a prerequisite.
• Strong technical and analytical skills, combined with the ability to provide clear, practical advice tailored to clients' objectives.
• A proactive and collaborative approach, with a willingness to share knowledge, mentor others, and contribute to the continued growth of the team.
• Excellent relationship-building skills and the ability to develop and maintain trusted client and professional networks.
• A genuine commitment to collaboration, innovation, and delivering outstanding outcomes for clients.

What if I don’t tick every box?

We’re not box tickers. We appreciate the need for everyone to find a role that challenges them and gives them room for growth.

If you bring transferable skills and a fresh perspective, we’d love to hear from you. If this role excites you and you have the skills to succeed, we encourage you to apply.

Join a seriously ambitious firm

At Foot Anstey, we’re committed to making a difference for our people, our clients, and society. Here’s what makes us stand out:

• An ambitious growth strategy that opens up opportunities for our people to make their mark.
• A client base that spans household names, thriving startups, and ambitious enterprises.
• A culture built on our values of being refreshingly human, entrepreneurial, inclusive and collaborative.
• A strong focus on being a responsible business with a commitment to sustainability and giving back to our communities.
• Comprehensive professional development and training – whatever your role and level we have training that will support you to achieve your goals.

Progressive benefits tailored to you

We believe our people are our greatest asset. That’s why we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your professional growth and personal wellbeing, including:

• Competitive salary and performance-linked bonus.
• Employee sabbaticals.
• Enhanced parental leave policies.
• Private healthcare and wellbeing initiatives (e.g., mental health support, gym memberships).
• An open, flexible working environment.
• For a full list of our competitive benefits package, please click here

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Let’s make your next career move the start of something extraordinary.