Real Estate Disputes Lawyer (Managing Associate)

Addleshaw Goddard is recruiting a Managing Associate to join its Real Estate Disputes team in Manchester. The role involves providing specialist legal advice and representation in high-value and complex real estate disputes, while taking responsibility for matter delivery, client relationships and the development of junior lawyers.

The position is suited to an experienced real estate disputes solicitor who can manage significant matters with a high degree of autonomy and take a leading role in complex landlord and tenant litigation.

The Real Estate Disputes Team

The Real Estate Disputes team forms part of Addleshaw Goddard's wider Real Estate Group and is led by seven Partners across Leeds, Manchester and London. The Manchester team includes two Partners, two Legal Directors, three Managing Associates and a wider group of Associates.

The team acts for landlords, tenants, developers, investors, corporate occupiers, banks and insolvency practitioners. Its work includes high-value and complex litigation, including reported cases before the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.

The practice covers a broad range of contentious property matters, including dilapidations, lease renewals, rent reviews, professional negligence and general property management disputes.

Key Responsibilities

The Managing Associate will handle a varied caseload covering real estate disputes, with particular responsibility for complex and high-value matters.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading complex landlord and tenant disputes.

• Advising on contested and uncontested lease renewals.

• Handling dilapidation claims.

• Advising on the service of break notices.

• Handling forfeiture and possession actions.

• Managing high-value litigation for clients with substantial property portfolios.

• Acting for developers, landlords, tenants, banks, financial institutions, insolvency practitioners and professional advisers.

• Taking day-to-day ownership of matters and developing litigation strategy.

• Managing client relationships and providing commercially focused advice.

• Working with Partners and Legal Directors on complex, high-profile and business-critical matters.

• Supervising, mentoring and developing junior lawyers.

• Delegating work effectively while maintaining high standards of technical quality and client service.

• Supporting pitches, panel appointments and other business development activities.

• Identifying opportunities to develop existing client relationships and establish new relationships.

Candidate Requirements

Applicants must be an England and Wales-qualified solicitor with at least six years' post-qualification experience in Real Estate Disputes.

Candidates should have strong technical expertise across a broad range of contentious real estate matters and the ability to lead complex landlord and tenant disputes and related litigation.

The role requires the ability to manage significant matters independently, exercise sound judgement on legal and procedural issues and recognise when matters require escalation. Candidates should also have a commercial and solutions-focused approach and be able to connect legal advice with clients' wider commercial objectives and risk considerations.

Strong client relationship management skills are important, including experience acting as a trusted day-to-day adviser. Candidates should also have strong organisational and matter-management skills, with the ability to balance competing priorities, delegate effectively and maintain high-quality work across multiple matters.

Career Development

The role provides significant responsibility within the Manchester Real Estate Disputes team, with opportunities to develop both technical expertise and leadership skills.

Addleshaw Goddard provides mentoring, leadership training and opportunities for international collaboration. The Managing Associate will also have opportunities to contribute to business development and strengthen relationships with key clients.