JMC Legal Recruitment
Planning Senior Solicitor
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Planning Senior Solicitor (5–8 PQE) | West End | Legal 500 & Spears Ranked Firm
Are you a Planning Solicitor looking to take the next step in your career within one of London's leading real estate-focused law firms?
This is an excellent opportunity to join a highly regarded Planning team, working alongside two respected planning partners on some of the UK's most significant development and regeneration projects. You'll enjoy a high level of autonomy, direct client responsibility, and the opportunity to play a key role in the continued growth of a thriving practice.
The Firm
This firm has one of the most well-respected names across the West End. Ranked in the Legal 500 and recognised by Spears, it has built an outstanding reputation for advising entrepreneurial businesses, property investors, developers, and high-net-worth individuals across a broad range of commercial matters.
The firm has enjoyed sustained growth through strategic hires, strong leadership, and an unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional client service. Its collaborative culture is one of its greatest strengths, with lawyers benefiting from genuine partner access, excellent mentoring, and the opportunity to take ownership of client relationships and complex matters.
Known for its entrepreneurial approach, the firm embraces innovation and modern ways of working while maintaining a supportive environment where ambitious lawyers are encouraged to build long-term careers and progress their practice.
The Team
The Planning team forms an integral part of the firm's highly regarded Real Estate practice, working alongside market-leading lawyers across Real Estate, Construction, and Real Estate Finance to advise on the planning aspects of significant development projects throughout London and across the UK.
Led by two experienced Planning Partners, the team advises a broad spectrum of clients including developers, institutional investors, family offices, local authorities, logistics operators, and major property businesses on complex planning matters across residential, mixed-use, commercial, and strategic development schemes.
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The team is involved throughout the entire lifecycle of developments, from strategic planning advice and site acquisition through to implementation and delivery, providing commercially focused advice that helps clients successfully unlock and maximise development opportunities.
The Role
The firm is seeking a Senior Planning Associate (5–8 PQE) to join its growing team.
This role offers the opportunity to lead on complex planning matters, work closely with key clients, and play an active role in the continued development of the practice. Alongside managing sophisticated planning transactions, you'll supervise junior lawyers, contribute to business development initiatives, and strengthen long-term client relationships.
You will advise on matters including:
- Leading complex planning transactions from instruction through to completion
- Drafting and negotiating Section 106 Agreements, Section 278 Agreements, and wider planning and infrastructure documentation
- Advising on strategic land, major residential, commercial, and mixed-use developments
- Planning strategy throughout the development lifecycle
- Planning appeals, enforcement, compulsory purchase, judicial review, and statutory challenge matters
- Rights of light, heritage, environmental, and highways issues
- Supporting complex property development and investment transactions alongside the firm's Real Estate, Construction, and Finance teams
- Supervising and mentoring junior lawyers within the team
- Developing and maintaining strong relationships with developers, investors, landowners, and property businesses
- Taking an active role in business development and the continued growth of the Planning practice
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This is an outstanding opportunity for an experienced Planning Solicitor looking to take on greater responsibility within a collaborative and entrepreneurial team. You'll enjoy high-quality work, genuine autonomy, early client ownership, and a clear pathway towards the next stage of your career.
Requirements
- 5–8 years' PQE (England & Wales)
- Strong experience gained within a recognised planning practice
- Experience advising on major residential, mixed-use, and strategic development projects
- Extensive experience drafting and negotiating Section 106 Agreements, Section 278 Agreements, and wider planning documentation
- Experience advising on planning strategy, planning implementation, and contentious planning matters including appeals and enforcement
- Exposure to rights of light, heritage, and environmental planning issues
- Experience working closely alongside wider Real Estate and Construction teams
- Strong commercial awareness with excellent drafting, negotiation, and client management skills
- Experience supervising junior lawyers or a genuine interest in mentoring and developing others
- A proactive, collaborative approach and enthusiasm for contributing to business development and the continued growth of the team
This is an outstanding opportunity for a Senior Planning Solicitor to join a highly regarded West End firm, advising on market-leading development projects while enjoying genuine autonomy, close partner collaboration, and an excellent platform for long-term progression.
Apply now for confidential consideration or contact Charlie Simpkin at JMC Legal Recruitment for a discreet conversation.
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