Stephenson Harwood LLC
Real Estate Associate

How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
What we will offer
If you require this document in an accessible format (e.g. large print), please contact hr.recruitment@shlegal.com
We will offer you a place where you can be yourself and where there are no limits on what you can achieve. With us, you can take ownership of your career and have honest conversations throughout. You would join an ambitious firm with a clear strategy for profitable growth where you can get early responsibility and early involvement in growing the business. Here you can expect a competitive and fair reward as well as recognition based on all-round performance. This forms part of our internal promise to you, The Deal, between the firm and its employees.
Team Structure
Our experienced real estate finance practice has been advising lenders and borrowers on their activities in the property sector for over thirty years. We pride ourselves on understanding our clients' businesses and on our ability to find practical and commercial solutions for them, be they lenders, developers, investors, or end-users. For cross-border transactions, the team is able to draw upon the firm's extensive network of foreign counsel and other professional advisers and coordinate their input to ensure seamless transaction management.
You would sit within the Real Estate Group, which comprises 10 partners and approximately 25 other fee earners.
Your role would be as a property lawyer in the Real Estate Finance sub-team (a dedicated sub-team within the firm’s Property department).
The real estate finance group have regular know-how and legal training sessions covering the core practice areas. There are also associate development centres focusing on 'soft' skills and BD. The ongoing support and development of our associates is regarded as essential to our future growth and success.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
See breakdownIt searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Main Responsibilities
The role involves working as a property lawyer within the real estate finance team (with a focus on the real estate aspects). Work would primarily involve acting for banks and other lenders on the property aspects of their Real Estate Finance loans – e.g. carrying out property due diligence (either reviewing Certificates of Title or producing property reports), assisting on property related Conditions Precedents such as review of completion undertakings and completion mechanics and dealing with requests from borrowers for lender consents (e.g. to enter into new occupational leases).
The Real Estate Finance team also work with our insolvency and restricting group, helping advise receivers and administrators on property related matters following their appointments and also advise on standard real estate matters – primarily acquisitions and disposals.
The successful candidate will have gained a few years’ real estate experience and will have an interest in working on real estate finance transactions. Previous real estate finance and/or the real estate aspects of insolvency/restructuring would be useful (but is not essential as training will be given).
Attributes/Skills Required
- Experience working at a firm with a highly regarded real estate practice, with a proven track record in handling relevant matters at the appropriate level.
- Active participant in self-development.
- Commercial awareness.
- Exhibits an understanding of the Firm’s position in the market and how it distinguishes its services from its competitors.
- Excellent academic and professional qualifications.
- Good housekeeping/file management practices; manages and records time promptly and accurately.
- Organised and able to work to strict deadlines with the ability to prioritise realistically.
- Entrepreneurial.
- Excellent accuracy and attention to detail.
- Excellent verbal and numerical communication skills.
- A self-starter, able to work alone and within a small team.
- Ability to operate professionally and proactively at all times.


Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
About the Firm
Stephenson Harwood is an international law firm, and we're committed to creating 'positive partnerships' with our clients. We represent listed and private companies, institutions, and individuals, building lasting relationships to help them succeed in a complex and ever-changing world.
Our focus is on five core sectors: Energy Transition, Life Sciences and Healthcare, Private Capital and Funds, Technology, and Transportation and Trade.
With more than 1,500 people, including 250+ partners, across eleven offices in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, we combine deep legal capabilities and broad commercial expertise. We have also forged close ties with high-quality law firms around the world, blending local knowledge with global savvy for clients in over 100 countries.
We understand the power of diversity in delivering that high calibre advice to our clients. We want to attract diverse talent and we particularly encourage applications from underrepresented demographics.
Our brand strengths:
- GO FAR, GO TOGETHER
- EXPERTS IN MORE THAN LAW
- CAN DO PERSONALITIES
- ALWAYS READY
250+ PARTNERS
11 OFFICES
45+ LANGUAGES SPOKEN BY OUR PEOPLE
Offices in Al Khobar, Athens, Dubai, Hong Kong, London, Madrid, Paris, Riyadh, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, and an associated office in Guangzhou.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London