Gattas Denfield LLP
Senior Associate - Property
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Senior Associate – Property
Pathway to Head of Property
About Gattas Denfield
Gattas Denfield is an ambitious, growing boutique law firm based in North London, with a strong reputation for providing high-quality legal advice through a personal, responsive and commercially focused approach.
The firm has grown organically over more than 40 years, establishing a strong and loyal client base. It’s now entering an exciting new phase of development, with an ambition to build a leading independent group of specialist boutique practices.
Growth will be underpinned by continued investment in people, infrastructure, marketing and business development with clear targets for the next 5 years, while retaining the qualities that distinguish a smaller practice: personal service, accessibility, agility and genuine client relationships.
The Property practice is a key part of this growth strategy. The successful candidate will join at an important stage in its development, with the opportunity to play a significant role in shaping its future direction, developing the team and strengthening its market position.
For an experienced lawyer seeking greater autonomy, closer client relationships and the opportunity to have a tangible influence on a growing practice, this represents an opportunity to work differently from the traditional City model.
The ideal candidate
Gattas Denfield is seeking an experienced Property solicitor who is ambitious, entrepreneurial and commercially minded, with the capability and appetite to develop into a senior departmental leader.
The successful candidate may already have experience managing people or a small team, or may be ready to take the next step towards departmental leadership. They may also be looking to move away from a larger firm environment where opportunities to influence strategy, develop client relationships and shape a practice can be limited.
The ideal candidate will:
- 5 + years PQE (guideline 5-8 years)
- Be a solicitor admitted in England & Wales and in good standing with the SRA
- Have strong Property experience and excellent technical expertise
- Be confident managing clients and complex matters independently
- Demonstrate strong commercial awareness and an understanding of the wider business implications of their work
- Have a natural ability to develop and maintain client and professional relationships
- Have an existing professional network, or a clear and credible appetite to develop one
- Have experience mentoring, managing or developing others
- Be comfortable taking ownership, making decisions and exercising sound judgement
- Enjoy working in an entrepreneurial and evolving environment
- Contribute ideas and challenge existing ways of working where appropriate
- Be motivated by the opportunity to build and lead a team
- Be ambitious about progression and motivated by the opportunity to make a visible contribution to the firm's growth
Above all, the successful candidate will be someone who wants to build something, rather than simply step into something established.
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The role
This is a role with responsibility beyond the management of a successful caseload. As Senior Associate, the successful candidate will take ownership of their clients, matters and contribution to the wider Property practice, while working closely with the firm's leadership team as the department develops.
A key aspect of the role will be acting as a link between the Property team and the firm's partners, providing day-to-day leadership and support while ensuring that priorities, challenges and opportunities are communicated effectively.
The role will combine high-quality legal work with client development, team leadership and contribution to the strategic growth of the Property practice.
Reporting line
Reports to: Oliver Gattas, Partner.
Direct reports: one trainee solicitor and two experienced conveyancers.
Legal and client responsibilities
- Manage a varied caseload of high-quality Property matters from instruction through to completion
Technical / transactional scope
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Freehold and leasehold sales and purchases (residential and commercial)
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Landlord and tenant matters
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Lease drafting, review and negotiation
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Title investigation and due diligence
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Secured lending, refinancing and bridging/commercial lending
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Property litigation or planning touchpoints, where relevant
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Provide technically strong, commercially focused advice
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Take full ownership of matters and deliver consistently high standards of client service
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Manage risk, compliance and file quality effectively, including: compliance with the SRA Standards and Regulations and the SRA Code of Conduct; anti-money laundering (AML) obligations and client due diligence/source-of-funds checks; and robust file risk management including file reviews
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Develop trusted, long-term relationships with clients and professional contacts
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Identify issues at an early stage and provide practical, commercially appropriate solutions
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Chargeable hours target: 1,300 hours/annum
Developing the Property practice
The successful candidate will play an active role in shaping the future of the Property department, including:
- Identifying opportunities to strengthen and expand the firm's Property offering
- Providing insight into market trends, client needs and emerging opportunities
- Contributing to the development of processes and ways of working as the department grows
- Working collaboratively with colleagues across the firm to support clients and develop the wider business
- Supporting the firm's ambition to develop its work in commercial property and bridging/commercial lending, alongside its existing strengths in high-value freehold work
Developing the team
The role will also involve increasing responsibility for the development and performance of the Property team, including:
- Mentoring and supporting junior lawyers
- Sharing technical and commercial knowledge
- Contributing to a positive, collaborative and high-performing culture
- Supporting recruitment as the team grows
- Taking increasing responsibility for team performance, development and standards
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A clear pathway to leadership
The role is designed to provide a clear pathway towards becoming Head of Property within 18–24 months, subject to performance, development and demonstrating the leadership capabilities required.
The successful candidate will be supported to develop the skills required to:
- Lead, motivate and develop a high-performing team
- Make sound commercial and strategic decisions
- Balance client, team and business priorities
- Take ownership of departmental performance and targets
- Identify and pursue opportunities for growth
- Contribute to wider business decisions
- Work closely with Marketing and Business Development to develop the practice
- Build a strong, sustainable and commercially successful Property department
This is therefore an opportunity for an ambitious senior lawyer to move beyond the traditional Senior Associate role and play a meaningful part in building and leading a growing practice.
Business development and commercial focus
Business development is considered an integral part of the role of a modern senior lawyer at Gattas Denfield.
The successful candidate will be expected to develop and maintain their professional network, identify opportunities within existing client relationships, build relationships with introducers and contribute ideas for generating new business.
They will also be encouraged to develop their own profile within the market and contribute to the firm's wider Marketing and Business Development activity, including networking, events, webinars, LinkedIn and targeted client communications.
The firm is particularly interested in candidates who already have an established professional network, or who can demonstrate a clear and credible strategy for developing one.
Recruitment process
Gattas Denfield's recruitment process is designed to be straightforward, professional and efficient.
Step 1: Introductory call with Partner.
Step 2: First meeting with a Partner and Marketing Director.
Step 3: Second meeting with senior leadership team.
Step 4: Background checks.
Step 5: Onboarding and training.
Meetings may be held virtually or in person, depending on candidate location and availability.
Learning and development
The role will include ongoing CPD, technical training and support including annual CQS qualification.
The package
- Role content: varied caseload across residential and commercial property
- Competitive bonus scheme – performance targets to 10%, with a transparent bonus scheme
- Pension: auto-enrolment workplace pension, employer contribution statutory minimum is 3%
- Holiday: 20 days plus bank holidays
- Family-friendly leave: maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave per firm policy
- Office based role – no hybrid working
- Induction and onboarding: structured induction and onboarding programme for new joiners
- Work-life balance: a chance to do top-quality work without compromising work-life balance
How to apply
Please send your application to careers@gattas.co.uk
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