Property Litigation - Managing Associate

We are looking for a bright and highly motivated candidate with strong legal and tactical skills. We believe we have a lot to offer you: we are a busy team with a large amount of interesting work. You will have a very varied workload. You will be running your own cases as well as working alongside Andrew and Sophie on larger, more complex, cases. You will be given large amounts of responsibility and client contact, but within a close-knit supportive environment with partner input whenever you need it. We take a lot of care in developing our associates. Our two property litigation partners spend a lot of time working with, and nurturing, the associates in the team. Over the course of a year we would expect you to work around 1550 - 1600 chargeable hours. The partners take active steps (including turning work away) to ensure that the team is not overworked. As a senior member of the team, you will be expected to take a full role in managing and mentoring trainees and more junior associates. You do not need a following to be considered for the role. We will help you build and grow client relations once you are here, so that you are able to demonstrate that you have the potential to win business in order to be promoted to partnership. The firm has a well-established support framework for potential partners. Applications are also welcome from those who don't want partnership either soon or at all, but would like to work within a growing and ambitious team. Because the team sits within one of the general Commercial Litigation groups, there will also be some scope, if you wish, to obtain experience on more general commercial disputes to complement your skills as a property litigator. Both property litigation partners are solicitor advocates, as is one of our associates. The appointee will have the opportunity to develop his/her advocacy skills should he/she want to.

• Strong academics
• Excellent legal skills / attention to detail
• Ability to analyse information quickly and spot tactical angles
• Strong interest in property law and litigation
• Drive to achieve the best result for the client
• Articulate, orally and on paper
• A team player
• Trained, and is an associate at, a strong City or top tier regional firm
• Self-starter / initiative
  
  The team is led by Andrew Myers, a Chambers & Partners ranked property litigation partner, supported by Sophie Schultz who was promoted to partnership 7 years ago and is also ranked by Chambers & Partners. The team has grown to comprise currently 2 partners, 2 managing associates, 2 mid-level associate, 2 junior associates, 2 dedicated trainees and 2 secretaries. The firm's management is keen to grow this profitable practice area further. We attract work without difficulty and there is already a strong business case to make up more partners into the group.
Unlike many firms, the property litigation team at Stephenson Harwood does not form part of the firm's Real Estate practice group. Instead, we are a specialist sub-group within the firm's strong, profitable and hugely regarded Commercial Litigation group. This provides many advantages in terms of being able to draw on their know-how and resources. As you would expect we also work closely with the firm's sizeable Real Estate practice group. We are involved across the full range of commercial property litigation disputes, including development disputes, forfeiture, rights of light, overage claims, property contract disputes, nuisance, restrictive covenant disputes, contested lease renewals and property-related professional negligence claims. The work is varied and interesting. The team has a good mix between its own standalone cases coming in directly to the property litigation team (approx.. two thirds of its workload), and work for the firm's transactional clients. This means that team members have the experience of working on complex, challenging, big ticket standalone litigation, with relatively little property-management type work, although even that is often varied and interesting due to the range of types of projects with which our clients are involved. Most of our litigation is in the High Court. The team acted, successfully, on the biggest enfranchisement claim ever brought (Dolphin Square). We recently set a precedent on redevelopment break rights. We have considerable expertise in rights of light litigation, and we act for a number of train operating companies in their property disputes. Our work is about 90% commercial. We have recently successfully settled a negligence claim against one of the top property litigation firms in London. Although most of our work is for institutions or property companies, we do also act for the small businessman who needs a strong litigator to right an injustice. Cases we have on right now or have recently concluded include:
• Acting for a property owner in High Court litigation relating to termination of a development agreement including an urgent interim application for removal of the counterparty's restrictions on the title to enable the £150m development to proceed;
• A £30 million dilapidations claim against a major UK institution;
• Numerous rights of light disputes acting for both developer and adjoining owner, involving every area of this interesting area of law and developing a deep understanding of the technical aspects;
• Defending, with vigour, three high value forfeiture claims against a leading worldwide provider of serviced offices;
• Acting for a golf club to prevent an opportunistic forfeiture by a very aggressive freehold owner seeking possession so that it can develop the golf course for housing., With 8 offices worldwide and with our headquarters based in London, Stephenson Harwood is a law firm where our people are committed to achieving the goals of our clients - listed and private companies, institutions, and individuals across the globe. Our mix of expertise and culture results in a combination of deep local insight and the capability to provide a seamless international service.
Our experience encompasses corporate, commercial litigation and arbitration, employment, pensions and private wealth, finance, marine and international trade, and real estate and projects. We assemble teams of bright thinkers to match our clients' needs and give the right advice from the right person at the right time. Dedicating the highest calibre of legal talent to overcome the most complex issues, we deliver pragmatic, expert advice that is set squarely in the real world. 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 values: Individuality - We encourage creativity and develop talent Commitment - To be the best and deliver the highest standard Teamwork - We work together to build close, long-term relationships Straight talking - We say what we mean and do what we say These values express the personality of the individuals within our firm. They are the behaviours we encourage in our people and the standards which inform our decisions and actions. Our vision into 2026 To be a successful firm where talented people work together in an entrepreneurial environment, building long term client relationships. This vision is about who we want to be, as well as who we are. It is as much about our values as about our character - the attributes we want to see from all of our people. It also reflects the importance of remaining independent - a clear sign that we are confident in our own future. That's how we unlock our entrepreneurial spirit, advising our clients with top performing teams. A key part of the 2026 strategy is to focus on five core sectors: decarbonisation, life sciences, private capital & funds, technology, and transportation & trade. These have been identified as crucial in the drive for accelerated profitable growth.

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. What you can expect:
• A Competitive salary and a host of family friendly policies
• Life assurance, private health and dental care for you and your family
• A range of flexible benefits including gym discount and retail vouchers
• Tech, cycle and electric car schemes
• The opportunity to support the firm's charity through volunteering leave
• A wellbeing strategy that focuses on preventative measures to maintain overall health, and tools and support for when we experience physical or mental difficulties. The strategy focuses on four pillars: physical, emotional, financial and social aspects.