Senior Residential Development Solicitor

A leading national law firm is seeking a Senior Residential Real Estate Solicitor to join their highly regarded residential team in Bristol. This is an exceptional opportunity for you to work on high-value, complex residential and mixed-use development projects with some of the most prominent clients in the living sector. The firm is renowned for its supportive and inclusive culture, offering flexible working arrangements and a genuine commitment to your professional growth and wellbeing. You will be part of a collaborative environment where your expertise will be valued, and your career ambitions supported by knowledgeable colleagues who are invested in your success. With a strong focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, this organisation welcomes applicants from all backgrounds and offers resources to ensure everyone can thrive both professionally and personally.

What you'll do:

As a Senior Residential Real Estate Solicitor based in Bristol, you will:

• Provide expert legal advice such as conditional and unconditional contracts/transfers, option agreements, promotion agreements, development funding agreements, forward commitment/turnkey contracts, and collaboration agreements related to residential development.
• Manage existing client relationships with professionalism and care, ensuring their needs are met throughout every stage of the project lifecycle.
• Oversee high-value residential-led mixed-use developments for PLCs, regional developers, SMEs, registered providers of affordable housing, land promoters, and PRS investors.
• Support clients through all aspects of house-building projects including build to rent schemes, strategic land acquisitions, and affordable housing initiatives.
• Collaborate closely with colleagues across multiple locations to deliver seamless service on national projects within the living sector.
• Mentor junior lawyers within the team by sharing knowledge and fostering a nurturing environment that encourages learning and growth.
• Contribute to business development activities by identifying new opportunities with existing clients as well as potential new clients in the sector.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant legal regulations while maintaining the highest standards of ethical practice in every matter handled.
• Participate actively in internal initiatives focused on diversity, equity, inclusion, health and wellbeing to help shape a positive workplace culture.

What you bring:

To excel as a Senior Residential Real Estate Solicitor in this role you will bring:

• A qualified solicitor with at least 8 years’ post-admission experience specialising in residential development law within England & Wales.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex client relationships with sensitivity and responsiveness.
• Proven track record of handling high-value transactions involving house-building projects or mixed-use developments.
• Experience managing people or mentoring junior colleagues within a legal setting.
• Comprehensive understanding of the UK living sector including build to rent schemes, strategic land deals or affordable housing initiatives.
• Excellent interpersonal skills enabling effective collaboration with clients and colleagues alike across multiple locations.
• Commitment to upholding principles of diversity, equity and inclusion within professional practice.
• Strong organisational skills allowing you to balance competing priorities while maintaining attention to detail.
• Willingness to participate in business development activities aimed at expanding client relationships.

What sets this company apart:

This organisation stands out for its genuinely supportive culture that places people at its heart—emphasising openness over hierarchy and valuing each individual’s contribution beyond their job title. As signatories of the Mindful Business Charter they are committed to ensuring employees maintain healthy lives inside and outside work; practical resources are available for health and wellbeing alongside flexible working arrangements tailored around personal circumstances. Their dedication towards diversity is evident through active employee networks supporting under-represented groups—including those focused on race & ethnicity; LGBTQ+ identities; disabilities; family life; women’s career progression—and ongoing dialogue ensures these networks continue evolving according to staff needs. The recruitment process itself is designed with accessibility front-of-mind: adjustments can be made for candidates with disabilities or long-term conditions so everyone has an equal chance at success. Above all else this is an environment where difference is celebrated rather than merely tolerated—making it an inspiring place for anyone looking to advance their legal career whilst being part of something bigger than themselves.

For more information about this Senior Residential Real Estate Solicitor role or similar roles in Bristol and the Southwest please get in touch with me Jack Sheehan on 0121 260 2514 or Jack.Sheehan@RobertWalters.com

Robert Walters Operations Limited is an employment business and employment agency and welcomes applications from all candidates