The Vacancy

About Us

We are an international law firm employing over 2,200 people globally across 28 international offices in 14 countries committed to delivering exceptional legal services to clients across global markets and industries. Our focus on quality standards drives our ambition to strengthen a high-performance culture by embedding excellence throughout our legal services practice. We foster an inclusive and collaborative environment where everyone feels they 'Belong' and can contribute effectively and are empowered to grow, innovate, and deliver outstanding client outcomes. It takes everyone to make us who we are and how we are. We're a culture of diverse perspectives, with each of us making unique contributions that make us better together. Our Values and Behaviours are driven by collaboration and are central to how we work and how we support our clients and colleagues, and together we value:
• People First - We put colleagues, clients and communities at the forefront of all we do.
• Embracing ESG - We collectively leave things better than we found them and focus on representing the diversity in our communities and striving for equity for all.
• Collaboration - Is the catalyst for success. We communicate in a constructive and thoughtful way.

About the Team

The Real Estate Litigation Group has an outstanding reputation for handling all kinds of property disputes and is consistently ranked highly in the leading UK directories for real estate dispute resolution work.

This is a core and expanding group which sits within the Real Estate Department (which consists of approximately 75 fee earners) and is one of the strongest real estate practices in the country.

It is respected both internally and externally as being a dynamic and expanding property litigation practice which has stand-alone clients, as well as clients in common with the rest of the Real Estate Department.

The two-partner team is led by Antony Phillips (recognised in all the Directories as a leading individual in this field) and Jamie Mangan (rated in the Legal 500 as a key lawyer who has a particular specialism in rent reviews and property-related professional negligence). Both Antony and Jamie are approachable and collaborative in their style.

This is an opportunity to join a collaborative and ambitious team, working closely with senior lawyers on high-quality work.

Role Purpose

We are seeking a Solicitor to join our market-leading Real Estate Litigation practice in Manchester. You will be involved in the full spectrum of property disputes carried out at each of our offices. Some of the recent work carried out to date includes:

1. Acting for INEOS, British Pipeline Agency Limited, Angus Energy plc, Dart Energy (East England) Limited, Island Gas Limited, and IGas Energy plc, in addition to a number of international and UK real estate developers, to protect private land and operational sites from trespass/acts of protest via pre-emptive injunctive relief;
2. Advising City of London Corporation on the project to move the wholesale markets of Smithfield and Billingsgate to the new, co-located £100m Dagenham Dock site;
3. Advising Reaction Engines Limited in its £multi-million damages claim against trustees of a property unit trust for damages flowing from breaches of an agreement for lease;
4. Acting for a leading housebuilder in respect of several £multi-million pound overage disputes;
5. Acting for a specialist provider of bridging finance on a professional negligence claim against a firm of surveyors;
6. Acting on a professional negligence dispute relating to the sales of two development sites;
7. Acting for a property development company in relation to a c£50m professional negligence claim in the High Court; and
8. Acting for specialist loan and mortgage lenders in connection with a possession claims and receiverships arising from significant arrears under bridging loans.

Our career development drivers set out what professionals are expected to demonstrate at each level of development. In this role, a Solicitor will be expected to contribute across the following areas:

• Business & Financial Management e.g. Demonstrate commercial awareness of own practice area and consistently meet hours/billing targets.
• Client Focus e.g. Build knowledge of clients and their sectors and attend and assist with organising client events and seminars.
• Working with People & Teams e.g. Build confidence in giving legal advice to clients, checking work with supervisor in advance.
• Business Development e.g. Shows awareness of how to identify potential new business opportunities and asks relevant and insightful questions in interactions with clients and colleagues.
• Technical Skills e.g. Interprets and solves problems using research and analysis.
• Knowledge & Innovation e.g. Expand knowledge of company types, structures and main characteristics and is able to recognise and evaluate an opposing point of view.

Key Responsibilities

• Dealing with contentious and potentially non-contentious matters.
• Draft legal documents.
• Conduct legal research.
• Assist with business development initiatives.
• Ensure accurate and efficient recording of time and effective diary management.
• Liaise with clients, counsel, barristers, and external advisors, and other stakeholders in a professional and empathetic manner.

Experience and Qualifications

• Qualified Solicitor in England & Wales.
• Strong academic background and excellent drafting, analytical, and communication skills.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining exceptional quality standards.
• A genuine interest in property litigation and a commitment to delivering high-quality client service.
• Commercial awareness and a proactive approach to client service and practice development.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team with the ability to contribute positively to team culture, promoting inclusion and collaboration effectively across global teams.

Who are we looking for?

• We don't have a type. We believe our differences are our strength; varied cultures, approaches and experiences can only benefit us.

What do we offer?

• You can be yourself: It takes everyone to make us who we are. We're a culture of diverse perspectives, with each of us making unique contributions that make us better together.
• In the office or WFH?: We think the best balance is more time in the office than at home, so we operate a 60:40 rule.
• Beyond salary: We offer plenty of benefits; private medical insurance, health cash plan, dental insurance, life assurance, critical illness insurance, matched pension contributions up to 7%, holiday trading, plus many more. Visit: Reward & Benefits ¦ Fieldfisher.
• Come for the WOW views: Based on the 17th floor in No.1 Spinningfields, with views of the entire City.
• Nurturing your talent: Take a 'build a career' approach to your training. You'll be on a pathway but free to wander if you see something you'd like to study more closely.
• Funnel your interests: You have a life outside work, and we can help it to flourish. Join clubs, affinity networks, inclusive events, and pro bono/charity initiatives.

Inclusion at Fieldfisher

At Fieldfisher, inclusion is central to how we work. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels respected, supported and able to succeed.

If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process or once you join us, we will work with you to put the right support in place. Examples include extra time for assessments, accessible document formats, alternative interview formats, quiet rooms, or physical and technological accessibility support.

For accessibility information on our Manchester office, visit: Accessing Fieldfisher Manchester ¦ Fieldfisher

What to do next:

• Click 'Apply Now', complete an online application and upload a CV.
• Successful applications will be invited to a 20-30-minute introductory call with a recruiter.
• Every role recruits differently. But we'll always let you know what to expect from the process, so you get no surprises.
• For hybrid opportunities, you'll be invited to visit our offices for a face-to-face meeting.
• We try to make sure the process takes around 2-3 weeks only, but we can't always promise that. We will work around everyone's availability. You can contact us at Liam.Stockton@fieldfisher.com.

We recruit on a rolling basis. Your application may be reviewed before the application deadline. We accept applications until we have filled the role.

The Firm

We are not a UK firm with offices in Europe. We are a European law firm at our core. While our HQ is London, we are spreading across Europe at pace. In addition to UK, China and Silicon Valley we have offices in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal and Spain.

With 28 offices across 14 countries, we work collaboratively with each of our offices to ensure our clients receive the best advice and support. You might expect an impersonal office culture, but you will find a homely, family feel even in the largest offices.

Quality on both sides
Across all our offices and jurisdictions are market-leading practices in corporate/M&A, finance, real estate, energy and natural resources, technology and life sciences.

We count as clients large corporations including major technology firms, pharmaceutical and life sciences companies, energy suppliers, infrastructure companies, global banks and financial institutions.

We aim to ensure equality of opportunity and are actively working towards improving the diversity of our staff. Applications will be considered on merit and the applicant's suitability to meet the requirements of the role.

Benefits

Generous annual leave

Health insurance

Pension contributions

Life assurance

Season ticket loans

Bike to work loans

Testimonial

Charlotte Round - Finance Partner, Manchester

"It is great being in a firm which "gets" cross-office working - to feel properly part of a national team and to work with colleagues in other specialisms who are unconstrained by geography."

Richard Dwight - DMS Team Leader at Fieldfisher

"I consider Fieldfisher to be a progressive firm with an understanding of social values. I'm pleased that staff is able to have input in the firm's direction and purpose as well as help to shape wider society. I'm encouraged to perform by being able to develop in a natural way, whilst being supported at every step.

Fieldfisher has managed to nurture a really positive and friendly culture. If they have drive and ambition, I would encourage anybody looking for a role here to grab the opportunity."

Rebecca Reardon - Executive Assistant

"Since joining Fieldfisher in 2016, I have progressed from an entry-level secretarial role to an experienced executive assistant. This was made possible by a supportive and inclusive working environment that allows staff to progress at a pace that is best suited to them which in turn makes for well-rounded, home-grown talent.

The firm strikes a great balance between providing the foundations for success and autonomy of your own growth and development. An insight I would give to potential applicants is that Fieldfisher offers the opportunity for a career and a sense of belonging to a community and not just a job."