Partner / Legal Director

About us

Birketts is a full service, UK Top 50 law firm. With a heritage spanning 160 years, we have more than 700 lawyers and legal professionals and over 600 staff based in Bristol, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Ipswich, London, Norwich and Sevenoaks. We advise businesses, government and public sector organisations and individuals in the UK and internationally across four principal practice groups: Real Estate, Corporate Services, Dispute Resolution and Private Client.

We are defined by our Next Level Law proposition. We work with our clients as a proactive partner, horizon scanning and thinking ahead to the changes, challenges or opportunities that they may face.

Next Level Law is also applied to our people. Our collegiate culture means everyone is encouraged to achieve their next level in everything they do. RollOnFriday recently ranked us as the 6th best law firm to work at in 2026.

With our ambition to succeed, comes a strong desire to make a positive contribution to the communities we serve, and we are committed to delivering the objectives set out in our ESG strategy. Diversity plays an integral part in all that we do, with female partners comprising 42% of our partnership.

The team you will join

Our Residential Real Estate team at Birketts is one of the largest and most diverse practices in the UK which is both award–winning and recognised at the highest level of its profession. The team work collaboratively across the Birketts' offices adopting a "one team" approach in everything they do, with client service at the heart of the practice.

We have 65+ team members across six offices, with Bristol being the most recent addition.

Despite being such a large team, spread across six counties, we have a unified vision and shared culture which allows our team members to thrive and achieve their goals.

We have a vacancy for a forward–thinking Team Leader to join the practice with a focus on rapid expansion within the local residential real estate market.

The work you will be doing

You will be responsible for establishing and managing a new team with a focus on technical–excellence, outstanding client service and business development.

You will be an active contributor to the core management group within the Residential Real Estate team across all offices which is responsible for team strategy and the employee experience.

As the Team Lead in Bristol, you will be an active contributor to the success of the office including establishing internal connections and being an ambassador of the Birketts' culture.

Responsibilities will include:

• To actively develop the business through existing and new connections
• To establish and thereafter grow the geographical team to become self–sustaining
• To explore new work types and opportunities for diversification
• To provide a vital interface between the team members and the management of the considerable overall team
• To be responsible for day to day management of team members at all levels including recruitment, performance management, managing staff absences and holidays, technical matters that arise on a daily basis, overall team financial and compliance management and motivating the team to perform to the highest standards
• To instil the Birketts' culture and brand signatures and values throughout the team
• To be the initial point of escalation for client feedback including effective first point of contact for complaints handling
• To be involved in the strategic management of the overall team and take on projects for the whole team, under the direction and leadership of the Residential Real Estate Partners
• To act for a range of clients from high end individuals to corporate entities on a diverse range of residential property matters
• To work alongside and develope relationships with high end property finders, estate agents and brokers
• To oversee and be responsible for the training of junior team members

Please note that this job profile is not an exhaustive list of duties but merely an outline of the key components of the role. You may be required by your line manager to take on additional responsibilities when requested.

What we are looking for

The role will suit a candidate with a following and marketplace presence to be able to actively and effectively help grow the practice.

• Solicitor with at least eight years' PQE gained at a strong regional or City firm
• Recognised technical expert who provides clear, tailored advice on complex legal and commercial issues.
• Drives efficient time recording, profitable pricing, strong cash flow, and team gross profit delivery.
• Leads business development and high–profile pitches, builds a strong market presence, wins new clients, and drives cross–selling opportunities.
• Delivers exceptional project and client management, consistently meeting expectations through strong communication and deep client understanding.
• Builds trust through strong relationships, continual professional development, clear communication of vision, and championing positive change.
• Demonstrates strong risk management, supports junior staff, upholds Lexcel standards, and maintains high compliance and file review performance.
• A proven ability to meet the demands of high value conveyancing
• To be competent in using Microsoft Word, Excel, time recording software, Outlook, digital dictation and have an appetite for embracing new technologies, including AI

Hybrid Working

Birketts is a flexible business which has embraced a hybrid working model where our colleagues enjoy a mix of home and office working. This role attracts a split of 60% office days and 40% working from home days per week.

We welcome applications from people looking for flexible, agile, and part–time roles and we are happy to explore your preferred working patterns as part of your application.

Benefits

As a Birketts colleague, you will be eligible to receive a wide range of benefits:

• 30 days holiday (FTE) plus Bank Holidays
• Long Service holiday award – 1 extra week every 10 years continuous service
• Private Healthcare with BUPA (offered after probation is passed)
• Scottish Widows Pension Scheme (5% employer / 5% Employee)
• Staff Profit Share and Individual Performance Bonus Scheme
• Salary sacrifice (Pensions, Staff Profit Share)
• Life Assurance – 4 x salary / Permanent Health Insurance
• Paid CSR Day
• Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Leave
• Subsidised gym membershipElectric car scheme