Senior Associate – Commercial Property
Job Description:
Phillips Law is looking for a Senior Associate to join our Commercial Property team in Basingstoke. This is a client-facing role with real breadth: you will manage a varied caseload of commercial real estate transactions, advise clients across sectors, and play an active part in developing junior team members.
In this role, you will be the person clients turn to for straightforward answers on complex transactions, and you will be expected to give them. Equally, this is a role where you can genuinely break the mould: we welcome fresh thinking and encourage our lawyers to challenge the way things have always been done.
About Phillips Law
Phillips Law was formed in 1986, and since then we have been committed to building the region’s strongest, dynamic, full-service law firm built on foundations of traditional values.
In 2026, we continue to be featured in the Legal 500 – a globally recognised legal directory that serves as a comprehensive guide for clients seeking premium legal services.
At Phillips Law our values mean we pull in the same direction, tell it like it is, do the right thing, break the mould, and deliver on our goals.
What you’ll be doing
- Handle acquisitions, disposals, lettings and lease renewals for landlords, tenants, investors, and developers with minimal supervision.
- Lead title investigations, raise and negotiate enquiries, and report to clients and funders.
- Prepare and negotiate leases, licences, agreements for lease, contracts, transfers, and related transactional documents.
- Maintain and grow relationships with existing clients; contribute to business development and pitches.
- Support, train, and supervise junior associates, trainees, and paralegals; review their work and provide constructive feedback.
- Work with colleagues in the corporate team on complex, multi-disciplinary matters.
- Ensure all files meet regulatory requirements, firm policies, and risk-management standards.
To be successful for this position, you must have / be:
- Qualified solicitor in England & Wales with 5–8 years PQE in commercial property, with a focus on landlord and tenant work and commercial sales and purchases.
- Strong technical knowledge of landlord and tenant law and commercial real estate transactions.
- Proven ability to run transactions from instruction through to completion with limited partner or supervisor oversight.
- Excellent drafting, negotiation, and client-care skills.
- Experience supervising or mentoring junior lawyers and/or support staff.
- Commercial awareness and a proactive approach to business development.
- Experience acting for tenants, landlords, property funds and/or developers. (Desirable)
- Exposure to development agreements, option agreements, or real estate finance. (Desirable)
- Established client following or demonstrable network. (Desirable)
What you’ll get
Phillips offers a company pension scheme, a group life assurance scheme, 26 days holiday annually, and we offer a range of benefits including a cycle to work scheme amongst others. In addition, there are regular social events, a running and walking club, weekly fruit and free entry into the Basingstoke Half Marathon of which we are headline sponsors.
Candidate Privacy Notice
Please note that any personal data provided in the course of your application will be processed in accordance with our Candidate Privacy Notice.
Equal Opportunities
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates.
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Enhanced maternity leave
- Enhanced paternity leave
- Health & wellbeing programme
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Paid volunteer time
- Private medical insurance
- Referral programme
- Sick pay
Application question(s):
- If not detailed on your CV, where are you currently based?
- If you are looking for Part Time hours, how many hours per week are you looking for?
Experience:
- Commercial Property: 5 years (required)
Work Location: In person
