Real Estate Associate -Utilities & Energy Focus - North West (Hybrid)

Regeneration, Development & Infrastructure | Utilities & Energy Focus

Manchester | Birmingham | Leeds | Newcastle | Liverpool  •  Hybrid Working

A leading national law firm is seeking a skilled and commercially minded Real Estate Lawyer to join its highly regarded Regeneration, Development and Infrastructure team. This is an exciting opportunity to play a central role in some of the most complex and consequential infrastructure projects in the country, working alongside a multi-disciplinary team of specialists at the forefront of the energy transition and utilities sector.

The Team
The Regeneration, Development and Infrastructure team specialises in large-scale development, regeneration and infrastructure projects, acting for national and local government, public-private partnerships, quasi-public bodies, and the private sector organisations that work alongside them. The team combines deep experience across the public sector with genuine commercial insight, delivering a full suite of legal services that spans real estate, planning and compulsory purchase, grant funding, subsidy control, commercial contracts, and construction advice.

This particular hire sits within the strand of the team that focuses on major energy and utility clients, advising on all property-related legal matters connected to energy infrastructure delivery — from grid upgrades and network expansion to pipeline installations and large-scale land assembly programmes.

The Role
You will take a lead role in advising major energy and utility clients on a broad range of property matters, with a particular emphasis on securing and managing the land rights necessary to deliver critical infrastructure. Day-to-day responsibilities will include:

• Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating property agreements including leases, easements, wayleaves, licences, and land acquisition documents
• Advising on land rights and title issues, including conducting due diligence and resolving title defects
• Managing land access and property rights for infrastructure development and ongoing maintenance
• Supporting land assembly programmes for utility projects such as grid upgrades and pipeline installations
• Negotiating and securing access rights, third party rights, and consents
• Advising on infrastructure agreements and land access strategies for energy projects
• Legal project management to support the delivery of multi-workstream mandates

About You
The successful candidate will be a qualified solicitor in England and Wales with strong commercial real estate experience and a genuine interest in the infrastructure and utilities sector. Specifically, you will bring:

• Solid experience in commercial real estate law, ideally with exposure to utilities, energy, or infrastructure sectors
• Excellent drafting and negotiation skills across a range of property instruments
• The ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder transactions with confidence and clarity
• Knowledge of statutory undertaker rights and relevant land law principles
• Experience advising public sector bodies or working within regulated industries
• A collaborative approach and the ability to work effectively across multi-disciplinary teams

Why This Role?

This is a rare opportunity to join a team working at the heart of the UK's infrastructure agenda — advising clients delivering the energy projects and network upgrades the country needs most. The team offers genuine variety, intellectual challenge, and the chance to develop deep sector expertise alongside colleagues across real estate, planning, construction, and finance.

The firm offers flexibility on office location — the role can be based in Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Newcastle, or Liverpool — with a hybrid working arrangement in place.
 
We are an equal opportunities employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't tick every box, we encourage you to apply — you may be exactly what we're looking for.

To apply or register your interest, please contact Joe Gregory at Think Legal Recruitment – joegregory@thinklegalrecruitment.com