Job Title: Senior Associate
Department: Commercial Property (Developments)
Location: Basingstoke 
Contract Type: Permanent

Job Description:

Phillips Law is looking for a Senior Associate to join our Commercial Property team in Basingstoke. Basingstoke. This is a client-facing role with a development focus. You will manage a varied caseload of commercial real estate transactions, including development matters, advise clients across sectors, and play an active part in developing junior team members and the practice.

Experience acting for developers and landowners in development related transactions, including acquisition, disposal, promotion agreements, options, conditional contracts, overage and site assembly is essential.

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 and development-related transactions for landlords, tenants, investors, occupiers 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.

Advise on development acquisitions and disposals, site assembly, option and promotion agreements, overage arrangements, agreements for lease, conditional contracts and related due diligence.

Maintain and grow relationships with existing clients, including developers, investors and landowners; contribute to business development, pitches and profile-raising initiatives.

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, and the principal documents and structures used on development projects.

Experience acting for developers, landowners, investors, tenants, landlords and/or property funds.

Exposure to development agreements, option agreements, promotion agreements, overage arrangements and/or real estate finance.

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.

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.

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Equal Opportunities

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates.