Associate / Senior Associate / Legal Director (Planning & Environmental)

About the role

Birketts LLP is seeking an Associate, Senior Associate or Legal Director to join its Planning and Environmental team within the Real Estate department. The role involves delivering high‑quality legal advice to high‑net‑worth clients on complex planning and environmental matters, while contributing to the firm’s growth and reputation.

Key responsibilities

• Provide expert legal advice on planning, compulsory purchase, Development Consent Orders, highways, rights of way, waste management, environmental permitting, contaminated land, statutory nuisance, and nature conservation.
• Ensure client needs are met with professionalism and efficiency.
• Maintain and develop client relationships and support the firm’s strategic direction.
• Participate in networking events, conferences and business‑development activities.
• For Legal Director level: lead and mentor junior lawyers, fostering a collaborative environment.

Required profile

• Qualified solicitor with solid experience in planning and environmental law.
• Proven ability to manage high‑value, high‑profile matters.
• Strong client‑service orientation and commercial awareness.
• Demonstrated business‑development skills.
• Leadership and mentoring capabilities (for senior/director level).

Required skills

• Planning law and regulatory expertise.
• Compulsory purchase and Development Consent Orders.
• Highways, rights of way, and waste management knowledge.
• Environmental permitting, contaminated land, statutory nuisance.
• Habitat, nature‑conservation and related statutory matters.

What we offer

• A collegial culture that encourages career progression to the next level.
• Access to a top‑tier real‑estate practice recognised by Chambers and Legal 500.
• Commitment to ESG, diversity and community impact.
• Opportunities to work on high‑profile, complex projects across the UK.