Location: London
Practice Area: Real Estate Finance / Knowledge Management
PQE Level: 5+ PQE
Contract: Full-time, Permanent
Overview
A leading international law firm is seeking a Senior Knowledge Development Lawyer (5+ PQE) to support its market-leading Real Estate Finance practice. This senior role is ideal for an experienced real estate finance lawyer who enjoys developing precedents, leading training, supporting innovation and driving knowledge strategy across a large, high-performing team.
You will play a pivotal role in shaping technical capability, enhancing client service, supporting business development and transforming the way real estate finance knowledge is delivered across the firm.
With an established Knowledge Lawyer framework, clear progression pathways and award-winning innovation initiatives, this is an exceptional opportunity to build visibility, influence and long-term career development.
The Real Estate Finance Team
The REF group consists of 40+ specialist lawyers advising on the full spectrum of real estate finance matters for:
- UK and international lenders
- Banks, debt funds & insurers
- Investors, developers & property companies
- Family offices & institutional borrowers
Work spans major transactions including:
- Development finance
- Hotel finance
- Islamic finance
- Mezzanine finance
- Cross-border structured finance
- PRS, student accommodation, logistics and office portfolios
The Knowledge function is recognised as one of the strongest in the market, with recent wins at the LexisNexis Legal Awards 2024 for Knowledge Management innovation and cross-team collaboration.
What to Expect in This Role
Knowledge, Training & Thought Leadership
- Design and deliver internal and client-facing training, workshops and webinars
- Produce high-quality legal updates, articles and client briefings
- Identify emerging trends and steer the team’s knowledge priorities
- Support business development through technical input on pitches and proposals
Precedent Development & Legal Tech
- Draft, review and maintain the full suite of real estate finance precedents, including:
- Fee letters (arrangement, agency, prepayment)
- Facility agreements
- Duty of care documents
- Security documents including debentures
- Subordination deeds
- Completion undertakings and ancillary documents
- Lead the redesign, streamlining and automation of precedents
- Work closely with legal tech teams to implement new tools, workflows and efficiencies
- Train lawyers on document automation, legal tech and best practice
Knowledge Management & International Collaboration
- Oversee borrower-side mark-ups and ensure technical consistency
- Manage and disseminate know-how across the wider Real Estate division
- Collaborate with overseas offices to create and update jurisdictional handbooks
- Play a key part in continuous improvement and innovation initiatives
About You
Essential Experience
- UK-qualified solicitor with 5+ PQE in real estate finance
- Strong background in drafting and negotiating REF documents
- Demonstrable experience in knowledge development, training or precedent management
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate complex issues into clear guidance
- Strong organisational skills with meticulous attention to detail
- Comfortable working independently, leading projects and driving innovation
- Experience with legal technology and/or document automation platforms (highly desirable)
Personal Attributes
- Proactive, curious and commercially aware
- Collaborative, supportive and confident working across teams
- Passionate about training, knowledge sharing and legal excellence
- Committed to providing practical, usable and high-quality content
- Strong interest in innovation and process improvement
Why Join This Firm?
The firm offers:
- A collaborative, supportive and forward-thinking culture
- Clear pathways for progression within a mature Knowledge Lawyer framework
- Opportunities to influence strategy, innovation and client delivery
- High visibility within a prestigious Real Estate Finance practice
- A commitment to diversity, inclusion and professional wellbeing
- Access to cutting-edge technology and legal innovation tools
- The opportunity to work with high-performing colleagues who value excellence, integrity and long-term growth
This role offers the perfect blend of technical leadership, strategic influence and innovation — with the stability and support of a top-tier platform.