Property Litigation Principal Associate / Legal Director

The role

We are looking for a talented and commercially minded Principal Associate or Legal Director to join our leading Property Litigation team. As part of one of the UK’s largest and most respected practices in this field, you will work with high-profile clients across the retail, leisure, development, and public sectors, delivering strategic advice on a wide range of complex property disputes.

You will lead on significant matters including landlord and tenant litigation, investment and development-related disputes, and specialist areas. Your role will involve managing key client relationships, mentoring junior colleagues, and contributing to the team’s growth through business development and thought leadership.

At Shoosmiths, we pride ourselves on our collaborative culture, practical legal insight, and commitment to excellence. This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced litigator to thrive in a dynamic environment that values initiative, innovation, and teamwork.

The team

Our national Property Litigation team is one of the largest and most experienced in the UK, offering unrivalled expertise in this complex area of law. We support clients across all aspects of landlord and tenant litigation and real estate disputes, including break notices, dilapidations, forfeiture, land registration issues, lease renewals, possession claims, rent recovery, rights to light, service charge disputes, property-related insolvency, and restrictive covenants. We also advise on niche areas such as telecommunications, judicial review, and agricultural law. Our clients range from household names in retail and leisure to investment landlords, developers, local authorities, and public bodies. Known for our strategic and commercially focused approach, we deliver robust legal insight and practical solutions to resolve even the most challenging property disputes. We foster a dynamic and collaborative environment, investing in our people through hands-on experience, structured learning, and a culture that rewards initiative—making this an exciting opportunity for those looking to work at the forefront of property law.

The firm

Shoosmiths is the law firm clients choose for excellent service, incisive thinking and above all for our ability to focus on what matters. From offices across the UK and Brussels, we support some of the world’s most exciting and ambitious businesses; amazing clients making an impact. We empower our people to be their authentic selves and deliver together in supportive teams committed to excellence and innovation. The first top 50 law firm to achieve ‘Platinum Standard’ Investors in People, our values and culture are not just words on our website but are the heartbeat of the firm.

We have an outstanding benefits package to complement our competitive remuneration system. In addition to the competitive salaries, great working environment and high-quality work, we believe that all staff should be rewarded for their commitment to the continued success of the firm through a comprehensive and flexible range of benefits.

To discover more about our benefits, please visit: Benefits Package

Equal opportunities

Our approach to our people is underpinned by our approach to diversity, inclusion and well-being. Our ambition is to build a diverse and ambitious workforce that reflects all backgrounds and talents, and a workplace that is supportive and inclusive, recognises and nurtures talent, and has a strong sense of community between colleagues.

This means that everyone who either applies to or works for the firm is treated equally, whatever their gender, age, ethnic origin, nationality, marital status, disability, sexual orientation or religious beliefs.

If you’d like to learn more about this opportunity or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Nina Marshall at [email protected].