Legal Counsel - Real Estate Finance Lawyer

ROLE PURPOSE - London or Manchester Based To provide commercially focused legal support across real estate and real estate finance activities, including advising on, negotiating and executing commercial property and financing transactions, while supporting business stakeholders and fund platform clients in achieving their commercial objectives. The role offers the opportunity to manage a broad range of transactions while working collaboratively with experienced colleagues on more complex or strategic matters. You will work closely with clients and internal stakeholders across Credit, Real Estate, Direct Lending and Asset Management, providing practical legal advice that supports commercial decision-making and successful transaction delivery. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Real Estate Transactions · Advise on a range of non-contentious commercial real estate transactions, including acquisitions, disposals and asset management matters. · Draft, review and negotiate property documentation. · Support transactions from instruction through to completion. · Identify and manage legal risks associated with property transactions. · Work closely with internal stakeholders and external advisers to facilitate transaction delivery. Real Estate Finance · Advise on property-backed lending and real estate finance transactions. · Draft, review and negotiate finance documentation, security documentation and ancillary documents. · Support transaction structuring, legal risk allocation and completion processes. · Assist with funding and completion arrangements. · Work closely with Investment, Credit and Asset Management teams on financing transactions. Advisory & Stakeholder Support · Provide pragmatic, commercially focused legal advice to clients and business stakeholders. · Build and maintain effective working relationships with clients and internal stakeholders. · Support the development and maintenance of legal precedents, templates and processes. · Manage multiple matters simultaneously while maintaining high standards of accuracy and service delivery. · Collaborate with colleagues across Arrow Group businesses and jurisdictions where required. EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS Real Estate & Real Estate Finance · Qualified Solicitor (England & Wales or equivalent). · Experience advising on non-contentious commercial real estate matters. · Experience advising on real estate finance or secured lending transactions. · Experience drafting and negotiating commercial property and finance documentation. · Experience managing transactions from instruction through to completion. · Experience working directly with clients and business stakeholders. Experience may have been gained in private practice, an in-house legal team or another relevant legal environment. ESSENTIAL SKILLS · Strong understanding of commercial real estate transactions. · Understanding of real estate finance and secured lending structures. · Strong drafting, negotiation and legal analysis skills. · Ability to manage matters independently while recognising when to seek guidance on more complex issues. · Commercially aware approach to legal problem solving. · Strong stakeholder management and communication skills. · Strong organisational and project management capabilities. · Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality work within agreed timescales. · High levels of accuracy and attention to detail. DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE Experience in one or more of the following: · Real estate-backed lending. · Private credit transactions. · Direct lending structures. · Alternative lending platforms. · Fund-related real estate transactions. · Experience supporting investment or credit-focused businesses. IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE Real Estate & Finance Specialist A commercially minded lawyer with strong real estate and real estate finance fundamentals who can manage a broad range of transactions, build effective stakeholder relationships and deliver practical, commercially focused legal advice, while continuing to develop through exposure to more complex matters. Inclusion and Equal Opportunities APS Legal is committed to creating an inclusive working environment where everyone is treated fairly and with respect. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and during employment where required. Key Responsibilities KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Real Estate Transactions · Advise on a range of non-contentious commercial real estate transactions, including acquisitions, disposals and asset management matters. · Draft, review and negotiate property documentation. · Support transactions from instruction through to completion. · Identify and manage legal risks associated with property transactions. · Work closely with internal stakeholders and external advisers to facilitate transaction delivery. Real Estate Finance · Advise on property-backed lending and real estate finance transactions. · Draft, review and negotiate finance documentation, security documentation and ancillary documents. · Support transaction structuring, legal risk allocation and completion processes. · Assist with funding and completion arrangements. · Work closely with Investment, Credit and Asset Management teams on financing transactions. Advisory & Stakeholder Support · Provide pragmatic, commercially focused legal advice to clients and business stakeholders. · Build and maintain effective working relationships with clients and internal stakeholders. · Support the development and maintenance of legal precedents, templates and processes. · Manage multiple matters simultaneously while maintaining high standards of accuracy and service delivery. · Collaborate with colleagues across Arrow Group businesses and jurisdictions where required. Skills, Knowledge and Expertise EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS Real Estate & Real Estate Finance · Qualified Solicitor (England & Wales or equivalent). · Experience advising on non-contentious commercial real estate matters. · Experience advising on real estate finance or secured lending transactions. · Experience drafting and negotiating commercial property and finance documentation. · Experience managing transactions from instruction through to completion. · Experience working directly with clients and business stakeholders. Experience may have been gained in private practice, an in-house legal team or another relevant legal environment. ESSENTIAL SKILLS · Strong understanding of commercial real estate transactions. · Understanding of real estate finance and secured lending structures. · Strong drafting, negotiation and legal analysis skills. · Ability to manage matters independently while recognising when to seek guidance on more complex issues. · Commercially aware approach to legal problem solving. · Strong stakeholder management and communication skills. · Strong organisational and project management capabilities. · Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality work within agreed timescales. · High levels of accuracy and attention to detail. DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE Experience in one or more of the following: · Real estate-backed lending. · Private credit transactions. · Direct lending structures. · Alternative lending platforms. · Fund-related real estate transactions. · Experience supporting investment or credit-focused businesses.