Our European Real Estate client is seeking an experienced Senior Legal Counsel, based in Jersey, to take ownership of the Groups in-house legal function. This is a pivotal hire, offering a skilled property lawyer the opportunity to work directly with senior leadership across a varied and demanding portfolio of property, construction and corporate matters.

You will be the principal in-house legal adviser to the Group — managing the day-to-day legal workload independently, setting and enforcing legal standards, instructing and overseeing specialist external counsel, and contributing directly to the Group's commercial objectives.

There is a a blend of responsibilities that include Property Acquisitions & Disposals, Lease Management, Dilapidations, Structuring & Finance, Commercial Contracts, External Counsel Management, and Governance & Board Engagement.

Person Specification
Qualifications & Experience

Qualified solicitor (England & Wales; Jersey qualification or experience of Jersey law a significant advantage)
5–10 years PQE, with substantial experience in real estate transactions, landlord and tenant law, and/or construction and development
Strong private practice background from a real estate focused team also considered
Proven experience independently leading property acquisitions, disposals, and complex lease negotiations
Demonstrable knowledge of construction law including JCT contracts and professional appointments
Experience of multi-jurisdictional working, particularly across UK and offshore (Jersey/Guernsey) structures
Exposure to corporate and finance matters in a property context

Skills & Competencies

Technically strong property lawyer with broad transactional and advisory capability
Strong negotiator, commercially persuasive and legally rigorous
Confident in delivering clear, practical legal advice to non-legal audiences
Able to manage a complex workload with competing deadlines
Sound judgement on when to proceed independently and when to escalate
Commercially minded and understands that legal advice exists to enable the business
Experienced in managing external counsel for quality and cost