Head of Agriculture & Rural Services | Partner / Legal Director

Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
Practice Area: Agriculture & Rural Estates / Rural Property
Seniority: Legal Director / Salaried Partner / Partner

The Opportunity

Lex Exec is working with a highly regarded, independent law firm in Newcastle upon Tyne on an opportunity to appoint a Head of Agriculture & Rural Services.

The firm has an established rural practice, recognised in both Chambers and The Legal 500, advising landowners, farming businesses, rural estates and other clients across the agricultural sector.

This is a significant leadership opportunity for an experienced agricultural and rural property lawyer to take responsibility for an established practice, shape its future direction and drive further growth across the North East and wider rural market.

The appointment is particularly well suited to an established Legal Director or Salaried Partner, although we would also welcome confidential conversations with experienced Senior Associates who have developed the technical expertise, commercial judgement and ambition to take the next step in their careers.

For the right individual, this offers the opportunity to lead and develop a recognised practice, rather than having to build one entirely from scratch.

The Role

The successful candidate will lead the firm's Agriculture & Rural Services offering, combining high-quality fee-earning work with responsibility for strategic development, client relationships, business development and team leadership.

The practice is supported by colleagues across Real Estate, Private Client, Corporate, Employment and Dispute Resolution, providing opportunities to develop relationships with rural clients across a broad range of legal needs.

Working closely with an existing junior rural property solicitor, you will have the opportunity to shape the team's direction and develop its position within the regional and wider agricultural market.

Key responsibilities will include:

Leading and developing the Agriculture & Rural Services practice.
Advising on the acquisition and disposal of farms, landed estates, forestry and agricultural land.
Handling agricultural tenancies, farm business tenancies and rural lease arrangements.
Advising on rural development projects, including residential development, renewable energy and strategic land.
Drafting and negotiating option agreements, overage provisions and other land-related agreements.
Advising on rural residential, commercial and sporting leases.
Handling land registration, title matters and other rural property issues.
Developing relationships with landowners, rural businesses, land agents and professional advisers.
Working collaboratively with colleagues across the firm's wider rural services offering.
Mentoring and supervising junior lawyers while contributing to the strategic growth of the practice.

About You

We are interested in speaking with experienced agricultural and rural property lawyers who are attracted by the opportunity to lead a recognised practice and influence its future development.

You may already be operating at Partner or Legal Director level, or be an established Senior Associate looking for a genuine opportunity to progress into a broader leadership position.

Ideally, you will bring:

At least 8 years' PQE, with substantial experience in agricultural and rural property matters.
Strong technical expertise across rural estates, agricultural land transactions and associated property work.
Excellent client-facing skills and the ability to build trusted, long-term relationships.
A commercially minded approach to business development and practice growth.
The confidence and ambition to take responsibility for an established team.
An interest in mentoring junior colleagues and working collaboratively across practice areas.

An established network of rural clients and professional contacts would be advantageous, but equally important is the ability to develop relationships and build upon the firm's existing client base.

Previous experience of leading an entire department is not essential where an individual can demonstrate the capability and ambition to take that step.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This is an opportunity to take on a meaningful leadership role within a well-established, full-service law firm with a strong reputation across the North East.

The successful candidate will benefit from:

An established Agriculture & Rural Services practice recognised in Chambers and The Legal 500.
A platform of existing client relationships and complementary expertise across the firm.
Genuine scope to influence the strategic direction and future growth of the team.
The opportunity to develop a broader rural services offering alongside colleagues in other practice areas.
A competitive remuneration package and bonus scheme.
Comprehensive employee benefits and an established hybrid working model.
Long-term career development within a supportive, independent law firm.

For an experienced Legal Director or Senior Associate seeking greater autonomy, responsibility and progression, this could represent a particularly interesting next step.

Confidential Enquiries

For a confidential discussion about the opportunity, please contact Colin Lynam, Founder & Head of Legal Recruitment at Lex Exec.

Email: colin@lex-exec.com
Website: www.lex-exec.com

All enquiries will be treated in strict confidence.