Q1 Overview - Commercial Real Estate roles in London

Compared to the first quarter of 2025 the first quarter of 2026 for commercial real estate was much more active. With a total of 49 roles advertised across UK international, US and City/regional law firms in 2026 compared to just 29 in Q1 2025. Of these, 15 roles were carried over from Q4 2025 and 34 were new, indicating a significant increase in fresh hiring activity during the quarter.

Roles spanned investment, development and asset management, they were spread across different levels, although the majority of the roles were at the mid/senior levels. However there were four NQ roles advertised and three PSL positions.

While a number of roles closed during Q1 there were 20 roles still open going into Q2. Below are overviews of roles advertised by firms:

Addleshaw Goddard

Addleshaw Goddard advertised one role during Q1. In February, they launched a Real Estate Managing Associate role (5+ PQE), which remained open going into Q2. That role covered a broad commercial property caseload spanning investment, development, funding and asset management, with particular emphasis on stakeholder management, high-value transactions, legal tech and business development within the London real estate team.

Ashurst

Ashurst carried over a Senior Associate, Real Estate role (5+ PQE) from Q4 2025, which closed in March. The role focused on high-value investment, development and joint venture transactions within the firm’s London real estate team. The firm sought a commercially astute senior lawyer able to lead complex matters, negotiate sophisticated documentation, manage teams and act as a key client contact.

Boodle Hatfield

Boodle Hatfield launched an Associate - Commercial Property role (2–3 PQE) in February, which closed in March. The role involved advising private investors, developers, family offices and institutions on landlord and tenant matters, asset management, development, investment acquisitions and disposals, and real estate finance support. The firm sought a technically strong lawyer with sound commercial property training, attention to detail and the confidence to run matters while supporting partners on larger transactions.

Capsticks

Capsticks was active with two property-related roles during the quarter. In January, the firm advertised an Associate / Senior Associate – Housing Management role, which closed in February and focused on housing management litigation for housing associations, local authorities and co-operatives.

In February, Capsticks launched an Associate – Real Estate role, which remained open going into Q2. That role centred on broad commercial property work for NHS bodies, local government and wider health and social care clients, including development projects, asset management and major disposals, with healthcare sector exposure helpful but not essential.

Charles Russell Speechlys

Charles Russell Speechlys launched an Associate/Senior Associate – Real Estate Development role (5+ PQE) in January, which closed in February. The role focused on housebuilding, strategic land and regeneration work in London, including development acquisitions and disposals, landlord and tenant matters, leases and portfolio transactions. The firm sought a practical and commercially minded lawyer able to manage substantial workloads, handle complex title due diligence and contribute to client development and know-how initiatives.

Cripps

Cripps entered the market in January with a Senior Associate – Development role, which closed in March. The role covered residential and commercial development work across the full development lifecycle, including options, promotion agreements, land sales and acquisitions, site assembly and joint ventures. The firm sought a development lawyer able to run their own matters, work collaboratively with planning, construction, corporate and finance teams, and support business development and legal tech initiatives.

DAC Beachcroft

DAC Beachcroft advertised two real estate roles during Q1. In January, the firm launched an Associate – Property Development role (2–5 PQE), which remained open going into Q2 and focused on investment and development work for the London House Builders team, including build-to-rent, offices, data centres and co-living projects. In March, DAC Beachcroft also launched a Senior Associate – Commercial Real Estate role (5–6 PQE), which remained open at the end of the quarter. That role covered acquisitions, disposals, landlord and tenant work, due diligence and development matters, with scope to lead transactions, supervise juniors and build client relationships in a growing London team.

Dentons

Dentons was active across knowledge and fee-earning real estate roles during the quarter. In January, the firm launched a Practice Development Lawyer role, which remained open going into Q2 and focused on supporting the real estate team through precedent modernisation, practice notes, technical queries, training and document automation. Dentons also advertised a Senior Associate – Real Estate role for its fully remote Real Estate Virtual team in January, which closed in March, and a further Senior Associate, Real Estate (Virtual) role in February, which remained open going into Q2. These virtual roles focused on high-volume transactional delivery across corporate real estate, real estate finance, asset management, due diligence and insolvency-related transactions, with an emphasis on technical expertise, independence and specialist know-how.

Devonshires

Devonshires was particularly active during Q1 across development and specialist portfolio roles. A Solicitor (Stock Rationalisation) – Real Estate role (3–5 PQE), first advertised in Q3 2025, remained open going into Q2 and focused on portfolio transactions, stock transfer agreements, leases and title reporting within a specialist stock rationalisation team. In January, the firm launched two Real Estate & Projects roles, at 2–4 PQE and 5–8 PQE respectively, both of which closed in March; these roles focused on site acquisition and development projects, including conditional contracts, overage agreements, planning review and infrastructure agreements, with the more senior role carrying greater responsibility for client relationships and supervision.

In March, Devonshires then launched two further Solicitor roles at 5–8 PQE and 2–4 PQE, both of which remained open going into Q2, again focused on development acquisitions, disposals, title issues, planning matters and broader project work. 

DWF

DWF carried over an Associate – Real Estate role from Q4 2025, which remained open going into Q2 (but then closed in mid April). The role covered investment, development, finance, acquisitions, disposals and asset management for pension funds, financial institutions and international investors. The firm sought a confident and collaborative real estate lawyer able to manage files independently, supervise juniors and support the growth of its national real estate practice.

Farrer & Co

Farrer & Co carried over an Associate – Commercial Real Estate role (NQ-1 PQE) from Q4 2025, which closed in January. The role involved advising private property companies, funds, entrepreneurs and high-net-worth individuals on acquisitions and disposals, landlord and tenant work, investment and development transactions, and secured lending. The firm sought a technically strong and commercially pragmatic junior lawyer suited to a high-quality, client-focused practice.

Fieldfisher

Fieldfisher carried over a Professional Support Lawyer - Real Estate Transactional role from H1 2025, which closed in February. The role focused on strategic research, knowledge management, client engagement, training and innovation, including AI integration. The firm sought an experienced real estate lawyer with deep legal expertise, leadership capability and strong communication skills.

Forsters

Forsters advertised two commercial real estate roles during the quarter. A Knowledge Development Lawyer (Commercial Real Estate) role, first advertised in Q4 2025, closed in February and focused on precedents, training, fee-earner support and legal updates. In January, the firm also launched an Associate, Commercial Real Estate role (2–4 PQE), which closed in March. That role centred on asset management and investment work, including sales and acquisitions, lettings and real estate finance, primarily for institutional clients across logistics, offices, hotels and R&D sectors.

Freeths

Freeths advertised one role in the broader real estate market which remained open going into Q2. A Senior Associate / Managing Associate – Drinks, Hospitality and Leisure role, launched in January, focused on operator-led real estate work for pubs, restaurants, hotels and leisure brands, including site acquisitions and disposals, developments, pre-lets, re-gears and estate management. 

Fried Frank

Fried Frank launched two real estate associate roles in January, both of which closed during the quarter. A Commercial Real Estate Associate role (3–4 PQE) closed in February and focused on high-value acquisitions, disposals, financings and developments for investors, developers and funds. A Real Estate Associate role (1 PQE) closed in March and had a more corporate real estate flavour, covering real estate joint ventures, structured investments, acquisitions and disposals of real estate-holding structures, capital solutions and complex cross-border matters.

Gowling WLG

Gowling WLG advertised two CDI roles in February, both of which closed in March. A CDI Associate role focused on commercial development and investment transactions, including acquisitions, disposals, lettings, asset management and development projects for developers and institutional investors. A CDI Senior Associate role (7+ PQE) carried a broader remit, including major lettings, acquisitions and disposals, funding work, title investigation and certificates of title, alongside development support, client relationship building and business development. 

Greenberg Traurig

Greenberg Traurig carried over an Associate – Real Estate role from Q4 2025, which remained open going into Q2. The role spanned asset management, acquisitions and disposals, development, corporate transactional investment and property aspects of finance work. The firm sought a technically strong lawyer with general commercial property experience and the ability to manage parallel workstreams in a collaborative London team.

Herbert Smith Freehills

Herbert Smith Freehills carried over a Real Estate, Mid or Senior Associate role (4+ PQE) from H1 2025, which closed in January. The role focused on investment, development, finance and regeneration projects for major investors and developers. The firm sought a commercially minded real estate lawyer with broad transactional experience and the ability to handle complex, high-profile work within a leading practice.

Hill Dickinson

Hill Dickinson launched an Associate – Health Real Estate role in January, which closed in February. The role focused on commercial property work for NHS bodies and private health and social care providers, including landlord and tenant matters, title investigation, leases, easements, M&A support and secured lending due diligence. The firm sought a lawyer with strong commercial property experience, excellent organisation and the ability to manage high-volume deadlines.

Howard Kennedy

Howard Kennedy advertised two real estate roles during the quarter, both of which had been carried over and both closed during Q1. An Associate – Real Estate, Commercial Property role, first advertised in Q3 2025, closed in January and covered acquisitions, disposals, leases, landlord and tenant work and portfolio management. An Associate – Real Estate, Development role, first advertised in Q4 2025, closed in February and focused on development transactions, including site acquisitions and disposals, option and overage agreements, conditional contracts, affordable housing transactions and finance-related property work.

Hunters

Hunters launched an Associate – Commercial Property Department role (3–4 PQE) in January, which remained open going into Q2. The role covered a broad mix of rural estates and mainstream commercial property work, including sales and purchases, agricultural tenancies, development agreements, landlord and tenant matters, asset management, real estate finance and corporate support. 

Ingram Winter Green

Ingram Winter Green continued to advertise Property Solicitors roles (4–6 PQE), first launched in H1 2025, and these remained open going into Q2. The roles covered a broad mix of commercial and residential work, including acquisitions, developments, leases and property finance. The firm sought commercially minded lawyers able to work independently within a supportive team, with a modest client following desirable but not essential.

Irwin Mitchell

Irwin Mitchell was active across two commercial real estate roles. In January, the firm launched a Real Estate Solicitor/Associate role (2–7 PQE), which remained open going into Q2 and covered acquisitions, disposals, developments, landlord and tenant work, real estate finance and insolvency-related property matters. Also in January, it launched a Senior Associate – Real Estate role (6–10 PQE), which closed in March and focused on leading complex development, strategic land, investment and portfolio matters, with strong emphasis on project management, leadership and business development.

Osborne Clarke

Osborne Clarke advertised a Real Estate Senior Associate/Associate Director role twice during the period. A role first advertised in Q3 2025 closed in January and focused on transactional investment work, asset management, financings and some development projects. In March, the firm launched a further Real Estate Senior Associate/Associate Director role, which remained open going into Q2 and similarly focused on high-quality transactional investment, financing and asset management work across sectors including logistics, residential and commercial development. 

Russells Solicitors

Russells carried over a Property Lawyer vacancy (8+ PQE) from Q3 2025, which closed in February. The role involved a broad mix of residential and some commercial transactions, including leasehold sales and purchases, remortgages, lease extensions and related advisory work. The firm sought a lawyer with wide-ranging property experience and, ideally, a client following.

Stephenson Harwood

Stephenson Harwood advertised two real estate roles during Q1, both of which closed during the quarter. A Real Estate Finance Associate role, first advertised in Q4 2025, closed in January and focused on the property elements of lender-side real estate finance transactions, including due diligence, conditions precedent and insolvency-related property issues. In February, the firm launched a Real Estate Associate role, which closed in March and covered investment acquisitions and disposals, asset management, landlord and tenant work and, ideally, development matters, for a demanding corporate client base.

TLT Solicitors

TLT launched a Managing Associate – Infrastructure Planning & Parliamentary role in February, which remained open going into Q2. While not a mainstream commercial real estate role, it sat adjacent to the sector and focused on land rights and consenting for nationally significant infrastructure projects, including compulsory purchase powers, DCOs, TWA Orders, land and works agreements and related land law and environmental issues. The firm sought a strong real estate lawyer able to work autonomously, supervise juniors and help grow the offering.

Trowers & Hamlins

Trowers & Hamlins advertised three roles relevant to the wider real estate market. A newly qualified Associate – Real Estate (Investment & Development) role, launched in January, closed in February and covered commercial property work for investors, developers, occupiers, government bodies and lenders. In February, the firm launched a further NQ Associate – Real Estate role, which remained open going into Q2 and focused on affordable housing, regeneration and residential/mixed-use development work for institutional investors, social landlords and developers. The firm also advertised an Associate/Senior Associate – Energy and Sustainability role (2–6 PQE), launched in February and closed in March, which focused on energy transition and real estate-related infrastructure such as heat networks, retrofit and EV infrastructure.

Wedlake Bell

Wedlake Bell launched a Solicitor – Commercial Property Development (Housebuilders) role (1–3 PQE) in January, which remained open going into Q2. The role covered a broad developer-facing mix including plot sales, site acquisitions and disposals, investment and development, landlord and tenant work, affordable housing and build-to-rent disposals, estate management and some property finance. The firm sought a lawyer keen to deepen development and housebuilder expertise while building client relationships.

Womble Bond Dickinson

Womble Bond Dickinson carried over a Real Estate Lawyer role (5+ PQE) from Q4 2025, which closed in February. The role focused on commercial real estate investment, asset management and real estate finance transactions for investors, developers and public sector clients. The firm sought a commercially pragmatic lawyer with strong drafting skills and enthusiasm for client service and business development.