Solicitor/Associate

Commercial Technology (Natural Capital), Ipswich, Norwich, Cambridge, Chelmsford Main information

Term type:

Permanent

Working hours:

Full-time

Department:

Location:

About us

Birketts is a full service, UK Top 50 law firm. With a heritage spanning over 160 years, we have more than 700 lawyers and legal professionals based in Bristol, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Ipswich, London, Norwich and Sevenoaks. We advise businesses, government and public sector organisations and individuals in the UK and internationally across four principal practice groups: real estate, corporate services, dispute resolution and private client.

We are defined by our Next Level Law proposition. We work with our clients as a proactive partner, horizon scanning and thinking ahead to the changes, challenges and opportunities they may face. Next Level Law is also applied to our people. Our collegiate culture means everyone is encouraged to achieve their next level in everything they do.

With our ambition to succeed comes a strong desire to make a positive contribution to the communities we serve, and we are committed to delivering the objectives set out in our Responsible Business strategy. Birketts is a certified B Corporation, and diversity plays an integral part in all that we do, with female partners comprising 45% of our partnership as of 1 April 2026.

The team you will join Our Natural Capital team is at the forefront of the rapid and positive evolution of the business of nature. Our team helps clients to understand what Natural Capital is, guiding them through the opportunities that exist, whether their aims are to provide environmental, social, or commercial benefits (or a combination of all three). Our lawyers work with clients looking to achieve their sustainability ambitions, ensuring they have the most relevant guidance and advice .

The team works with a genuine cross-section of all Natural Capital stakeholders including landowners, farmers, property developers, nature restoration developers, local planning authorities and third-party intermediaries such as brokers and habitat bank providers . Our lawyers work effectively with all clients to achieve their objectives which frequently align with our own to incorporate Natural Capital into an inter-generational, defensible and resilient businesses that they (and we) can be proud of.

As a Natural Capital lawyer, you will sit in our Commercial & Technology team and advise on:

(i) Environmental Unit Sale and Purchase Agreements (assisting land owners, land managers, purchasing developers and brokers in preparing, negotiating and finalising agreements in order to commercialise biodiversity net gain units, nutrient neutrality credits, carbon credits and an evolving market of other environmental service lines);

(ii) Habitat Management Agreements (assisting land owners, land managers, developers and habitat bank providers in preparing agreements to ensure the delivery of Natural Capital projects);

(iii) Broker and agency agreements for the commercialisation of environmental benefits;

(iv) Landscape recovery projects; and nature restoration projects that are akin to landscape recovery projects but with private investment only.

The work you will be doing We are looking to recruit a Solicitor or Associate to work with our Natural Capital experts in the Commercial & Technology team, with between 0 and 5 years of PQE, who have the drive and commitment to assist Birketts' in the continued growth and development of our firmwide practice.

This is an excellent opportunity for inquisitive, motivated and ambitious individuals who are self-motivated, curious and purpose-led to join a successful and friendly team of experts who are recognised as national leaders in the market.

We perceive the Natural Capital sector as hugely exciting because it is helping to shape entirely new environmental markets at a time of significant regulatory change and significant climate change. It combines sophisticated legal problem-solving with the opportunity to deliver tangible environmental benefits, allowing practitioners to work on innovative projects that create commercial value while restoring biodiversity, addressing climate challenges and supporting more sustainable land use. The work is intellectually diverse, commercially significant and genuinely impactful, making it one of the most rewarding areas of modern legal practice, and we are looking for individuals that share our passion.

You will be responsible for:

• Drafting and negotiating on relevant natural capital agreements, documents, advice notes, letters and correspondence tailored to the client's individual needs and requirements
• Acting as a key point of contact for clients, building trusted relationships, and identifying opportunities to add value
• Participating in marketing and networking initiatives
• Ownership of personal financial performance, demonstrating accountability and a commercial mindset

What we are looking for Birketts has designed a 'Talent Management Framework' which provides a career structure that will help us develop, retain and reward talented people. As an Associate, we typically expect candidates to have a minimum of 3 years PQE.

• Applies strong legal and commercial judgement, researches precedents effectively, and drafts complex documents with appropriate senior guidance
• Manages time recording, billing support and workload efficiently to meet financial targets and maximise fee recovery
• Actively supports business development through events, pitches and networking, building profile and identifying opportunities via firm and client relationships
• Delivers high-quality client service with minimal supervision, providing timely, accurate advice and demonstrating strong understanding of client needs and priorities
• Consistently meets compliance requirements by completing reviews and reports on time, adhering to risk management best practices, understanding Lexcel standards, and completing all mandatory training
• Strong attention to detail to produce work documentation which is consistently of a high standard
• Professional integrity and a commitment to providing excellent client service
• Experience of using knowhow sources (such as Practical Law, FromCounsel etc) to carry out discrete research projects
• To be competent in using Microsoft Word, Excel, time recording software, case management, Outlook and digital dictation

Any information provided in relation to PQE should be used for guidance only and will not be determinative in the recruitment decision. Applicants will be considered on their individual merits.

Hybrid Working Birketts is a flexible business which has embraced a hybrid working model where our colleagues enjoy a mix of home and office working. During your 3 month probation period, there will be a requirement to be in the office full time whilst you are developing in the role. Once you have successfully passed probation, this role attracts a split of 60% office days and 40% working from home days per week.

We welcome applications from people looking for flexible, agile, and part-time roles and we are happy to explore your preferred working patterns as part of your application.

Benefits As a Birketts colleague, you will be eligible to receive a wide range of benefits:

• Long Service holiday award - 1 extra week every 10 years continuous service
• Private Healthcare with BUPA (offered after probation is passed)
• Staff Profit Share and Individual Performance Bonus Scheme
• Salary sacrifice (Pensions, Staff Profit Share)
• Life Assurance - 4 x salary / Permanent Health Insurance

As a B Corporation, our culture is driven by ambition and a commitment to positively impact all the communities we serve. We are dedicated to the success, development, and wellbeing of our colleagues, helping them achieve their goals and seize the opportunities that come with our growth.

Birketts is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our policy is unequivocal: we do not tolerate discrimination based on age, disability, sex, race, religion or belief, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, or sexual orientation.

We pride ourselves on being an inclusive organisation that actively promotes equality of opportunity for all, valuing the right mix of talent, skills, and potential. We welcome applications from a diverse range of candidates, and selection for roles is based solely on individual merit.

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Artificial Intelligence (AI) At Birketts, we recognise the evolving role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the legal profession and recruitment. We welcome innovation and understand that candidates may use AI tools to support their job applications. However, we expect all applicants to use AI responsibly and ethically.

Our expectations regarding AI use in applications:

• Your application should reflect your own voice, experiences, and insights. AI may assist in structuring or refining your responses, but it must not replace your personal input.
• Do not use AI to misrepresent your qualifications, experiences, or skills. Any form of exaggeration or fabrication may result in rejection from the process.
• If you have used AI tools to assist with your application, be prepared to discuss how and why you used them during the interview process.
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