Advice on forging a career in real estate law

Starting a legal career in real estate is more than just understanding contracts and transactions; it’s about finding your unique path, building relationships and learning from those around you. Reflecting on my journey so far, I’d like to share a few insights that might help those considering a similar route.

First, don’t worry if you struggle to find your niche when starting out. It can sometimes take a while to find the practice area that is right for you. I began my journey in real estate as a paralegal in residential development, rotated through various commercial property seats throughout my training contract, and found myself back in residential development, working within Shoosmiths’ housebuilding team. This has helped me to understand the breadth of the sector.

Great mentors

Working with leaders in their fields is an invaluable opportunity to learn and absorb as much as possible. I have been fortunate to have had great mentors throughout my career to date who have shaped my journey. One advised me to observe and adopt the best qualities of each supervisor I encountered. By learning from the practices of those around you, you can build on your own strengths and add depth to your professional style.

In terms of skill set, while cultivating technical skills is important in the legal sphere, building your personal network is also crucial. Clients often look to instruct and retain people they like working with – who can act as an extension of their team, who they trust and who are on the same page as them. Embedding yourself within their area of practice and taking a genuine interest in what is going on in the market can help when understanding a client’s internal pressures, which makes a huge difference.

Variety of pathways

If you are considering a legal career in real estate, there are now a range of options available to those looking to enter the industry.

It is not the be all and end all if you don’t secure a training contract straight from university. Try to get as much professional legal experience as possible; I recommend starting as a paralegal, for example, before committing to formal training. This path helps to develop essential and soft skills, including managing routine tasks such as time recording, which can seem alien at first.

As a paralegal, you will start to expand your network among other lawyers and clients. The real estate legal field is a small world; even now, I encounter former colleagues from my early days. Connections made early on can be valuable throughout your career.

Genuine connections

I have also been fortunate in my career to have worked in both private practice and in-house positions. If you have the chance to take a secondment opportunity, go for it. Working closely with client teams gives you a deeper understanding of their needs. It’s an experience that I highly recommend, broadening your perspective and legal skill set.

We are lucky to have industry initiatives such as EG’s Real Estate Futures, which champion the next generation of real estate leaders and emphasise the importance of building genuine connections.

While work matters dominate our days, taking a step back to talk about other topics can often lead to stronger relationships. You never know who you will meet or what opportunities may arise, so don’t hesitate to strike up a non-work conversation – it could be the start of something great.