Senior Associate / Managing Associate - Drinks, Hospitality and Leisure

Senior Associate / Managing Associate - Drinks, Hospitality and Leisure

Date: 2026-09-19

Location: Bristol

Address: Bristol, GB, BS1 5

Application Deadline: 2026-12-19 19:00:40.713

Senior Associate / Managing Associate - Drinks, Hospitality and Leisure

Locations:

• Milton Keynes
• Leeds
• Sheffield
• Nottingham
• Oxford

Posted on:

Posted 3 Days Ago

Job Requisition ID:

JR101192

About the Freeths Drinks, Hospitality & Leisure (DHL) Team

Our specialist DHL team advises brewers, pub companies, restaurant and bar operators, hotel groups, and leisure brands on the full spectrum of property-led and operator-specific matters. We are a national practice acting for household-name operators across the UK, delivering rapid, commercially grounded advice that reflects how this sector really works.

Led by Leo Skinner (Partner & Head of DHL), the team's core is real estate, complemented by close collaboration with colleagues in corporate, employment, tax, planning, IP & media, and disputes. This integrated model enables us to support portfolio growth, developments and re-gears, roll-out programs, estate optimisation, and complex transactions at pace.

The national DHL group works as one team across our UK offices, drawing on specialist support in tax, TUPE and workforce issues, regulatory/licensing touchpoints, planning and construction, and brand/IP considerations relevant to hospitality operators.

About The Role

Owing to continued client demand, we are seeking candidates with 4 years+ PQE to join us and work with our national operator client base (pubs, bars, restaurants, late-night venues, hotels, and wider leisure), typically including:

• Freehold and leasehold site acquisitions and disposals, development and pre-let arrangements, and portfolio re-gears.
• Day-to-day estate management (L&T, licences, variations, easements, and ancillary agreements).
• Awareness of operator-specific issues that sit alongside real estate, such as TUPE, TOGC, capital allowances, and licensing/regulatory considerations (with support from specialists as needed).

The team works seamlessly across our offices, and you will be a good team player. We encourage all our lawyers from an early stage to network and develop their own client relationships, and you will be actively supported in this and in progressing your career.

Our Values and Opportunities

Smart. Bold. Together. We Are Freeths.

Become part of the team at Freeths.

View some of our recent highlights on our website.

Locations:

• Bristol
• Leicester

Posted on: Posted 20 Days Ago

Recognition

Sharing success matters to us. We love to showcase excellent work across the firm and celebrate our people through our employee awards. We recognize our team's hard work and reward great work with some of the best rewards and benefits in the business.

Additional Information

We are committed to sourcing candidates directly where possible. For certain roles, we may work with preferred suppliers invited by our resourcing team. We may also accept CVs from other suppliers on an ad hoc basis (to be agreed in writing). We will not be responsible for fees related to CVs or profiles submitted directly to our partners or other employees or for applications not submitted via our portal. Agencies should contact our recruitment team before submitting unsolicited applications.

• About the Freeths Drinks, Hospitality & Leisure (DHL) TeamOur specialist DHL team advises brewers, pub companies, restaurant and bar operators, hotel groups and leisure brands on the full spectrum of property-led and operator-specific matters. We are a national practice acting for household-name operators across the UK, delivering rapid, commercially grounded advice that reflects how this sector really works.Led by Leo Skinner (Partner & Head of DHL), the team's core is real estate, complemented by close collaboration with colleagues in corporate, employment, tax, planning, IP & media and disputes. This integrated model enables us to support portfolio growth, developments and re-gears, roll-out
programmes, estate optimisation and complex transactions at pace.The national DHL group works as one team across our UK offices, drawing on specialist support in tax, TUPE and workforce issues, regulatory/licensing touchpoints, planning and construction, and brand/IP considerations relevant to hospitality operators.
• About The RoleOwing to continued client demand, we are seeking candidates with 4 years+ PQE to join us and work with our national operator client base (pubs, bars, restaurants, late-night venues, hotels and wider leisure), typically including: Freehold and leasehold site acquisitions and disposals, development and pre-let arrangements, and portfolio re-gears. Day-to-day estate management (L&T, licences, variations, easements and ancillary agreements).p Awareness of operator-specific issues that sit alongside real estate, such as TUPE, TOGC, capital allowances and licensing/regulatory considerations (with support from specialists as needed).The team work seamlessly across
our offices, and you will be a good team player. We encourage all our lawyers from an early stage to network and develop their own client relationships and you will be actively supported in this and in progressing your career.# #
• Smart. Bold. Together. We Are Freeths.Become part of the team at Freeths.View some of our recent highlights on our website .locations: 6 Locationsposted on: Posted 20 Days Agolocations: Bristolposted on: Posted 20 Days Agolocations: Leicesterposted on: Posted 20 Days Ago2. Think Recognition: Sharing success matters to us. We love to showcase excellent work across the firm and celebrate our people through our employee awards. We recognise our teams work hard together to deliver the best solutions for our clients. That's why great work is well rewarded - our rewards and benefits are among the best in the business.We are committed to sourcing candidates directly where possible. For particular roles, we may work with preferred suppliers who
will be invited by our resourcing team to support us. We may also agree to accept CVs from other suppliers on an ad hoc basis (to be agreed in writing). We will not be responsible for fees in relation to CVs or profiles submitted directly to our partners or other employees or for any applications not submitted via our portal. Agencies should contact our recruitment team before submitting unsolicited applications. #J-18808-Ljbffr