Real Estate at Hogan Lovells | Career Guide

Hogan Lovells' Real Estate team is widely recognised for cross-border capability, sector specialism and complex transactional work. In the UK market the team tends to cover a broad spectrum from real estate finance and investment to development, landlord and tenant, planning and real estate disputes. The firm's strength lies in integrating local real estate expertise with corporate, finance, regulatory and tax teams to advise on transactions with multi-jurisdictional elements.

Typical practice areas you will see

• Investment sales and acquisitions: Portfolio disposals, REIT and private equity-related transactions.

• Real estate finance: Acting for lenders and borrowers on structured and syndicated lending, security packages, and refinancing.

• Development and project work: Joint ventures, project documentation, planning covenants and construction interfaces.

• Leasing and occupier work: High-value commercial leases, break clauses, dilapidations and strategic occupier advice.

• Funds and asset management: Advising managers, funds and investors on acquisitions, dispositions and fund structuring.

• Planning and infrastructure: Regeneration schemes, CPOs and infrastructure delivery agreements.

Reputation indicators

Hogan Lovells consistently features in market directories and league tables for real estate. Candidates often note the firm's strong client roster, international reach and ability to execute on large, complex or time-sensitive matters. If you want a role that mixes UK domestic deals with cross-border elements, this team is a strong fit.

Rather than specific client names, it is helpful to understand the pattern of work that demonstrates the team's market position. Expect to see:

• Large portfolio transactions: Multi-asset disposals and acquisitions where multiple jurisdictions or multi-lot sales require coordinated due diligence and tailored documentation.

• Complex financings: Syndicated or syndicated-style lending, CMBS-style structures and refinancing with layered security across entities and jurisdictions.

• Strategic occupier mandates: Advising multinational occupiers on pan-European real estate strategies, lease renegotiations, and headquarter moves.

• Urban regeneration and joint ventures: Structuring joint venture agreements, land assemblies, and bespoke deal structures that involve planning risk allocation.

• Real estate funds and investment structures: Advising institutional investors and managers on the formation and operation of property funds, including tax and regulatory overlays.

These matter types illustrate the technical breadth you will gain: drafting bespoke security documentation, negotiating complex lease terms, advising on planning risk, and managing multi-disciplinary teams.

Hogan Lovells offers formal training pathways and on-the-job learning designed to build technical skill and commercial judgment. For aspiring solicitors, note the following typical elements of development.

Training contract seats and early development

• Seat rotation: Trainees commonly rotate through at least one real estate seat, plus related seats in banking, corporate or projects depending on business needs. This exposes you to how real estate interacts with other practice areas.

• Secondments: Many trainees and junior associates benefit from client secondments or short secondments to other jurisdictions, which deepen commercial awareness and client management skills.

• Supervision and mentoring: Expect structured supervision, a formal appraisal process and partner mentoring to shape technical competence and career goals.

Associate to partner progression

• Technical specialism: As an associate you will deepen in areas such as planning, finance or funds. Building expertise in negotiating and drafting complex documents is essential.

• Business development: Progressive targets for pitch involvement, relationship-building and thought leadership help advance promotion prospects.

• International mobility: Given the firm's global reach, lawyers with cross-border experience and language skills often access international secondments and client-facing roles.

Continuing professional development

• CPD and internal training: Regular workshops on new cases, regulatory updates and commercial skills.

• External resources: Practical Law, Estates Gazette, Landlord and Tenant Review and industry webinars are commonly used to stay current.

The daily routine in a Hogan Lovells real estate team combines fast-paced deal work with project-style management. A typical day might include drafting or negotiating documentation, running due diligence, client calls, and coordinating with tax, planning or financing colleagues.

What junior lawyers do

• Draft and redline transactional documents: Schedules, security documents, lease amendments and warranties.

• Manage due diligence: Collating title information, reviewing searches and preparing reports.

• Client-facing tasks: Preparing client memoranda, attending calls and supporting partner-led negotiations.

• Project management: Tracking deliverables, managing external advisers and ensuring deadlines are met.

Culture and expectations

• Collegiate but high-expectation environment: Teams tend to be collaborative with an emphasis on technical accuracy and client responsiveness.

• Workload peaks: Expect busy periods tied to closings and financing deadlines; time management and prioritisation skills are critical.

• International collaboration: Cross-office teamwork is common, so clear written communication and awareness of time zones help.

Securing a training contract or associate role in Hogan Lovells' Real Estate practice requires preparation across technical knowledge, commercial awareness and demonstrable skills.

Application documents

• Tailor your CV and cover letter: Highlight real estate-relevant experience such as property-related moots, vacation schemes, paralegal work, or sector-specific internships.

• Prepare a deal sheet: For lateral applicants, prepare a short, factual deal sheet summarising your role, key documents drafted and the commercial impact of your work.

Interview and assessment preparation

• Demonstrate technical knowledge: Be ready to discuss basic landlord and tenant principles, priorities in security packages, and planning risk allocation in developments.

• Show commercial awareness: Read recent market coverage in The Lawyer, Estates Gazette, Legal Cheek and YourLegalLadder's market updates to comment on trends such as occupational demand, logistics investment or fund flows.

• Competency examples: Prepare STAR-format examples for teamwork, client care, negotiation and time management that reference specific tasks (for example, a time you managed a tranche of due diligence within a tight timetable).

• Assessment centre tasks: You may face group exercises and written exercises. In group tasks, lead by structuring the discussion and ensuring all voices are heard; in written exercises, produce clear, client-focused advice with an executive summary.

Useful resources

• YourLegalLadder: For firm profiles, application trackers, mentoring and real estate question banks.

• Chambers student, lawCareers.Net and legal cheek: For role and firm insight.

• Practical law, estates gazette and The lawyer: For technical updates and market news.

• Professional journals: Landlord and Tenant Review and real estate sections of major legal directories.

Final practical steps

• Network thoughtfully: Attend relevant events and use alumni links. Ask specific questions about deal structure and team dynamics rather than generic enquiries.

• Keep a running log: Track every relevant piece of experience you gain and convert it into short anecdotes you can use in applications and interviews.

• Stay current: Read weekly market updates and summarise impact points you can discuss in interviews. Resources such as YourLegalLadder's weekly updates make this easier to maintain.

By combining a clear record of property-relevant experience, demonstrable technical foundations and up-to-date commercial awareness, you position yourself strongly for a role in Hogan Lovells' Real Estate team.