Job Description
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Contentious trusts and probate is a fascinating and highly specialised area of law, combining complex legal issues with matters that are often deeply personal to the individuals and families involved.
We are recruiting for a Solicitor or Legal Executive to join a highly regarded specialist Private Wealth Disputes team, advising clients on disputes arising from wills, trusts and estates.
This is an excellent opportunity for an established contentious trusts and probate lawyer, or for someone with a broader caseload that already includes private wealth disputes who is now looking to develop a genuine specialism in this increasingly important area of law.
The role
As an Associate, you will manage your own varied caseload of contentious private wealth matters while working closely with experienced senior lawyers on more complex and substantial instructions.
You will have the opportunity to:
- Manage your own caseload of disputes involving wills, trusts and estates
- Advise individuals and families on sensitive and often complex contentious matters
- Support senior lawyers on larger, more involved and strategically complex cases
- Take day-to-day responsibility for significant matters with appropriate senior support
- Explore appropriate methods of dispute resolution as well as pursuing matters through litigation where necessary
- Build strong and trusted relationships with clients, providing clear and sensitive guidance throughout the dispute process
- Support the development of less-experienced colleagues, including Trainees and Newly Qualified Solicitors
- Contribute to marketing and business development activities
- Play an active role in the continued development and longer-term growth of the practice
About you
We would be interested in hearing from a qualified Solicitor or Legal Executive with experience in contentious trusts, probate or private wealth disputes.
As this is a specialist area, you do not necessarily need to be working exclusively in contentious probate already. Applications are also welcomed from lawyers with a broader litigation, private client or mixed disputes caseload that includes relevant private wealth disputes and who are keen to develop a deeper specialism.
The role is expected to suit someone with approximately 2–4 years’ PQE, although experience and capability are considered more important than PQE alone.
You are likely to have:
- Experience of contentious trusts, probate, inheritance or estate disputes
- The ability to manage your own matters with appropriate supervision
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- The ability to advise clients with sensitivity and empathy during emotionally challenging disputes
- A practical and solutions-focused approach
- A collaborative mindset and an interest in supporting more junior colleagues
- An interest in marketing, networking and business development
- A genuine desire to develop your expertise within this specialist area of law
Why consider this opportunity?
This is an excellent opportunity to build your career within a specialist and highly regarded Private Wealth Disputes practice.
The role offers:
- High-quality and technically interesting contentious trusts and probate work
- The opportunity to develop a genuine specialism in a niche and growing area of law
- Your own caseload alongside exposure to larger and more complex matters
- Close collaboration with experienced senior lawyers
- The opportunity to take increasing responsibility as your experience develops
- Involvement in the development and support of junior colleagues
- Excellent scope for continued professional development and career progression
- Opportunities to contribute to business development and the future direction of the practice
- A collaborative and supportive working environment
- Hybrid and flexible working, with alternative working patterns considered
If you are a lawyer with experience of contentious trusts and probate, or relevant exposure within a broader litigation or private client practice and are looking to develop your career within this specialist field, we would be delighted to hear from you.