Senior Private Client Lawyer
(Solicitor or Chartered Legal Executive)


Location: Hybrid working between Worthing and Hove
Salary: £60,000 - £80,000 (DOE / PQE)


An established and growing legal practice is seeking a senior private client lawyer to take a key role within its Private Client team. Applications are equally welcomed from experienced solicitors and Chartered Legal Executives (CILEx lawyers) with strong private client expertise.


This is a senior appointment offering the opportunity to combine high-level technical work with team leadership and involvement in the strategic development of the department.


The Role


You will manage a varied and high-quality caseload of complex private client matters while supervising and supporting a team of between 2 and 5 qualified fee earners. The role calls for a confident, technically strong and commercially aware lawyer who enjoys developing people, building client relationships and contributing to long-term departmental growth.


Key Responsibilities
*Handling a broad range of private client work including wills, LPAs, probate and estate administration, trusts, estate planning and, where relevant, Court of Protection matters.
*Advising a diverse client base, including high-net-worth individuals, families, and elderly or vulnerable clients, with professionalism, empathy and sound judgement.
*Managing complex and high-value estates, including multi-generational and inheritance tax planning matters.
*Maintaining and developing strong relationships with clients, referrers and third parties such as accountants, financial advisers, HMRC and the Probate Registry.
*Working autonomously on your own matters while collaborating closely with colleagues across the team.
*Supervising, mentoring and developing junior lawyers and support staff, fostering a supportive and high-performing team culture.
*Monitoring financial performance of matters, including billing, WIP and KPI targets, and encouraging commercial awareness within the team.
*Playing an active role in business development, networking and building your own client following.
*Ensuring compliance with all regulatory and professional standards.
*Acting as a positive role model and championing the firm’s values across the department.


About You
*A qualified solicitor or Chartered Legal Executive (CILEx) with around 5+ years’ post-qualification experience in private client work.
*Strong technical knowledge of wills, probate, trusts, LPAs and inheritance tax planning.
*Proven experience of advising on complex private client matters, including HNW estates.
*Previous experience supervising or mentoring others is essential.
*STEP qualification, or working towards STEP, is desirable but not essential.
*Confident drafting, communication and organisational skills.
*Comfortable using case management systems (experience with Mattersphere is advantageous but not required).


Skills & Competencies
*Excellent client-care skills, with particular sensitivity when working with elderly or vulnerable clients.
*Strong attention to detail and sound problem-solving ability.
*Ability to manage a varied caseload independently and prioritise effectively.
*A collaborative and supportive working style.
*Commercial awareness and enthusiasm for business development and profile-building.
*A genuine commitment to developing junior colleagues and contributing to a positive team environment.


What’s on Offer
*Salary of £60,000 - £80,000 depending on experience, expertise and PQE.
*Hybrid working arrangement split between Worthing and Hove.
*Clear career progression, including the opportunity to take on greater leadership and specialist responsibilities.
*Support for ongoing professional development, including STEP and CPD.
*A flexible, supportive and modern working environment with a strong team ethos.
Any lawyers interested in this position with the experience listed above should contact Sam Higgins at Simpson Judge on or via email at .