Full job descriptionSenior Associate / Director – Employment Law


About The Firm
This firm is a well-established regional law firm with strong roots in the local community and an innovative, client-focused ethos. They deliver high-quality advice and personal service across our private client offering. You’ll join a modern, dynamic team where work-life balance, flexible working and career progression are genuine, not token.


Role Overview
In this role, you will help steer and shape the strategic direction of our Private Client Department. You will lead, manage and grow the team alongside the partner, ensuring excellent technical delivery and first-class service to clients. You will personally handle a full spectrum of private client work and play a pivotal role in business development, client relationship building and mentoring the next generation of lawyers.


Responsibilities
*Develop and deliver the strategic vision for the Private Client team: setting business targets, resource planning, resourcing junior talent, supervising work allocation and ensuring profitability.
*Lead fee-earning by overseeing and handling a comprehensive range of private client matters: drafting and reviewing Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs), establishing trusts, advising on succession planning, tax mitigation (including Inheritance Tax), estate & trust administration, and Court of Protection matters.
*Engage with high net worth clients (and where appropriate, international clients) and develop long-term client relationships across generations of families.
*Act on estate, succession and tax planning issues, advising clients on wealth preservation, inter-generational asset transfers, cross-border issues, trusts and wealth structuring.
*Provide leadership and mentorship, training junior solicitors and legal executives, reviewing work, fostering professional development and ensuring the team’s technical competence.
*Manage risks and compliance: ensure adherence to the highest professional standards, regulatory obligations and client confidentiality, and maintain up-to-date knowledge in private client law
*Business development: identify market opportunities, build referral networks (accountants, financial advisers, family offices), deliver seminars or client events, and contribute towards the firm’s growth agenda.
Requirements
*A proven track record as a senior private client lawyer with strong leadership, technical and client-management skills.
*Excellent communication skills with the ability to understand clients’ objectives, explain complex issues clearly and build trusted relationships.
*A commercial mindset so you understand key business metrics, drive profitability and can contribute to growth planning.
*Strong technical knowledge of wills, trusts, probate, tax and estate planning, and ideally further accreditation (e.g., STEP) or the willingness to obtain it.
*Ability to develop and mentor a team, manage workflows and ensure resource planning, quality control and development of junior talent.
*A proactive business development mindset and being comfortable building networks and contributing to the growth of the practice.


What we offer
*Competitive salary commensurate with experience (DOE)
*Generous holiday entitlement plus additional paid time off at Christmas and your birthday off each year.
*Flexible working, including hybrid arrangements.
*Pension scheme, death-in-service benefit, bonus scheme.
*Other benefits: BUPA, salary-sacrifice electric vehicle scheme, long-service awards.
*An open and inclusive culture where excellent service and personal development are valued.