Private Client Lawyer +3 years experience

Job location: South Lakes and Morecambe Bay

Type: Full-time and part-time

Salary: Based on experience

Are you an experienced Private Client Lawyer looking for a new opportunity in the Lake District? Join a reputable, medium-sized law firm and advance your career in private client law.

About Us

We are a well-established law firm with offices across the southern Lake District and Morecambe Bay, specialising in a wide range of legal services for individuals, families, and businesses. Our firm is known for providing expert advice on private client matters, including estate planning, probate, tax and trusts. Due to continued growth, we are looking to hire an experienced Private Client Solicitor or Legal Executive to join our team.

Key Responsibilities of the Private Client Lawyer

As a Private Client Lawyer, you will manage a diverse caseload, supporting clients with their personal legal affairs. You will work on a range of matters including:

• Estate Planning: Advise clients on inheritance tax, wills, lasting powers of attorney and succession planning to ensure their estates are structured efficiently.
• Trusts: Establish and manage trusts, trust registration and provide ongoing advice to trustees on their duties and responsibilities.
• Probate and Estate Administration: Act for personal representatives in probate matters from beginning to end, including grant applications, inheritance tax and distribution of assets. You will also be expected to provide expertise where necessary to the dispute resolution department. The successful candidate will ideally have experience with taxable estates, cross-border and domicile issues, and insolvent estates.
• Tax Planning: Provide clients with strategies for effective tax planning, including inheritance tax and capital gains tax.
• Court of Protection: Assist clients with applications for Deputyship and the management of the affairs of those who lack mental capacity.
• Client Care: Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, offering tailored legal advice, particularly to high-net-worth individuals and families.

Required Skills:

• Solicitor or Chartered Legal Executive (CILEX) with at least 3 years of experience in private client work.
• Proven experience in drafting both simple and complex wills including life interests and grossing up, administering estates, setting up trusts, tax planning and advising a range of clients.
• Experience in assessing mental capacity of individuals for the purpose of the legal retainer
• Solid understanding of UK succession, tax and trust laws, and probate procedures.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to explain complex legal matters to clients in a clear, empathetic manner.
• Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to handle a varied caseload independently.
• Attention to detail
• A client-focused, approachable manner, with the ability to manage sensitive and confidential matters professionally, and with the ability to integrate within the private client team to share expertise and support.

Why Choose Us?

• Career Development: We offer structured opportunities for career growth and professional development, with regular training and mentoring from senior colleagues.
• Supportive Team Environment: You will be joining a collaborative and friendly team that values each member’s contribution.
• Reputable Firm: Our firm has a strong reputation in South Lakes and Morecambe for delivering exceptional private client services.
• As an employee-owned law firm, we offer a unique business structure where all employees share in the firm’s success through profit distribution in addition to a competitive salary and benefits package.

Please send your CV and covering letter to [email protected]