Probate Solicitor/Senior Associate

Key Duties:

• Running your own caseload to include drafting of Wills, Trusts, Lasting Powers of Attorney and dealing with Trust and Estate Administration, including complex cases for High-Net-Worth business and agricultural clients.
• Recognising fee-earning opportunities and develop as appropriate, particularly cross-referring work and clients within the firm and working closely with our Real Estate and Commercial teams.
• Drafting and reviewing legal documents with precision and attention to detail
• Willing to participate in the growth and future development on the department, assisting in the build-up of the client database and marketing the firm’s services through business development and networking activities within and outside of normal office hours.
• To maintain existing relations with the firm’s clients and assist and help develop new relationships with third party referrers.
• Regularly update clients as to the current progress of their case.
• Mentoring and support of more junior colleagues in the team and working collaboratively.
• Completing time recording and other management records required by the firm.
• Ensuring compliance is adhered to in all activities including Lexcel compliance.
• Financial control of your own matters with particular regard to cash flow through collection of monies on account and billing procedures.
• Conduct all matters in the client’s best interest and in accordance with the highest professional standards and applicable “quality” standards at all times.
• Maintain files in a neat and orderly manner and ensure that each file is reviewed and recorded as having been reviewed against the computer printout supplied by the Accounts Department every month.
• Achieve financial targets agreed with the Department Head or Branch Partner.
• Deal with routine and difficult enquiries from telephone callers and clients effectively and efficiently and ensure that all client complaints are dealt with both professionally and promptly to the complete satisfaction of the client.
• Maintain time recording on client matters and non-matter activities on a daily basis.
• Ensure quality of work produced by ‘support staff’ is to the highest standard.
• Understand the obligations relating to client accounts and ensure the preparation and service of bills comply with the Solicitors Accounts Rules.
• Keep up to date with case law/good practice guidance and apply as appropriate.
• Ensure compliance with Law Society Training Regulations.
• Work in a responsible and safe manner at all times adhering to Health & Safety, safe working practices and firm policies and procedures.
• Such other reasonable duties as and when required by your Line Manager.
• The above list of duties is not exclusive or exhaustive and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks as may reasonably be expected within the scope of the role.

You will have:

• 4 years + PQE
• Excellent teamworking and technical ability
• Possession of the STEP Qualification or working towards it or an ability to demonstrate technical skills and experience equivalent to the STEP qualification and a willingness to undertake the qualification.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail with the ability to manage deadlines and competing priorities with a positive and proactive approach to tasks.
• Good “hands on” private client experience in Wills, Trusts, Lasting Power of Attorney and Trust and Estate Administration.
• Excellent client facing skills and the ability to nurture existing clients and third-party relationships as well as the ability to help develop new business and assist in networking events.
• Ability to adopt a practical as well as legal approach to client issues.
• Excellent IT skills
• Understand and adopt the Firm’s values and behaviours.