Senior Associate - Private Client

Senior Associate - Private Client

Reference SWJBWARRT

Location Warrington

The role requires a technically strong, commercially minded lawyer who can deliver high-quality advice on wills, lasting powers of attorney (LPAs), probate, trusts and estate planning, and provide practical guidance to colleagues. Working with the Head of Private Client, the successful candidate will maintain standards of client care and file quality, support junior staff, develop referral relationships and contribute to the continued growth of the department.

Key Responsibilities:

• Managing a varied caseload of complex private client matters, including wills, LPAs, probate and estate administration, trust advice and administration, and estate planning. Where appropriate to the individual’s experience and competence, undertaking Court of Protection matters with specialist support where required.

• Advising a broad client base including HNW individuals, families, elderly and vulnerable clients on complex matters, demonstrating empathy, sensitivity and a high standard of client care throughout.

• Building and maintaining strong relationships with clients, referrers and third parties including HMRC, the Probate Registry, financial institutions, accountants and other professional advisers.

• Managing own caseload with a high degree of autonomy, exercising sound judgement on risk and complexity and seeking specialist input or escalating matters to the Head of Private Client when appropriate.

• Providing day-to-day technical supervision to the allocated team, including reviewing work, monitoring workloads and matter progression, giving constructive feedback and supporting the development of junior fee earners, trainees and paralegals; working with support staff to ensure effective matter administration.

Qualifications and Skills:

• At least 5 years' post-qualification experience (PQE) in private client work.

• Strong technical knowledge of wills, LPAs, probate, trusts and inheritance tax planning.

• Experience advising on complex matters, including HNW estates and multi-generational planning.

• Experience of Court of Protection matters is desirable, but not essential.

• STEP qualification or working towards STEP is desirable.

• Proficiency in case management systems

• Strong drafting, communication and organisational skills.

• Proven experience of supervising legal work, supporting junior colleagues and giving clear, constructive feedback, with the ability to balance team responsibilities and an independent caseload.

Skills and Competencies

• Excellent client relationship management skills, with the ability to advise elderly and vulnerable clients with empathy and sensitivity.

• Strong attention to detail and problem-solving ability.

• Ability to manage a varied caseload and prioritise workloads effectively and autonomously.

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a close-knit team.

• Commercial awareness and a proactive interest in business development.

• A collaborative, supportive working style with a commitment to nurturing junior talent.

What We Offer

• Clear career progression opportunities, including the potential to develop specialist expertise and take on wider management responsibilities.

• Support for professional development including STEP qualification and CPD.

• A flexible and supportive working environment.

Company Core Values:

Aspire: To challenge convention, an entrepreneur with energy for change. To be the best that we can be

Integrate: Bring together people and systems into a cohesive force

Innovate: To creatively evolve our working practices, use our revenue and resources in a virtuous cycle of improving our people, systems and growth

Commit: To delivering excellent client experience and working with integrity, investing in long term relationships, creating a strong market position and delivering sustained commercial advantage

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