Associate (contentious)

Collas Crill; St Peter Port; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Collas Crill in Guernsey seeks an Associate (contentious) to join its Private Client and Trusts team. You will advise and represent clients in complex private wealth disputes, supporting litigation from initial instructions through hearings.

The role emphasizes cross-border matters, client relationship building, and contributing to the growth of the practice with a focus on delivering excellent service.

Qualifications

• Qualified lawyer with up to 6 years PQE in private client and trusts disputes.
• Strong time management and drafting skills.
• Client focused with excellent communication abilities.
• Able to work independently and as part of a team on complex matters.

Responsibilities

• Support and participate in growing the Private Client and Trusts practice and deliver excellent service.
• Advise and represent clients in international private wealth and trusts disputes, assisting in litigation from instructions to hearings.
• Conduct legal research and identify issues in cases.
• Develop a plan to achieve client aims and manage cases accordingly.
• Draft complex documents including advice, correspondence, evidence and pleadings.
• Be proactive in finding innovative solutions and value-added approaches.
• Provide commercial, pragmatic client guidance and strategy.
• Prepare case analyses, documentation and cost estimates.
• Meet target hours and record time consistently.
• Monitor WIP and billing against budgets and arrangements.
• Contribute to Know How and precedent development.

Skills

Trust disputes

Time management

Initiative

Interpersonal skills

Education

Qualified lawyer (solicitor or barrister) in a common law jurisdiction

Job description

Associate (contentious)

Application Deadline: 26 November 2026

Department: Private Client and Trusts: Advisory and Dispute Resolution

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: Guernsey

Reporting To: Partner

Description

We are seeking a motivated and skilled (contentious) Associate to join our Private Client and Trusts team. Renowned for our expertise in complex international trust and private wealth litigation, we act for leading financial institutions, non-institutional clients and high net-worth individuals. The successful candidate will play a key role in advising and representing clients in connection with a wide range of private wealth and trust disputes, being integral in continuing to build our successful practice.

Key Responsibilities

Professional/Technical Advice

• To support and participate in the successful growth of the firm's Private Client and Trusts practice and deliver a consistently excellent level of service to the firm’s clients;
• To advise and represent clients in connection with a wide range of international private wealth and trusts disputes, assisting in the preparation and management of complex litigation cases from initial instructions through to substantive hearings;
• Conduct legal research and identify the legal and factual issues in cases;
• Help to implement a clear plan for how each client’s aims can be achieved;
• Draft complex documents, including advice, correspondence, evidence and pleadings with accuracy and appropriate content;
• Be proactive and creative when developing or finding solutions to problems and methods of working. Add value through innovative ideas and approaches;
• Approach issues with good commercial sense and provide solutions which are pragmatic;
• Guide clients on strategy relating to the particular matter they are advising on, meeting client needs or reacting quickly to changing requirements;
• Prepare case analyses, supporting documentation and cost estimates;
• Take responsibility for meeting target hours and recording time consistently;
• Effectively monitor WIP and billing against cost estimates and agreed budgets and billing arrangements;
• Contribute to the development of Know How and precedents when drafting documents.

Business Development

• Build and maintain relationships with clients and intermediaries, to help retain and attract more work into the business. Actively contribute to the development of clients and contacts for the whole firm;
• Take a proactive role in developing relationships with key clients. Work with others to ensure a cross-departmental approach is taken to client management. Recognise and exploit cross-selling opportunities;
• Have a good understanding of activities and services of competitors and have mechanisms in place to keep up to date;
• Clearly understand the firm's strategy and look for ways that the department can work with other groups to further develop opportunities;
• Participate effectively as a member of the team involved in winning business;
• Play an active role in the firm's NextGen and CSR initiatives and encourage those within the team to get involved;
• Actively promote the firm's public profile and brand.

Training, Supervision and Development

• Support Senior Associates and Partners in the management and training of Trainees/Paralegals;
• Delegate and manage the work of Trainees/Paralegals appropriately and monitor the progression of work, providing appropriate guidance when required;
• Respect and encourage the contribution of Trainees/Paralegals and support staff. Motivate such colleagues through recognition, praise and mentoring;
• Participate in the firm's internal and external training programmes;
• Working with colleagues from other teams and other offices on multi-disciplinary and cross-jurisdictional matters;
• Help sustain a participative, happy and productive work environment;
• Constantly look for ways to develop own skills and knowledge.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

We are looking for applicants who are qualified lawyers (solicitor or barrister, qualified in a common law jurisdiction) with up to 6 years' PQE. They will be able to demonstrate that they are:

• A resourceful and dedicated team player with knowledge and experience of and an interest in trust disputes and private client law;
• In possession of excellent time management and organisation skills. with good attention to detail and drafting skills;
• Able to demonstrate high levels of initiative and motivation, but also work closely with other team members in a fast-paced environment;
• Professional and client focussed with exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.