Associate/Legal Director

Thorntons Law LLP; Dundee; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid Working

39 Days Annual Leave

Contributory Pension Scheme

Private Medical Insurance

Cycle to Work

Job summary

Thorntons Law LLP in Dundee is seeking an ambitious Associate or Legal Director to join our Private Client team. You’ll work closely with Partners on complex estates, trusts, and wealth management matters, building relationships with clients and colleagues while mentoring junior lawyers.

We offer a supportive environment with growth opportunities, a flexible hybrid working pattern, and a range of benefits designed to support work-life balance and career development.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to advise on complex estates, trusts and wealth management matters.
• Confidence in managing files independently while working collaboratively with a team.
• Excellent communication and client-focused approach.

Responsibilities

• Manage a varied caseload – advising individuals, families and trustees on estates, trusts and wealth management.
• Take the lead on complex work – high-value estates and trust matters with Partners.
• Mentor and support junior lawyers and paralegals; contribute to team development.
• Build strong client relationships with clear, empathetic advice aligned to clients’ goals.
• Contribute to growth – identify opportunities for the department and client development.
• Drive innovation – adopt new technologies and smarter ways of working.

Skills

Estate, trusts & wealth management

Job description

At Thorntons Law, every moment matters. Join our Private Client team and you’ll feel inspired. You’ll feel connected. You’ll feel like you belong. And it all begins from the moment you join us.

That’s because we’ve created a different kind of law firm. Here, you’ll build relationships with clients and colleagues that really last. You’ll help shape what happens now, and what comes next. And we’ll support and encourage you to be the best you can be.

This is what life at Thorntons is all about. And this is your moment to be part of it.

About the role

Shape your career in a leading Private Client team at one of Scotland’s most respected full-service law firms.

We’re looking for an ambitious Associate or Legal Director to join our highly regarded Private Client team in Dundee. This is an excellent opportunity to work closely with Partners, lead on complex client matters, and play a key role in the continued growth and development of the team.

We’re committed to supporting the right person to develop their skills and take on increasing responsibility. For someone with the right ambition and potential, there is definite scope for progression as you take on greater responsibility and your career develops. You’ll have the opportunity to build on your experience, make a real contribution to the team and develop your career within a supportive and forward-looking environment.

Our Private Client team has recently been recognised in the 2026 Chambers High Net Worth Guide, with our Dundee, Angus and Fife practice achieving Band 1 status, a recognition of the quality of our people, our work and the client relationships we build.

It’s about:

• Managing a varied caseload - Advising individuals, families, and trustees on wills, estate planning, inheritance tax, powers of attorney, trusts, and wider private wealth matters.
• Taking the lead on complex work - Handling high-value and technical estates and trust matters with confidence and expertise, while working closely with colleagues and Partners.
• Supporting and mentoring - Guiding more junior lawyers and paralegals, sharing your knowledge, and contributing to the development of a collaborative and high-performing team.
• Building strong client relationships - Delivering clear, empathetic, and commercially aware advice tailored to clients’ personal and financial goals.
• Contributing to growth - Playing an active role in business development, developing client relationships, and helping to identify and drive new opportunities for the department.
• Driving innovation - Embracing new technologies and smarter ways of working to enhance efficiency, develop our services, and deliver an excellent client experience.

What you’ll need

• A proven ability to advise on complex estates, trusts, and wealth management matters.
• Confidence in managing files independently while working collaboratively as part of a supportive team.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with a client-focused and empathetic approach.
• A proactive and strategic mindset, with an interest in contributing to business growth and the wider development of the team.
• A collaborative, innovative attitude and commitment to the highest professional standards.
• The ambition to develop your career, take on greater responsibility, and make a meaningful contribution to the continued success of the team.

Why Thorntons

• A firm with real strength, depth, national ambition and international ambition
• A supportive environment where you’ll be encouraged to develop your skills, pursue your ambitions and make your mark.
• A culture built on collaboration, integrity, and doing the right thing.
• A supportive environment where you’ll be encouraged to develop your skills, pursue your ambitions and make your mark.
• The opportunity to work alongside experienced Private Client lawyers on high-quality and interesting work, within a team that values collaboration and knowledge sharing.

What we offer

We offer much more than just a competitive salary, and we’re committed to looking after our people in every way. Here’s just some of the benefits available:

• 39 Days Annual Leave (includes 5 fixed public holidays)
• Contributory Pension Scheme with salary exchange
• Private Medical Insurance
• Critical Illness Cover
• Income Protection Cover
• Group Life Assurance
• Exceptional maternity, paternity, partner and adoption leave packages
• Health care cash plan to support everyday health expenses
• Free Legal fees for moving home and life planning
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Retail Discounts
• Hybrid Working

Access to a wide range of opportunities to build your expertise and advance your career, through courses, specialist accreditations, training, or business skills development.

Belonging

At Thorntons, we embrace diversity and are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.

As a Disability Confident employer, we want to ensure that everyone has a positive experience when applying to join us. If you have a disability or are neurodivergent and need any adjustments during the recruitment process, just let us know - we’ll do everything we can to support you.

We work flexibly to meet the needs of our clients and our people. While not every role is the same, most offer a hybrid working pattern. We’ll work with you to agree the right arrangement that supports you, the role, and our clients.