Associate (non-contentious)

Collas Crill; St Peter Port; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Job summary

Collas Crill in Guernsey seeks an Associate (non-contentious) to join its Private Client & Trusts team. You will draft offshore trusts and foundations and related deeds, and supervise trainees and paralegals while delivering non-contentious advice to institutional and private clients.

The role emphasizes client advisory work, collaboration with partners, and development of Know How. A minimum of 1 year PQE in offshore trust drafting is required.

Qualifications

• Qualified lawyer with 1+ year PQE in offshore trusts and foundations drafting and legal opinions.
• Experience advising on non-contentious matters for institutional and private clients.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice on offshore trusts, foundations, and supplementary deeds.
• Draft documents, deeds, and opinions with attention to costs and budgets.
• Supervise trainees and paralegals; mentor junior team members.
• Develop client relationships and identify cross-department opportunities.
• Contribute to Know How and precedents for the team.
• Work with partners to manage workflows and billing.

Skills

Offshore trusts

Foundations drafting

Legal opinions

Client advisory

Leadership

Education

Qualified lawyer (Solicitor/Barrister)

Job description

Associate (non-contentious)

Application Deadline: 26 November 2026

Department: Private Client and Trusts: Advisory and Dispute Resolution

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Guernsey

Reporting To: Partner

Description

Our leading Private Client & Trusts practice in Guernsey is seeking an associate to join their award winning team. Within the wider Private Client team, this role will predominantly be working on non-contentious matters with 3 partners, senior associates and associates. They are looking for an established and experienced associate who can provide legal advice on a wide range of non-contentious matters to institutional and private clients, and oversee the work of trainees and paralegals.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice to clients in relation to the drafting of offshore trusts and foundations and supplemental deeds (such as DORAs, instruments of appointment, indemnities, assignments and novations) and legal opinions;
• Be assertive and creative when developing or finding solutions to problems and methods of working. Add value through innovative ideas and approaches;
• Guide clients on strategy relating to the particular matter you are advising on, meeting client needs or reacting quickly to changing requirements. Recognise the implication of changes in transactions and draft amendments to documents accurately;
• Prepare case analyses and supporting documentation with cost estimates. Confidently discuss fees with clients. Be confident in discussions with matter partner about appropriate cost budgets and billing;
• Effectively monitor WIP and amounts billed against cost estimates and agreed budgets and billing arrangements;
• Contribute to the development of Know How and precedents when drafting documents;
• Act as a main point of contact with clients and 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;
• Play an active role in the Firm's CSR initiatives and encourage those within the team to get involved;
• Actively promote the Firm's public profile.
• Support partners in the management and training of paralegals and trainees;
• Demonstrate effective supervision and guidance to junior members of the team, helping them to manage their workload and delegate when necessary;
• Help create a participative and productive work environment;
• Respect and encourage the contribution of support staff. Encourage and support others to make the best of their abilities. Motivate colleagues through recognition, praise and mentoring.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Candidates will be a qualified lawyer (solicitor or barrister, qualified in a common law jurisdiction) with a minimum of 1 year's post qualification experience in the drafting of offshore trusts and foundations and supplemental deeds (such as DORAs, instruments of appointment, indemnities, assignments and novations) and legal opinions. The successful candidate will also have a good understanding of trustee fiduciary duties.

It would be useful but is not essential for the successful candidate to be able to incorporate and advise upon a private trustee structure, to set up and advise upon philanthropic structures, and understand momentous decision applications.

Benefits

Everyone at Collas Crill has the opportunity to develop their skills through quality work opportunities, supported by professional training delivered in-house or by external providers, mentoring and support.

We want you to develop and share your ideas. This ensures that we foster an innovative and collaborative working environment that deliver constructive and realistic solutions to our clients.

Collas Crill is a flexible company, encouraging staff to develop their careers in the way that suits them best. We are proud to offer flexible working with excellent technology to support remote working.