Associate Partner- Wills, Trust & Probate

Lawfront; Sale; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working arrangements

Competitive salary and benefits

Professional development

Job summary

Slater Heelis seeks an ambitious Associate Partner to lead in Wills, Trusts & Probate. You will manage a high-value caseload, advise on estate planning, and drive growth of the department. The role blends leadership with technical excellence and client development.

The ideal candidate has 7+ PQE, STEP desirable, and a track record of mentoring junior lawyers while building strong client/referrer networks. Hybrid working across Sale/Chester supports flexible delivery.

Qualifications

• Qualified Solicitor or Chartered Legal Executive with substantial Private Client experience.
• 7+ years' PQE preferred; equivalent experience considered.
• Extensive expertise in wills, trusts, probate and estate planning.
• Experience managing high-value client work.
• Proven ability to develop client and referrer relationships.
• Strong leadership, supervision and mentoring skills.
• STEP qualification (or working towards) desirable.

Responsibilities

• Manage a high-quality, varied caseload in wills, trusts and estate planning.
• Lead on administration of complex and high-value estates.
• Provide inheritance tax and succession planning advice.
• Create, administer and advise on trusts.
• Advise on Lasting Powers of Attorney and Court of Protection matters.
• Support business owners with succession and wealth preservation planning.
• Develop and maintain relationships with clients and referrers.
• Support Partners in strategic development of the team; mentor junior lawyers and trainees.
• Participate in business development, networking and profile-raising activities.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Business development

Client relationships

Communication

Education

Solicitor or Chartered Legal Executive

Job description

Associate Partner- Wills, Trust & Probate

Associate Partner – Wills, Trusts & Probate

Location: Sale or Chester office

Join a Leading Private Client Team

Slater Heelis is a respected, full-service law firm with a long-established reputation for delivering exceptional legal advice and outstanding client care. Our Wills, Trusts & Probate team is recognised for providing pragmatic, commercially focused and highly personal advice to individuals, families, business owners and high-net-worth clients.

We are seeking an ambitious and experienced Associate Partner to play a key role in the continued success and development of the department.

This is an exciting opportunity for a senior private client lawyer looking to contribute to the strategic growth of the team and further develop their profile within the marketplace.

The Role

As Associate Partner, you will manage a high-quality and varied caseload while supporting the leadership and growth of the department.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Advising clients on all aspects of wills, trusts and estate planning
• Leading on the administration of complex and high-value estates
• Providing inheritance tax and succession planning advice
• Creating, administering and advising on trusts
• Advising on Lasting Powers of Attorney and Court of Protection matters
• Supporting business owners and entrepreneurial clients with succession and wealth preservation planning
• Developing and maintaining strong relationships with clients and professional referrers
• Supporting the Partners in the strategic development of the team
• Mentoring and supervising junior lawyers and trainees
• Playing an active role in business development, networking and profile-raising activities

About You

We are looking for a technically strong and commercially minded private client lawyer who can demonstrate:

• Qualified Solicitor or Chartered Legal Executive with significant experience in Private Client law
• Ideally 7+ years' PQE, although applications from candidates with equivalent experience will be considered
• Extensive expertise in wills, trusts, probate and estate planning matters
• Strong experience managing complex and high-net-worth client work
• A proven ability to develop and maintain client and referrer relationships
• Excellent leadership, supervisory and mentoring skills
• Commercial awareness and a proactive approach to business development
• Strong communication and relationship-building abilities
• STEP qualification (or working towards STEP) would be highly desirable

What We Offer

In return, we offer:

• A genuine opportunity to influence and shape the future growth of the team
• High-quality and stimulating work
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements
• An established client base and strong referral network
• A genuinely collaborative and supportive culture
• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Ongoing investment in professional and personal development

Why Slater Heelis?

At Slater Heelis, we are committed to creating an environment where talented professionals can thrive. We have a supportive and people-focused culture, empowering our lawyers to build rewarding careers while delivering exceptional outcomes for our clients.

If you are an experienced Private Client lawyer looking for your next leadership opportunity, we would be delighted to hear from you.