Associate - Private Client Advisory

Birketts LLP; Norwich; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private Healthcare

Long Service holiday awards

Staff Profit Share

Life Assurance

Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Leave

Subsidised gym membership

Electric car scheme

Job summary

Birketts LLP in Norwich is seeking an experienced Associate to join its Private Client Advisory team. The role involves drafting legal documents, providing tax and succession planning advice while managing client relationships.

The ideal applicant will have 3-6 years PQE and strong attention to detail, with proficiency in Microsoft Office tools. This position includes a hybrid working model after the probation period, which is full-time in the office.

Qualifications

• 3-6 years' post-qualification experience in a relevant field.
• Proficient in using Microsoft Word, Excel, time recording software, and case management systems.
• Commitment to providing excellent client service.

Responsibilities

• Draft and negotiate contracts and legal documents.
• Provide taxation and succession planning advice to clients.
• Act as a key point of contact for clients.
• Participate in marketing and networking initiatives.
• Demonstrate strong financial performance.

Skills

Strong legal and commercial judgement

Managing time and workload efficiently

Business development through events and networking

High-quality client service

Attention to detail

Microsoft Office proficiency

Education

Qualified Solicitor (3-6 years PQE)

Job description

The team you will join

Our Private Client Advisory team sits within the wider Private Client Division. The team act as trusted advisers to individuals, families, trustees, family or owner‑run businesses and trust companies both in the UK and internationally. They place particular priority on continuity and fostering close long‑term relationships with contacts and clients in order to provide practical advice and commercial solutions on a very wide variety of tax, trust and estate planning situations that arise.

The work you will be doing

You will be responsible for:

• Drafting and negotiating on relevant contracts, documents, advice notes, letters and correspondence tailored to the client’s individual needs and requirements
• Providing taxation and succession planning advice to a broad range of clients, including those with a high net worth comprised of a mix of relievable and non‑relievable assets
• Drafting Wills, trust documents, LPAs, deeds, advice notes, letters and correspondence tailored to the client’s individual needs and requirements
• Dealing with estate administration
• Acting as a key point of contact for clients, building trusted relationships, and identifying opportunities to add value
• Participating in marketing and networking initiatives
• Ownership of personal financial performance, demonstrating accountability and a commercial mindset

Please note that this job profile is not an exhaustive list of duties but merely an outline of the key components of the role. You may be required by your line manager to take on additional responsibilities when requested.

What we are looking for

Birketts has designed a 'Talent Management Framework' which provides a career structure that will help us develop, retain and reward talented people. As an Associate, we typically expect candidates to have between 3-6 years PQE.

• Applies strong legal and commercial judgement, researches precedents effectively, and drafts complex documents with appropriate senior guidance
• Manages time recording, billing support and workload efficiently to meet financial targets and maximise fee recovery
• Actively supports business development through events, pitches and networking, building profile and identifying opportunities via firm and client relationships
• Delivers high‑quality client service with minimal supervision, providing timely, accurate advice and demonstrating strong understanding of client needs and priorities
• Manages time reliably, communicates proactively, embraces feedback, and demonstrates a collaborative, adaptable and positive "can‑do" approach
• Consistently meets compliance requirements by completing reviews and reports on time, adhering to risk management best practices, understanding Lexcel standards, and completing all mandatory training
• Strong attention to detail to produce work documentation which is consistently of a high standard
• Professional integrity and a commitment to providing excellent client service
• To be competent in using Microsoft Word, Excel, time recording software, case management, Outlook and digital dictation

Any information provided in relation to PQE should be used for guidance only and will not be determinative in the recruitment decision. Applicants will be considered on their individual merits.

Hybrid Working

Birketts is a flexible business which has embraced a hybrid working model where our colleagues enjoy a mix of home and office working. During your 6 month probation period, there will be a requirement to be in the office full time whilst you are developing in the role. Once you have successfully passed probation, this role attracts a split of 60% office days and 40% working from home days per week.

We welcome applications from people looking for flexible, agile, and part‑time roles and we are happy to explore your preferred working patterns as part of your application.

Benefits

As a Birketts colleague, you will be eligible to receive a wide range of benefits:

• Long Service holiday award - 1 extra week every 10 years continuous service
• Private Healthcare with BUPA (offered after probation is passed)
• Staff Profit Share and Individual Performance Bonus Scheme
• Salary sacrifice (Pensions, Staff Profit Share)
• Life Assurance - 4 x salary / Permanent Health Insurance
• Paid CSR Day
• Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Leave
• Subsidised gym membership
• Electric car scheme
• Dress for your Day Policy

You can find out more on our website: https://www.birketts.co.uk/recognition-reward-benefits/

Inclusivity and Culture

At Birketts, our culture is driven by ambition and a commitment to positively impact all the communities we serve. We are dedicated to the success, development, and wellbeing of our colleagues, helping them achieve their goals and seize the opportunities that come with our growth.

Birketts is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our policy is unequivocal: we do not tolerate discrimination based on age, disability, sex, race, religion or belief, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, or sexual orientation.

We pride ourselves on being an inclusive organisation that actively promotes equality of opportunity for all, valuing the right mix of talent, skills, and potential. We welcome applications from a diverse range of candidates, and selection for roles is based solely on individual merit.

If you require this advert in an accessible format, please visit https://diversityjobsgroup.com/company/birketts/

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

At Birketts, we recognise the evolving role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the legal profession and recruitment. We welcome innovation and understand that candidates may use AI tools to support their job applications. However, we expect all applicants to use AI responsibly and ethically.

Our expectations regarding AI use in applications

• Your application should reflect your own voice, experiences, and insights. AI may assist in structuring or refining your responses, but it must not replace your personal input.
• Do not use AI to misrepresent your qualifications, experiences, or skills. Any form of exaggeration or fabrication may result in rejection from the process.
• If you have used AI tools to assist with your application, be prepared to discuss how and why you used them during the interview process.
• Do not submit content generated by AI tools that may include personal or sensitive data not intended for public disclosure.
• AI-generated content should be reviewed and edited by you to ensure accuracy, relevance, and alignment with the role and our firm’s values.

We are committed to fair and inclusive recruitment practices. The use of AI should enhance, not compromise, your application. We encourage candidates to demonstrate critical thinking, commercial awareness, and a genuine interest in our firm.

If you have any questions about our expectations or the use of AI in your application, please contact our Talent Acquisition Team via [e-mail]