Contentious Private Wealth/Contentious Probate Associate

JMC Legal Recruitment Limited; City Of London; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

JMC Legal Recruitment Limited is seeking a Contentious Probate/Private Wealth Disputes Solicitor to join a leading West End firm. The role offers exposure to high-quality inheritance, trust and estate disputes with significant client contact and early responsibility.

Applicants at 1-3 PQE will benefit from a supportive private wealth team, opportunities for progression and involvement in business development, with remuneration reflecting the work and client following.

Qualifications

• 1-3 PQE solicitor in England & Wales with experience in private wealth disputes.
• Experience handling own caseload of contentious probate matters.
• Strong drafting, analytical and technical legal skills.
• Excellent client care and communication abilities.
• Well organised with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
• Commercially minded with practical dispute resolution approach.

Responsibilities

• Handle a varied caseload of contentious probate, inheritance and trust disputes.
• Draft court documents and conduct legal research.
• Liaise with counsel and experts; attend mediations and support litigation to trial.
• Contribute to development of the department and client relationships.

Skills

Drafting

Analytical ability

Legal research

Client communication

Education

ACTAPS/STEP membership

Job description

Contentious Probate/Private Wealth Disputes Solicitor | 1-3 PQE | Leading West End Firm

Are you a Private Wealth Disputes Solicitor looking to develop your career within a growing specialist practice? This is an excellent opportunity to join a highly regarded West End law firm with an established reputation in private client work, as it continues to invest in and expand its Contentious Probate offering.

The team is looking to attract an ambitious and commercially minded solicitor, initially at 1-3 PQE, although applications are welcomed from lawyers at all levels. You'll gain exposure to high-quality and often complex inheritance, trust and estate-related disputes, with direct client contact, early responsibility and excellent support from experienced colleagues.

For more senior lawyers, there is also scope to play a significant role in shaping the department's future, with remuneration and progression reflecting the work generated, client following and business development contribution.

The Firm

This highly regarded West End law firm has been advising private clients, businesses and entrepreneurs for over 170 years and has built an enviable reputation for combining premium legal work with a highly collegiate culture. Relationships sit at the heart of the firm's approach, resulting in a loyal client base and a significant amount of repeat business.

The firm has a particularly strong private client offering, advising high-net-worth individuals, families and business owners on a broad range of wealth, succession and personal matters. Its Contentious Probate team works on complex and sensitive disputes involving estates, trusts, inheritance and family wealth, often alongside colleagues across the wider Private Wealth practice.

The firm is entering an exciting period of strategic growth, actively investing across a number of practice areas and attracting senior lawyers from leading City and West End firms. Partners benefit from a genuinely collaborative environment where cross-referrals are encouraged and long-term client relationships are prioritised.

The Role

You will join a growing Private Wealth Disputes team handling a varied caseload of contentious probate, inheritance and trust-related matters.

• Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 claims
• Challenges to the validity of wills
• Proprietary estoppel claims
• Trust and executor disputes
• Constructive trust and wider property disputes
• Removal and replacement of executors and trustees
• Estate administration disputes
• Mediation, settlement negotiations and other forms of alternative dispute resolution

You will take responsibility for your own matters, with involvement in drafting court documents, conducting legal research, preparing witness evidence, liaising with counsel and experts, attending mediations and supporting litigation through to trial where required.

The team recognises that candidates may not have experience across every aspect of contentious private wealth work, with appropriate supervision and support provided. The role offers excellent exposure to a specialist area of disputes work, alongside direct client contact and the opportunity to develop your technical expertise.

For more experienced candidates, there is scope to take on a more prominent role in the department's development, contribute to marketing and business development initiatives and help build its referral network and client base.

The Candidate

• 1-3 PQE Solicitor in England & Wales, although applications are welcomed from candidates at all levels
• Experience handling your own caseload of private wealth disputes or contentious probate matters
• Strong drafting, analytical and technical legal skills
• Excellent client care and communication abilities
• Well organised, with the ability to manage competing priorities and court deadlines
• Commercially minded, with a practical approach to dispute resolution
• Comfortable working independently and collaboratively within a team
• An interest in contributing to the department's marketing and business development activities

Experience of mediation, wider forms of alternative dispute resolution and varied private wealth disputes would be advantageous. Membership of ACTAPS or STEP, or a willingness to work towards relevant specialist qualifications, would also be welcomed.

For more senior applicants, an established referral network, professional following or demonstrable business development capability will be particularly attractive.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a growing specialist disputes practice, offering high-quality work, strong support and genuine scope for progression. Whether you're looking to develop your expertise at the junior level or bring an established practice and help shape the department's future, the firm is keen to hear from ambitious lawyers at all stages of their careers.