Disputed Wills Trusts and Estates Senior Solicitor

Weightmans; Manchester; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Weightmans in Manchester is seeking a Solicitor with a strong background in contentious trusts and probate to join our Disputed Wills, Trusts and Estates team. You will assist partners, manage your caseload, and supervise juniors while engaging in conferences, client meetings and court appearances.

The role requires a genuine interest in private client contentious work, flexibility, and the ability to work to deadlines.

Qualifications

• At least 5 years’ PQE in private client or contentious trusts and probate.
• Qualified solicitor with ACTAPS accreditation preferred.
• Exclusive focus on contentious probate work.
• Ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure.
• Strong litigation experience and client-focused approach.

Responsibilities

• Assist partners with their caseloads in a busy contentious probate practice.
• Proactively manage own caseload with limited supervision and supervise junior staff.
• Draft and perform legal research and investigations.
• Attend conferences, court and client meetings as required.
• Engage in business development and profile-raising initiatives.
• Work across Manchester/Newcastle/Leeds offices when needed and report to Ben Wilson.

Job description

Our Disputed Wills, Trusts and Estates team is one of the leading private wealth disputes groups across the UK. Our multiple award-winning department and people are ranked across both Chambers & Partners and the Legal 500 for their specialist expertise in contentious trusts and estates work. This is therefore an excellent opportunity to develop and continue your career in a market-leading contentious trusts and probate team and work alongside PartnerBen Wilson, who is a ranked individual in this field.

Our team has experience in some of the most high-value and complex disputes in the country, extending to multi-jurisdictional disputes. We have specialist expertise inwill validity claims and challenges, trust disputes, claims involving the administration of estates, proprietary estoppel, Inheritance Act claims, professional negligence claims and disputes involving trustees, executors and beneficiaries. We are regularly instructed by high net worth individuals, landowners, executors, beneficiaries and trustees, trusts, local authorities, charities and charitable trusts, community interest companies, solicitors, financial advisors and accountants.

Our team is supported by a national network with offices in Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow, Leeds, Leicester, London, Newcastle and Nottingham, giving us national coverage for private client services. We are also supported and complimented by a number of non-contentious specialist STEP qualified lawyers and a specialist Court of Protection team. As part of a full service firm, we are able to provide top quality private client advice alongside essential corporate, employment, tax and property advice and support.

This is a chance to join a specialist and experienced team exclusively working in the contentious probate arena and handling a wide variety of work types within that sphere.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Assisting the partners with their caseloads
• Pro-actively manage your own caseload with limited supervision
• Supervise more junior members of the team
• Draft and perform legal research, investigations, etc
• Attend conferences, court and client meetings
• Communicate with clients, counsel and other parties
• Involvement in business development (ConTrA, ACTAPS, STEP, NCPG etc) and profile raising initiatives as well as alignment to relevant segment/sector groups
• Preferably work across our Manchester/Newcastle/Leeds offices directly reporting to Ben Wilsonbut also attend the firm’s other offices as necessary from time to time
• Complete client and internal MI procedures
• Achieve set financial and chargeable targets
• Ensure relevant deadlines, quality measures and KPIS are adhered to
• Comply with relevant policies and procedures
• Work in accordance with Weightmans’ values

This list is not intended to be exhaustive and you will be expected to perform other duties and have other responsibilities that fall within the wider remit of the role.

About You

You will have previous experience as a Solicitor and a genuine and demonstrable interest in the above area of work. As the role is varied, we are looking for you to have a flexible approach to the work you do and be able to adapt to different tasks. We also require you to have:

• Have at least 5 years’ PQE or equivalent
• Have a strong interest in private client work and specifical contentious trusts and probate work
• Be working exclusively as a contentious probate lawyer
• Ability to navigate emotionally charged matters
• Have obtained, or be willing to work towards, ACTAPS accreditation
• Have an enthusiasm for attending contentious probate specific events throughout the country and abroad
• Extensive litigation experience with proven technical ability and record of achievement
• Ability to work to deadlines / targets, to prioritise and manage a caseload and deliver effective solutionsAbility to work well as part of a team and on your own initiative with a positive attitude
• A commercial, solution-driven and client-focused approach
• Strong legal and analytical skills with an eye for detail
• Excellent organisation and time-management skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Flexible approach and agile working
• Excellent IT skills

Why work for us

Come and join ouraward-winningorganisation and be part of a team where people truly matter.

Weightmansis a Leading national law firm, with strong international capabilities.

Weightmans has been recognised as a leading employer for the 19th consecutive year at Britain’sTop Employers awards, and rankingtop 10in the list, the firm has also secured top positions in Chambers UK.

Join Weightmans as we continue our journey to becoming one of theUK’s top 30 law firms.

Why work for us? Take a look:Work for Weightmans: voted a top employer | Weightmans

This link contains information regarding Culture, Benefits, D&I, Recruitment Agency PSL/Non PSL and Eligibility to work in the UK information.

Work for a firm where people matter – work for Weightmans

Curious about what is it like to work at our firm? Visit ourLife at Weightmanspage for insights into our employee initiatives, responsible business commitments and much more!