Family Senior Associate

JMC Legal Recruitment; England; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading law firm in Milton Keynes is seeking a Senior Family Associate to spearhead the launch of a new office. You will manage private family law cases, mentor team members, and develop local professional relationships. This role offers significant autonomy, a pathway to partnership, and access to work from established offices, ensuring stability and growth. Join a specialized firm recognized for its strong regional presence and a commitment to professional development that fosters success and collaboration.

Benefits

Attractive bonus scheme over 20%

Modern and flexible culture

Excellent long-term prospects

Qualifications

• Senior family lawyer with strong experience in private law and complex cases.
• Confident in handling contested family law matters and advising clients.
• Interest in mentoring and leading a team in a new office.

Responsibilities

• Lead the launch and operation of the Milton Keynes office.
• Manage a high-quality private family caseload and build a practice.
• Develop local relationships and contribute to firm-wide initiatives.

Skills

Private family law experience

Business development skills

Leadership qualities

Collaborative work approach

Experience with complex finances

Job description

Family Senior Associate / HoD | 6+ PQE | Milton Keynes

An exemplarysenior opportunity to spearhead the opening of a new Milton Keynes office for a highly regarded, specialist family law firm. This role combines immediate leadership responsibility with the backing of an established, Legal 500-recognised platform and a clearly defined, accelerated route to partnership.

What You'll Be Doing

You will take ownership of establishing and developing the firm's presence in Milton Keynes, supported from day one by a strong internal workflow and a trusted regional reputation.

• Acting as the lead family lawyer for the Milton Keynes office, overseeing its launch, growth and day-to-day operation
• Managing a high-quality private family caseload, including financial remedy work, children matters and complex or high-value disputes
• Building and shaping your own practice, supported by existing referral streams, cross-office collaboration and central marketing support
• Working closely with colleagues across the wider firm on contested and strategically sensitive matters
• Developing local relationships with referrers and professionals to strengthen the firm's footprint in the Milton Keynes market
• Playing a key role in the recruitment, supervision and development of future team members
• Contributing to wider firm initiatives as part of a growing, multi-office family practice

About You

You will be a senior family lawyer ready to step into a visible leadership role, with the ambition to build something long-term in a new location.

• Strong experience across private family law, with exposure to complex finances and/or children work
• Confident handling contested cases and advising clients on strategy as well as technical law
• Comfortable taking an active role in business development and growing a personal profile locally
• Collaborative in approach, working closely with colleagues across offices and practice areas
• Natural leadership qualities, with an interest in mentoring and shaping a team
• Commercially minded with a genuine desire to develop and grow a practice
• Motivated by a clear pathway to partnership within a supportive, expanding firm

What's on Offer

You will join a specialist family boutique with a proven track record of successfully launching and scaling new offices across the region.

• The opportunity to lead a brand-new Milton Keynes office within an established specialist family platform
• Immediate access to work generated from existing offices, providing early stability and momentum
• A transparent, fast-tracked route to partnership directly linked to office leadership and growth
• A recognised Legal 500-ranked brand with strong regional credibility in family law
• Exposure to high-quality, often complex and sensitive family matters, including HNW and international work
• A modern, flexible and supportive culture focused on collaboration and long-term development
• An attractive bonus scheme with potential to exceed 20% of base salary
• Excellent long-term prospects within an ambitious and expanding national network

The Firm

You will be joining a specialist family law practice with a strong regional presence and a clear growth strategy. The firm has successfully launched multiple offices across the South and South East and is known for empowering senior lawyers to lead new locations.

Its model combines autonomy with meaningful support, offering strong internal referrals, dedicated marketing resource and a collaborative, partner-led culture. The environment is ambitious yet supportive, providing senior lawyers with both influence and a strong route to long-term leadership.

Apply now or contact Harrison for a confidential discussion.