Head of Contentious Probate

Realm Recruit; Sheffield; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible hybrid working

Office base in Sheffield, Chesterfield

Director-level appointment potential

Shareholder progression path

Established referral network

Job summary

Realm Recruit is representing a highly regarded regional firm seeking a Head of Contentious Probate to lead an established practice from Sheffield, Chesterfield or Mansfield with hybrid working. You will inherit an existing caseload, manage complex disputes, and steer development toward Director or Partner levels.

You will become the principal contentious probate specialist, growing the team and fostering internal and external referrals while maintaining excellent client service and a

Qualifications

• Significant experience handling contentious probate and trust disputes.
• Independent management of a contentious probate caseload.
• Experience handling complex and high‑value disputes.
• Strong knowledge of contentious trusts, probate and inheritance matters.
• Experience delivering high‑quality contentious probate work.
• Excellent client relationship management and communication skills.
• Strong commercial awareness and professional judgement.
• Ability to develop internal and external professional relationships.
• Confidence working autonomously and taking ownership of a specialist practice.
• Collaborative, approachable and team‑oriented working style.
• Commitment to excellent client service.
• 5+ years' PQE in contentious probate or related litigation.
• Existing referral network or portable following.
• Experience supervising or mentoring junior lawyers.
• Regional, mid‑tier or national private practice background.
• Business development and networking experience.
• Ambition to develop a specialist practice and progress into leadership

Responsibilities

• Taking ownership of an established contentious probate caseload.
• Handling complex will validity disputes and Inheritance Act claims.
• Advising on executor, trustee and beneficiary disputes.
• Managing proprietary estoppel, trust and estate administration disputes.
• Handling related commercial litigation where appropriate.
• Acting as the firm's principal contentious probate specialist.
• Developing the practice and strengthening its market reputation.
• Building referrals from accountants, IFAs, Private Client Solicitors and other introducers.
• Strengthening internal referral relationships across the firm.
• Working with the Head of Dispute Resolution on departmental strategy.
• Supporting and mentoring junior lawyers where appropriate.
• Contributing to business development, fee income and profitability.

Skills

Contentious probate

Caseload management

Business development

Leadership

Referral networks

Mentoring juniors

Client relationships

Commercial awareness

Strategic thinking

Job description

• Take ownership of an established Contentious Probate practice and drive its future growth
• Enjoy autonomy, complex disputes and genuine progression towards Director or Shareholder status
• Join a profitable, growing regional firm offering hybrid working and a supportive culture

Are you an experienced Contentious Probate Solicitor looking to lead a specialist practice, handle complex disputes and make a lasting impact?

This highly regarded regional firm is seeking a Head of Contentious Probate to take ownership of its established offering and lead its continued development.

The role can be based in Sheffield, Chesterfield or Mansfield, with hybrid working and flexibility around your preferred office location.

You’ll inherit an existing caseload of contentious probate matters, supported by established internal referrals, experienced litigation colleagues and a successful Dispute Resolution department.

What makes this opportunity particularly attractive is the autonomy and influence available. You’ll become the firm’s principal contentious probate specialist, managing complex disputes while developing professional referral relationships and growing the practice.

The firm has expanded significantly, investing in technology, infrastructure and its people. Its Dispute Resolution department continues to grow, attracting increasingly sophisticated work.

Career progression is a genuine attraction. Depending on your experience, you could join at Senior Associate, Director or Partner level, with a clear pathway towards Shareholder status.

Despite its growth, the firm retains a friendly, collaborative and non-corporate culture. You’ll work closely with an experienced Head of Dispute Resolution while enjoying the freedom to develop your specialism.

If you’re seeking quality work, practice ownership and long‑term progression, this could be an excellent move.

Who we’re looking for

• Significant experience handling contentious probate and trust disputes (E)
• Ability to independently manage a contentious probate caseload (E)
• Experience handling complex and high‑value disputes (E)
• Strong technical knowledge of contentious trusts, probate and inheritance matters (E)
• Experience delivering high‑quality contentious probate work (E)
• Excellent client relationship management and communication skills (E)
• Strong commercial awareness and professional judgement (E)
• Ability to develop internal and external professional relationships (E)
• Confidence working autonomously and taking ownership of a specialist practice (E)
• Collaborative, approachable and team‑oriented working style (E)
• Commitment to excellent client service (E)
• 5+ years' PQE in contentious probate or related litigation (D)
• Existing referral network or portable following (D)
• Experience supervising or mentoring junior lawyers (D)
• Regional, mid‑tier or national private practice background (D)
• Business development and networking experience (D)
• Ambition to develop a specialist practice and progress into leadership (D)

What you’ll be doing

• Taking ownership of an established contentious probate caseload
• Handling complex will validity disputes and Inheritance Act claims
• Advising on executor, trustee and beneficiary disputes
• Managing proprietary estoppel, trust and estate administration disputes
• Handling related commercial litigation where appropriate
• Acting as the firm's principal contentious probate specialist
• Developing the practice and strengthening its market reputation
• Building referrals from accountants, IFAs, Private Client Solicitors and other introducers
• Strengthening internal referral relationships across the firm
• Working with the Head of Dispute Resolution on departmental strategy
• Supporting and mentoring junior lawyers where appropriate
• Contributing to business development, fee income and profitability

Salary & Benefits

• £70,000–£100,000, depending on experience, seniority and commercial contribution
• Flexible hybrid working
• Choice of Sheffield, Chesterfield or Mansfield office base
• Opportunity to lead an established Contentious Probate practice
• Autonomy over caseload management and practice development
• Potential for immediate Director-level appointment
• Genuine progression towards Shareholder status
• Existing caseload of high‑quality contentious probate disputes
• Established internal referrals and wider litigation expertise
• Experienced support staff and modern IT systems
• Investment in technology, infrastructure and departmental growth
• Friendly, collaborative and non‑corporate culture
• Long‑term stability within a profitable, expanding regional firm

This is an excellent opportunity for a Contentious Probate Solicitor seeking practice ownership, complex work and genuine influence over future growth.

Whether you’re an ambitious Senior Associate or an established Director or Partner looking to develop your practice, we’d love to hear from you.

Contact Bill Szajna-Hopgood
[e-mail]
03300 245 606

While this advert sets out the criteria applicable to each salary band, the salary guidance given is purely indicative. The precise salary offered within that band will ultimately be determined by the hirer, taking into account the individual candidate’s experience, qualifications and overall suitability for the role.