Head of Contentious Probate - Lead Growth to Partnership

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

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