Head of Private Children

Think Legal Recruitment; Bradford; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious legal recruitment agency is seeking an experienced Legal Director to lead a new private children team in Leeds. The ideal candidate will have 10+ years of PQE, an outstanding reputation, and a passion for family law. This unique opportunity offers the chance to shape the team's culture and strategy, with clear pathways to partnership. The firm offers an attractive salary reflecting exceptional talent and provides a supportive environment to build a market-leading practice.

Benefits

Attractive salary based on experience

Clear pathway to partnership

Supportive team environment

Qualifications

• 10+ years PQE in family law or private children matters.
• Experience mentoring and developing junior lawyers.
• Vision and drive to build a market-leading team.

Responsibilities

• Work on complex private children matters with support.
• Take matters up to interim hearings in court.
• Shape the direction and growth of the team.
• Mentor and develop junior team members.

Skills

Outstanding reputation in private children work

Advocacy experience

Business development experience

Leadership experience

Strong network throughout the region

Education

Qualified Solicitor or Barrister

Job description

Family (Private Children) Legal Director to Partner - Leeds

Solicitor or Barrister

A genuinely unique opportunity to build something exceptional — this isn’t your typical family law role. This is a chance to create and lead what could become the leading private children team in the north, and we’re not exaggerating when we say that’s the mandate you’ll be given.

The Opportunity

We’re working with a practice that’s already unrivalled in the family law space, with pre‑eminent lawyers who are genuinely respected nationwide. But here’s what makes this special: they want someone to build and grow a specialist private children team completely in their own image.

You’ll have genuine scope to shape everything — from the team culture to the service offering, from the processes to the partnerships. It’s rare to find an opportunity where you can build something from the ground up with this level of backing and ambition behind you.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Fee Earning: Working on complex private children matters with the support of a leading practice
• Advocacy: Comfortable taking matters up to interim hearings (and beyond if that’s your preference)
• Strategy and Oversight: Shaping the direction and growth of the team
• Development: Mentoring and developing junior team members – building the next generation of specialists

What We’re Looking For

You’ll be an experienced family lawyer with around 10+ years PQE who has:

• An outstanding reputation in private children work and genuine passion for this area
• Advocacy experience – comfortable in court up to interim hearings
• Business development experience and a strong network throughout the region
• Leadership experience – you’ve developed, mentored and supervised junior lawyers before
• The vision and drive to build something market‑leading

Whether you’re a solicitor or barrister, if you’ve got the expertise and the ambition, we want to hear from you.

What’s On Offer

Location: Leeds – with a leading practice already established and respected

Opportunity: Genuine scope to build and lead the team in your own image with full backing from the firm

Salary: Incredibly attractive and subject to experience – this firm are market leaders when it comes to family lawyer remuneration. They understand that exceptional talent commands exceptional reward.

Progression: Clear pathway to partnership for the right candidate

The Practice: This is already a powerhouse in family law. The lawyers here are genuinely well‑respected nationwide, and the platform is there for you to build something exceptional. What they need is someone with the vision, experience and passion to make it happen.

Ready to discuss what could be a career‑defining move?

Graham Rawlinson
Think Legal Recruitment
[e-mail]

All conversations are completely confidential. Let’s have a proper chat about this opportunity and what you’re looking for next in your career.