Private Client Principal Solicitor

Realm Recruit; Manchester; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Firm-wide bonus

Generous pension

Five weeks’ annual leave

Flexible benefits package

Employee assistance programme

Enhanced family-forming benefits

Income protection and life assurance

Flexible benefits package

Employee assistance programme

Clear route to partnership

Job summary

A prominent recruitment agency is seeking a Senior Private Client Solicitor to join a highly regarded national team in Manchester. This Principal Associate role involves advising high- and ultra-high-net-worth clients, running a high-value caseload, and supervising junior lawyers. This position offers a transparent pathway to partnership, 50% hybrid working, and a competitive salary and benefits package including a firm-wide bonus, generous pension, and enhanced family-forming benefits.

Qualifications

• 9+ years’ PQE in private client work.
• Experience at a large regional or City firm.
• Strong technical grounding across estate planning, trusts, and taxes.
• Comfortable advising HNW and UHNW clients on complex matters
• Confident running your own caseload while supervising and mentoring junior lawyers
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex issues clearly
• Organised, self-managed, and methodical in approach
• A collaborative team player who enjoys taking on responsibility and new challenges

Responsibilities

• Advising on estate and succession planning.
• Handling estate administration for high-value estates.
• Supervising junior team members.
• Drafting complex Wills
• Advising trustees on powers and duties
• Establishing and administering trusts
• Handling estate administration for high-value estates
• Supervising junior team members and supporting their development
• Working alongside partners on complex and high-profile matters

Skills

PQE in private client work

Technical grounding in estate planning

Advising HNW and UHNW clients

Excellent communication skills

Supervising junior lawyers

Job description

• Principal Associate role advising high- and ultra-high-net-worth clients
• Clear pathway to partnership in a top-tier private client team
• 50% hybrid working with a market-leading salary and benefits package

This is a standout opportunity for a Senior Private Client Solicitor to join a highly regarded, national private client team in Manchester that is continuing to grow.

You’ll run your own high-value caseload while also supervising junior lawyers and working closely with partners on complex, technical matters. The work is broad and sophisticated, covering estate and succession planning, trusts, tax, and asset structuring for high- and ultra-high-net-worth individuals. You’ll regularly collaborate with colleagues across other practice areas, as well as external advisers such as accountants, financial advisers, and family offices.

For the right person, this role offers genuine long-term progression, with a realistic route to partnership in a collaborative, ambitious environment.

Who we’re looking for

• 9+ years’ PQE in private client work
• Experience gained at a large regional or City firm
• Strong technical grounding across estate planning, trusts, inheritance tax and capital gains tax
• Comfortable advising HNW and UHNW clients on complex matters
• Confident running your own caseload while supervising and mentoring junior lawyers
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex issues clearly
• Organised, self-managed, and methodical in approach
• A collaborative team player who enjoys taking on responsibility and new challenges

What you’ll be doing

• Advising on estate and succession planning
• Working on family investment companies and partnership structures
• Advising on inheritance tax and capital gains tax
• Drafting complex Wills
• Advising trustees on powers and duties
• Establishing and administering trusts
• Handling estate administration for high-value estates
• Supervising junior team members and supporting their development
• Working alongside partners on complex and high-profile matters

Salary & Benefits

• 50% home / 50% office working over a two-week period
• Firm-wide bonus paid equally to all staff, linked to financial performance
• Generous pension with salary sacrifice options
• Five weeks’ annual leave, with the option to buy or sell an additional week
• Additional paid leave for life events such as moving house or religious holidays
• Enhanced family-forming benefits, including extended maternity, adoption and shared parental pay
• Income protection and life assurance
• Flexible benefits package allowing you to tailor rewards to suit you
• Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support
• A clear, transparent route to partnership for high performers

Contact Kelly Reid

📩 [e-mail]

📞 03300 245 606

Kelly specialises in senior private client roles across the North West and can give you a clear view on how this opportunity compares to other Principal Associate and partnership-track roles in the North West.